Nigeria at 100, 1914-2014: Alternative Projections for the Next 100 Years

Abstract

This paper is an examination of the first 100 years of Nigeria between 1914 and 2014. It traces the history of the country from the 1851 attack on Lagos and examines the series of events leading up to the 1914 amalgamation. It argues that the first 100 years have been a mixed bag of good and bad. At the risk of passing judgment on which of the two has surpassed the other, the paper avers that the very fact of the country’s continued existence tells a lot whatever the sentiments may be. In the last 100 years Nigeria has been confronted with many challenges; a lack of unity, a largely dependent socio-economic structure, a culture of corruption and impunity, terrorism and insurgency and poverty among other negative features. The paper comes up with alternative projections for the next 100 years namely, developing and nurturing a culture of oneness, diversifying the economy and dealing decisively with the problems of corruption, poverty and insurgency. The paper advocates among other things that government must muster the necessary political will to make the difficult decisions that will take the country from potential to actualgreatness. The people on their part must make the necessary sacrifices to bring this aboutKeywords: Amalgamation, Colonialism, Alternative Projections, 1914-2014, Nigeria