different tribal groups lived. Northern Nigeria is dominated by Hausa-Fulani people who are predominantly Muslims. The South Eastern part of Nigeria is dominated by Igbo (pronounced as eebo) tribes while the South Western portions are dominated by Yoruba tribes. While the people in southern areas are mostly Christians due to long years of missionary activity, many people still practice tribal religious beliefs. Before a common democratic political system was built, modern Nigeria faced many conflicts between these three regions. Today also, the legacy of colonialism continues in Nigeria because of European control over its natural resources, especially petroleum.

The region of river Niger is one of the most densely populated countries of Africa. This region has suffered from different kinds of colonial rule. From the 16th century onwards, it was a major source of slaves for America. Tribal peasants were captured in the interior of the forests and sold to European slave traders. After slave trade was abolished in 19th century, a new interest developed for colonial powers in the trade of the agricultural produce of this area, especially palm oil and cocoa. The British established their rule over the coastal areas in 1861. They developed Lagos as their centre of administration, trade and education in Western Africa. The struggle against colonialism also started in Lagos and Pan Africanism and Nigerian Nationalism emerged here.

Racism became common in the British colonial empire in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Educated Africans were excluded from the civil service, and there was discrimination against African entrepreneurs. At the same time, the authorities from ruling country gave control to the tribal chiefs and elite and promoted them.

South Nigeria got access to modern education and administrative modernisation but pre-modern traditions continued in the north. Because of this, many differences came up between the two regions. The north was not able to develop a modern educated social class. In 1939, the British also separated the Yoruba and Igbo regions into Western and Eastern Nigeria and encouraged competition and conflict between the three major tribal groups. They followed the policy of ‘divide and rule’ in the country.

A section of western educated intellectuals responded to this policy. They developed the idea of a common Nigerian nation and began to fight the British rule. Herbert Macaulay founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), the first Nigerian political party, in 1923. The NNDP won all the seats in the elections