Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how colonisation shaped Nigeria's modern-day borders, economy, and society.
Key learning points
- Nigeria was an important centre for the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
- The region of modern-day Nigeria was colonised by Britain in the 1800s.
- Natural resources such as oil were exploited by colonisers.
- After independence in 1960, Nigeria has faced political instability and conflict.
- Colonial legacies still shape Nigeria's economy and society.
Keywords
Borders - the dividing lines between two countries
Legacies - something handed down or passed on from one generation to another
Enslaved people - people taken against their will and forced to work for no pay, to obey commands and allowed no freedom
Colonies - countries or areas that are controlled by another country and have people living there from the controlling country
Democracy - where people have a say in how the government of a country is run, usually by voting in elections
Common misconception
That countries are always the same shape and size, with the same borders and the same name throughout their history and that these aspects will never change.
History has shown that in many countries borders move, countries expand or shrink and the name of any given country is not fixed and permanent. These things are often the result of conflict or warfare which causes significant political change.
Teacher tip
Decolonising a geography curriculum should recognise the issues of 'an overarching white world view' resulting from colonialism and imperialism. In teaching about former colonies, ensure the language supports an ethnically diverse classroom.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is Nigeria’s most significant export?
Q2.Which of these describes a challenge Nigeria faces?
Q3.Which city is Nigeria’s commercial hub?
Q4.Nigeria is part of which continent?
Q5.Which sector employs most people in Nigeria?
Q6.Why is Nigeria described as a regional power?
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
Lines dividing countries of regions
Things passed down from the past
Forced labourers with no freedom
Areas ruled by another country
Government by people through voting
Q2.Before colonial rule, Nigeria was made up of:
Q3.Which European country colonised Nigeria?
Q4.How did colonisation change Nigeria’s borders?
Q5.Which statement best reflects what we’ve learned about borders?
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 geography lesson on: Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 geography lessons from the Nigeria: An African superpower? unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.