New
New
Year 8

Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria

I can describe how colonisation shaped Nigeria's modern-day borders, economy, and society.

New
New
Year 8

Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria

I can describe how colonisation shaped Nigeria's modern-day borders, economy, and society.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Nigeria was an important centre for the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
  2. The region of modern-day Nigeria was colonised by Britain in the 1800s.
  3. Natural resources such as oil were exploited by colonisers.
  4. After independence in 1960, Nigeria has faced political instability and conflict.
  5. 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.


To help you plan your year 8 geography lesson on: Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is Nigeria’s most significant export?
Cocoa
Correct answer: Crude oil
Gold
Cotton
Q2.
Which of these describes a challenge Nigeria faces?
A small population
Low levels of biodiversity
Correct answer: Dependence on oil exports
Too much farmland
Q3.
Which city is Nigeria’s commercial hub?
Abuja
Kano
Correct answer: Lagos
Jos
Q4.
Nigeria is part of which continent?
Asia
South America
Correct answer: Africa
Europe
Q5.
Which sector employs most people in Nigeria?
Manufacturing
Correct answer: Agriculture
Oil and gas
Education
Q6.
Why is Nigeria described as a regional power?
It controls other countries
It has a monarchy
Correct answer: It has a large, growing economy
It is a very small country

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:Borders,Lines dividing countries of regions

Lines dividing countries of regions

Correct Answer:Legacies,Things passed down from the past

Things passed down from the past

Correct Answer:Enslaved people,Forced labourers with no freedom

Forced labourers with no freedom

Correct Answer:Colonies,Areas ruled by another country

Areas ruled by another country

Correct Answer:Democracy,Government by people through voting

Government by people through voting

Q2.
Before colonial rule, Nigeria was made up of:
Just one kingdom
Correct answer: Several different ethnic groups and kingdoms
A single empire
Only rural farming villages
Q3.
Which European country colonised Nigeria?
France
Belgium
Portugal
Correct answer: Britain
Q4.
How did colonisation change Nigeria’s borders?
It left them untouched
It united all African countries
It gave control to local leaders
Correct answer: It created new borders that ignored local groups
Q5.
Which statement best reflects what we’ve learned about borders?
Borders are ancient and never change
Borders always match cultural groups
Correct answer: Borders can be changed by history and power
All countries set their own borders