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Year 8 - Geography

Colonial history and legacy of Nigeria

Nigeria: An African superpower?

Unit Summary

This unit teaches pupils about how the physical and human geography of Nigeria has led to its current status within the African continent. Pupils will learn about how people and places differ within Nigeria and how this affects development patterns across the country.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how colonisation shaped Nigeria's modern-day borders, economy, and society.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • 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.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.

Nigeria was an important centre for the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The region of modern-day Nigeria was colonised by Britain in the 1800s.

2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'borders'

the dividing lines between two countries.

3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.

Mistake: 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. Correction: 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.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 Geography guide library.