Picture this: generations raised on stories painting British rule as a grand civilizing force in Nigeria. But what if those tales hid a storm of violence, manipulation, and lasting scars? Max Siollun's What Britain Did to Nigeria rips away the veil, offering a no-holds-barred look at conquest and control that reshaped a nation.
Britain arrived promising progress, ending slavery and human sacrifice—fair enough. Yet the cost was brutal: extreme violence crushed resistance, ethnic and religious lines were stoked to divide and rule, and ancient laws got bulldozed for foreign systems. Indigenous communities watched their social fabrics tear as colonial officers played power games that echo in modern politics.
Independence came in 1960, but the fallout lingers. Economic woes, political instability—many blame 'homegrown' issues, ignoring how Britain engineered divisions and extracted wealth without building sustainable foundations. Siollun traces these threads with meticulous research, from the 1914 amalgamation to post-colonial tremors, answering why unity feels so fragile.
Unlike stuffy official records, it's written for anyone curious about Nigeria's past—historians, diaspora folks, or everyday readers piecing together identity. Curl up with it on a quiet evening; you'll emerge rethinking headlines about Biafra, oil politics, or elections. It's not just history; it's context for understanding Africa's powerhouse grappling with its shadows.
Grab What Britain Did to Nigeria and arm yourself with truth. Because knowing the roots changes how you see the branches—perfect for book clubs debating empire's legacy or personal dives into colonial history books.
