Around The World
Nigeria Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Nigeria's history.
500 B.C. - 200 A.D.
Nok culture flourishes. The Nok people create clay figurines of human heads and animals, which are prized today.1472
Portuguese settlers become the first Europeans to live in Nigeria. Other Europeans follow.1800s
The Muslim Fulani empire rules the region.1903
Britain takes control of Nigeria, creating a system of indirect rule through local kings and chiefs.1914
Britain unites the northern and southern regions, forming the Colony of Nigeria.
ELIOT ELISOFON—TIME LIFE PICTURES/GETTY IMAGES
1958
Nigerian Chinua Achebe's “Things Fall Apart” is published.1960
Nigeria gains independence from Britain and joins the United Nations. A new constitution and government are adopted.1966
The military takes control of the government.1967-1970
The eastern region of Nigeria secedes and proclaims itself the Republic of Biafra. This leads to a civil war that kills about 1 million people.1970s
An oil boom occurs. A great surge in world oil prices boosts Nigeria's economy.1979
Nigeria briefly returns to civilian government rule. The military takes over again in 1983.1986
Wole Soyinka is the first African to be honored with the Nobel Prize for literature.
BOB THOMAS—GETTY IMAGES
1996
Nigeria wins the gold medal in soccer in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.1999
Military rule ends. Nigerians vote in free presidential elections.
ISSOUF SANOGO—AFP/GETTY IMAGES