Colonialism and socio-economic development of African societies: a case study of Hadejia Emirate, Nigeria (1906-1960)
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Date
2015-05
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A thesis submitted to the college of higher degrees and research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of arts in history of Kampala International University
Abstract
This historical study was carried out in Hadejia Emirate of Nigeria to assess the establishment of
colonialism in Nigeria, to examine the social impact of colonialism on Hadeja Emirate, Nigeria,
as well as to analyze the economic impact of colonialism on Hadejia Emirate in Nigeria. Being a
historical study, documentary analyses as well as oral interviews were used. The 53 respondents
who participated in the study were purposively selected on an assumption that they were
knowledgable of the historical events of colonialism in Nigeria, specifically Hadejia Emirate.
These were 26 secondary school teachers of 1-listory, six university lecturers of History, ten
religious leaders, seven political leaders and four traditional leaders. The study took a crosssectional descriptive survey design, using qualitative approach. The interviewees revealed that
colonialism was introduced in Nigeria in the l9~’~ century A.D by the British as a result of the
scramble and partition of Africa. The largest part of northern Nigeria by the 9~ century was part
of the Sokoto Caliphate. The Emirates under Sokoto Caliphate covered a substantial area of
northern Nigeria as a result of a Jihad led by Uthrnan Dan Fodio. Islam and indigenous African
religions were the two religions practiced by the people by the time the British started ruling
Nigeria.With the advent of colonialism, social changes were ushered in including the
establishment of Christianity, European culture, formal schooling, and hospitals, all of which had
both positive and negative impacts. Economically. new cash crops were introduced, textile and
industries were introduced, and the mode of pasterolism was changed. The impacts of all these,
as perceived by the interviewees, were both positive and negative. It was concluded that given
the speed at which the world is moving today in terms of socio-econornic development, the
changes brought by the colonial masters in Hadejia Emirate should receive more praises than
criticisms and hence be adopted with some changes to suit the current trends in science and
technology.
Description
A thesis submitted to the college of higher degrees and research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of arts in history of Kampala International University
Keywords
Colonialism, Socio-economic development, African societies, Hadejia Emirate, Nigeria