The Amalgamation of 1914 & The Road to Independence (1960) 🇳🇬

### From British Protectorates to Sovereign Republic! 🇳🇬 **1. The 1914 Amalgamation**: * Prior to 1914, Britain administered the **Northern Nigeria Protectorate** and the **Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Colony of Lagos** separately. * On **1st January 1914**, British Governor-General **Lord Frederick Lugard** united them into one unified country: **Nigeria**! * The name "Nigeria" (Niger Area) was originally suggested in an 1897 Times article by British journalist **Flora Shaw** (who later married Lord Lugard). **2. The Great Nationalist Movement (1920s–1950s)**: Courageous Nigerian intellectuals, journalists, trade unionists, and youth fought tirelessly for independence: * **Herbert Macaulay**: The "Father of Nigerian Nationalism", founder of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP, 1923). * **Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik of Africa)**: Founder of the *West African Pilot* newspaper and leader of the NCNC; became Nigeria’s first President! * **Chief Obafemi Awolowo**: Leader of the Action Group (AG); pioneered free primary education and Africa’s first television station (WNTV) in the Western Region! * **Sir Ahmadu Bello (Sardauna of Sokoto)** & **Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa**: Leaders of the Northern People's Congress (NPC); Balewa became Nigeria’s first Prime Minister at Independence on **1st October 1960**!