Nigeria and the Lugardian Hubris

📖 The Scoop

Studies on colonialism especially the British variant of it have tended to underestimate the self-serving aspect of the imperial venture in Nigeria and to highlight its so-called civilizing principles. In the process the lingering destructive effects of the colonial project and its underlying implications for human development and freedom are underplayed. Through a clinical analysis of the elements of British administration, especially the policy of Indirect Rule, the author demonstrates the hypocrisy of the so-called “white man’s burden” and shows how it has been at the root of Nigeria’s disunity and under development. Britain, he argued, could have still ruled the two protectorates that were cobbled together as Nigeria in 1914, as separate countries, with self-governance for the sub–ethnic groups. This might have averted most of the contradictions inherent in the ill-conceived and myopic amalgamation, contradictions that have been tearing the country apart since its inception. He upbraids Nigeria’s power elite and cabal for their vested interest in maintaining a dysfunctional, corrupt and predatory state and in obfuscating structural processes that will drive development and enhance self worth. The book, Lugardian Hubris: Vision, Crises and Prospects has aptly captured the central issues associated with the Nigerian question and renewed debate about why Nigeria, unlike other heterogeneous nations, has failed to forge nationhood to the dreams of its founding fathers. When injustice, corruption, nepotism and bigotry are superimposed on hatred and intolerance, the result is the unfortunate state of apprehension and backwardness Nigeria has found itself—Suleiman E. Bogoro, Professor of Animal Science, Abubakar Tafawa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. Richly detailed and refreshing with new insights, The Lugardian Hubris is a compelling read—Tunde Adeniran, Professor of Political Science & former Minister of Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria and the Lugardian Hubris: Vision, Crises and Prospects is a forceful indictment of Lugard’s indirect rule that wrecked lives and destroyed pristine societies. It is timely and well argued— Okwadike Chukwuemeka Ezeife, PhD (Harvard) and former Governor of Anambra State, South East Nigeria.

Genre: History / Africa / General (fancy, right?)