Fundamental Causes Of The Nigerian Civil War In 1966, And Economic Development In Nigeria Before Independence.

 ------ Comr Abioye Tosin Lawrence ( Mainframe).

Colonial policy of imperial ruler in West Africa dictated the peace and features of economic development in the colonies, The difference in climatic conditions from the southern to northern part of Nigeria makes it possible to have variety of products.

Trade in Palmoil and kernel had started by 1850 in the Oil River area. In 1874, Cocoa introduced to Nigeria from Fernando Po by Squiss Bamego. Later, it became the most important export crop in Western Nigeria and the source of her wealth.

Wild rubbers were trapped before rubber plantations were established rubber processing factory at Benin, Groundnut and cotton are the most important export crops in the northern part of the Country

In 1909, a new type of cotton the North American Allen was introduced and the extension of railways to kano in 1912 made possible an easy transportation of groundnuts and cotton to the coast.

Nigeria is also rich in mineral products. Coal was discovered at Enugu in 1909. Mining started in 1915 when railway had been constructed from Port-Harcourt to Enugu, Tin Ore is mined in Jos.

The second World war gave stimulus to the mining of tin ore in Nigeria when Japan cut off the supply of tin from Malaya to Britain, After many years of expensive prospecting, mining of oil started in 1957, Oil is the most important export product of Nigeria today and it was one of the fundamental causes of the Nigerian Civil War in 1966.

Limestone is available in many parts of the country particularly at Nkalagu, Abeokuta and Sokoto, These provide opportunities for the establishment of cement factories in the areas after independence was achieved.

In order to facilitate easy transport of the agricultural and mineral products to the coast, The colonial government developed means of transport, The railways from Lagos to Ibadan was opened in 1901 and by 1912 it has been extended to kano for easy transportation of exports.

In 1916, the line from Port Harcourt to Enugu was constructed, This enabled easy transportation of Coal, in 1922 an extension line from Enugu was constructed to join the Western line near Kaduna.

The railways acted as an important factor in unifying Northern and Southern Nigeria and in the amalgamation of 1914.

Roads and Bridges  were also constructed to link important towns and also to feed the railways, The first modern road in Nigeria was constructed from Ibadan to Oyo in 1906 and the Cater Bridge which linked Lagos with the mainland was constructed in 1900.

On this more note I hereby call on PMB and Professor Yemi Osibajo to take cursory looks into what facilitates development in Nigeria before independence and not to consider the logic as obsolete or cave age system.

We appreciate development experiencing so far as we expects much more to banish hunger and serves as empowering tools in the development of Youth in the Nation.

By Comrade ATLM,
Prime Mover Global Voice Of The Young Generation.