MEANING OF HISTORY

History is coined from a Greek word called Historia. Historia means inquiry or knowledge acquired
through investigation.

History can be defined as the study of the totality of past events, which are written down.

It can also be defined as an academic discipline, which adopts narrative approach to examine and
analyse past events and objectively determine the pattern of cause and effects of history.

The people who study history are called historians.

Herodotus, a historian from Greece who lived in the 5th century B. C., is regarded as the father of
history.

Pre-history refers to the period before writing was known.

TYPES OF HISTORY

History embraces all aspects of human lives. The types of history include:

1. Political history 7. Medical history

2. Social history 8. Diplomatic history
3. Economic history 9. Legal history
4. Cultural history 10. Environmental history
5. Military history 11. Church history
6. gender history 12. Islamic history.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HISTORY AND STORY TELLING

MEANING OF A STORY

A story is an account of an event or sequence of an event which could be imaginary or real.

Storytelling is for entertainment or for teaching morals. A storyteller is the person who tells the
story.

Examples of stories are: stories of Bayagida and Oduduwa, stories of empires, stories of stone Age
and Iron Age, etc

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HISTORY AND STORY TELLING

HISTORY STORYTELLING
1. History is non fictional. Storytelling may or may not be fictional.
2. History is factual. Storytelling is non-factual.
3. History is past in nature. Storytelling is narrative in nature.
4. History is studied for educative purpose. Storytelling is for entertainment.
5. History is always written down. It may or may not be written down.
 6. History is time based. Storytelling is not time based.
7, It is objective. It can be suective.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HISTORY AND STORYTELLING

1. They both express information about past event.
2. They both teach morals.
3. They both entertain.
4. They are involved with heroes and heroines.
5. They are presented by characters.

EVALUATION 1

1. History can be defined as:

a. any story that is properly told.
b. the study of stories.
c. the act of telling stories.
2. History is coined from a Greek word called_____________ and it means ___________
3. _____________ is regarded as the father of history.
a. Herod.
b. Herodotus.
c. Adolf Hitler.
d. Aristotle.
4. The period before the advent of history is called:
a. historic period.
b. pre-history.
c. post history.
d. written history.
5. The person who studies history is called a:
a. historiographer.
b. historian.
c. storyteller.
d. biographer.
6. A story can be defined as:
a. an account of an event whether fiction or non-fiction.
b. a non-fiction account of an event.
c. a fiction account of an event.
d. the study of past events as they relate to man.
7. A major difference between history and storytelling is that:
a. history is factual while storytelling is factual.
b. history is factual while storytelling is non-factual.
c. history is fictional while storytelling is non-fictional.
d. history does not require evidence, while storytelling requires evidence.
SOURCES OF HISTORY

Sources of history also known as historical sources are the working materials a historian uses in
writing about the past. Anything that gives information about the past is a source of history. they
could be oral sources or written sources.

ORAL SOURCES are information passed through the words of the mouth.

WRITTEN SOURCES are documented sources.

Historical sources are classified into three:

1. primary sources
2. secondary sources
3. tertiary sources

PRIMARY SOURCES OF HISTORY

Primary sources are original documents, they give first hand information about an event. They are
usually used to analyse the history of non-literate societies.

TYPES OF PRIMARY SOURCES

1. oral sources
2. artefacts
3. archival materials

IMPORTANCE OF SOURCES OF HISTORY

1. Sources of history throw more light on past events.

2. They help the historian to inquire more into the past of the societies.
3. They help the historian to explain the past.
4. The help the historian to correct wrong ideas about Africa held by the Europeans.

PRIMARY SOURCES OF HISTORY: ORAL SOURCES

Oral sources also called oral history are not written down, they are transferred through words of the
mouth. They are used to obtain information in non-literate society.

There are two main types of oral sources: ORAL TRADITION AND ORAL EVIDENCE.

1. ORAL TRADITION

Oral traditions are testimonies of the past transmitted from mouth to mouth and from generation to
generation. Oral traditions include: myths, legends, folklores, songs, proverbs, poems, epigrams
and cognomen.
MYTHS are traditional stories that may or may not be true about the early history the people and
their societies. Example: Yoruba myths regarding Ile Ife as the centre of creation.
LEGENDS are stories which have some factual bases about certain persons such as Bayagida legend
about the origin of Hausa people; Oduduwa legend about the origin of the Yoruba dynasty.
 FOLKLORES are traditional stories about the beliefs, culture and traditions of a particular group of
people.
EPIGRAMS: It is a short and witty statement , usually written in verse, that conveys a single thought
or observation.

ADVANTAGES OF ORAL TRADITION

1. I t provides information about pre-historic period.
2. It gives genuine information from the source.

DISADVANTAGES OF ORAL TRADITION

1. It may not be arranged chronologically.
2. It relies on the narrator’s memory.
3. The narrator may add or subtract from the story to serve his interest.

2. ORAL EVIDENCE: oral evidence is an eyewitness account. It deals with events that are recent
or contemporary e.g. the Nigerian civil war, Nigerian independence, etc.

PRIMARY SOURCES OF HISTORY: ARTEFACTS

Artefacts are tools or material remains of the past which are historically important. They are
recovered through excavations carried out by the archaeologists.

Excavations are the process of digging the surface layer of the earth crust in order to obtain material
remains called artefacts.

Examples of archaeological sites where excavations were carried out in Nigeria are: Nok in Kaduna
state, Ile-Ife in Osun state, Iwo Eleru in Ondo state, Daima in Borno state and Igbo Ukwu in
Anambra state.

There are two types of artefacts:

I. Relics: these are objects obtained through excavations such as: iron tools, stone objects,
skeletons, bones, etc
II. Monuments: these are immovable things temples, shrines, ancient cathedrals, tombs and
dwellings.

IMPORTANCE OF ARTEFACTS
I. They give important information about the past.
II. They support oral sources.
III. They provide dating information about relics and monuments.

PRIMARY SOURCES OF HISTORY: ARCHIVES AND ARCHIVAL MATERIALS

Archives are places where historical documents called archival materials are kept and preserved.
They contain primary source documents about the activities of man in the past. An archivist is a
person who works in the archive. Archival collections include photographs, colonial records,
administrative records, photographs, maps, charts, classified and declassified materials.
TYPES OF ARCHIVES

1. PUBLIC ARCHIVE: these are archives owned by the government. there are three categories
of this:
a. National Archives: The federal government owns them. The national archives in Nigeria are:
National Archives Ibadan, National Archives Enugu and National Archives Kaduna. The
headquarters of these National Archives is in Abuja.
b. State Archives: the state government e.g. Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau
(LASRAB) owns them.
c. Local Government Archives
2. PRIVATE ARCHIVES: Private individuals and organizations keep it. It includes archives owned
by various universities and individuals.

IMPORTANCE OF ARCHIVAL MATERIALS

1. They provide information about the past.
2. They provide information about administrative issues.
3. They provide information about the activities of colonial masters in Nigeria.
4. They support oral sources.
5. They serve as original materials for reference purposes.

EVALUATION 2
1. Anything that gives evidence about the past is regarded as:
a. oral tradition.
b. history.
c. sources of history.
d. artefacts.
2. Which of the following are categories of historical sources?
a. Primary, secondary and university sources
b. Nursery, primary and secondary sources
c. Primary, secondary and tertiary sources
d. Nursery, secondary and tertiary sources
3. Non-written sources are called:
a. pre-history.
b. oral source.
c. verbal sources.
d. mouth to mouth source.
4. Oral traditions can be defined in the following ways except:
a. testimonies concerning the past transmitted from one generation to another.
b. documentary evidence transmitted from one person to another.
c. unwritten messages whose preservation is entrusted to the memories of successive
generations of people.
d. none of the above.
5. The following are examples of oral traditions except:
a. memoirs.
 b. legends.
c. praise songs.
d. proverbs.
6. An example of monument is:
a. bone tools.
b. shrine.
c. iron tools.
d. wooden tools.
7. Arewa House Archive is located in:
a. Lagos.
b. Kaduna.
c. Benin.
d. Kano.
8. Which of the following is an archaeological site in Nigeria?
a. Ibadan.
b. Sokoto.
c. Port Harcourt.
d. Daima.

CROSS MATCH THE FOLLOWING

9. Myths An eye witness account.
10. Relics Immovable objects like temples and tombs
11. Legends Material remains of the past.
12. Archive Objects obtained through excavations like tools and skeleton
13. Folklores Stories with factual bases about certain persons
14. Oral evidence Traditional stories about the early history of a people.
15. Artefacts Immovable objects like temples and tombs
16. Monuments Places where historical documents are kept.

SECONDARY SOURCES OF HISTORY

Secondary sources of history are documentaries or written source. They are account of what people
understand to have taken place. They give detailed information about a particular event or subject.

TYPES OF SECONDARY SOURCES

1. Textbook: there are two types of textbook: authored or edited books.
Authored textbooks are books written by one or more authors. example Evans effective
History textbook.
Edited textbooks are books written by a collection of contributors and edited by one or
more authors. Example: Groundwork of Nigerian History edited by Obaro Ikime
2. Journals: A journal is a collection of research articles that have been peer-reviewed.
Scholars or professionals who are experts in their various fields write them. Example:
Journal of Historical Society of Nigeria, Journal of Law.
 3. Monographs: A monograph is a short book or an article written on a subject in details,
often written by a single author. it is the product of the author’s research.
4. Encyclopaedia: it is a book or set of books that give facts about different subjects or
many aspects of a subject. it is a reference material. Example: Encyclopaedia Britannica,
Encyclopaedia Americana, etc.
5. Government publications: These are official printed books which cover a wide range of
subjects and are available to the public. Examples: annual reports of government
department or agency, Government gazettes, court proceedings, government budget,
government legislation, treaties, policy documents, etc.
6. Periodicals: They publications published at regular time. They contain latest
information on specific or important issues. there are different forms of periodicals:
magazines, Newspaper, Newsletters, etc.
7. Biographies: It is an account of a person’s life written by another person. it can be an
authorised or unauthorized biography.
There are different forms of biographies. These are:
I. Popular biographies: they are the biographies of important persons in the
society.
II. Historical biographies: they are construction and reconstruction of the history
of a person.
III. Fictional biography: it is a historical fiction about the history of a person.
8. Autobiography: an account of a person’s life written by himself. Examples: Long Walk
to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, My Memoirs By Olusegun Obasanjo, and Odyssey by
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. The person who writes an autobiography is called an
autobiographer.

Other secondary sources are maps, internet, memoirs, recordings and social media.

ADVANTAGES/ IMPORTANCE OF SECONDARY SOURCES OF HISTORY

1. They support primary sources.
2. They are handy.
3. They can be verified.
4. They provide information about the past and present.
5. They are easily assessable

DISADVATAGES OF SECONDARY SOURCES

1. It is very costly to produce.
2. It is subjective.
3. the facts presented may be inaccurate.
4. The information could be manipulated.
5. They may be destroyed by fire.

TERTIARY SOURCES OF HISTORY

Tertiary sources are aggregates of primary and secondary sources. They draw information from both
primary and secondary sources to provide background knowledge on a topic.
FORMS OF TERTIARY SOURCES
I. Students research work
II. Guidebooks
III. Fact books
IV. Memoranda.
V. Manuals
VI. Bulletins
VII. Directories
VIII. Bibliographies

1. Students research work

Students at the tertiary levels are expected to carry out research work such as: long essay, projects,
dissertations and thesis.
2. Guidebooks also called travel guide. They give information about places, example:
accommodations, hotels, clinics and hospitals, maps, restaurants, historical and cultural
information. They are designed for visitors or tourists.
3. Fact books provide information on different aspects of life such as people, government,
economy, telecommunications, and military issues.
4. Memoranda: They are documents that pass important information within an organization. it
is also called a memo.
5. Manuals: They are handbooks or booklets of instructions. They called end- users document,
They provide information about the usage of a particular item.
6. Directories: they contain detailed pieces of information such as names, addresses, and
telephone numbers about persons or organizations.
7. Bulletins are short official statements or reports issued by an organization or institution to
give information about an important issue.
8. Bibliography: This is a compilation of books for further study or books consulted by an
author.

IMPORTANCE OF TERTIARY SOURCES

I. They provide information about past and contemporary events.
II. They are analytical sources of history.
III. They support primary and secondary sources of history.

HOW TO ACCESS SOURCES OF HISTORY

We can get the sources of history by:
1. Excursion to historical sites: Historical sites are places of historical significance. They are
also called heritage sites. Example: Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun state; Esie Museum
in Esie, Kwara State and Obudu Cattle Ranch in Obudu, Cross River state.
Excursion is an educational trip or visit to historical sites.
2. Exhibition: An exhibition is a public display of artworks, cultural and historical materials
in an art gallery, a museum or a trade fair. Exhibition can also take place in a park, hall,
library or an open space.
3. Libraries: This is a place where printed and non-printed materials are kept for easy
access and usage.
 4. Cultural festivals: cultural festivals are those festivals that have religious, historical,
cultural, political and economic importance to the society.
Popular festivals in Nigeria include:
 Argungun Fishing festival, Kebbi State.
 Eyo Festival, Eko, Lagos state.
 Osun Oshogbo festival in Osun state.
 Oude- Oba festival, Iebu Ode, Ogunstate
 Ikeji Arondizuogu festival, Imo state.
 Kati festival, Taraba state.
 Igue festival Benin city, Edo state.
 Awon Festival, Shao, Kwara State
 Kano Durbar Festival, Kano state
 Ogun festival, yorubaland
 New Yam festival, Igboland.
THE BENEFITS OF CULTURAL FESTIVALS
I. Promotes unity
II. Promotes culture, customs and tradition
III. For entertainment
IV. Promotes economic development.
5. Museums: Museums are buildings where important artefacts, cultural, historical objects are
kept and shown to the public. The person in charge of a museum is called a curator.
6. Archives
IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY
A. IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY TO THE INDIVIDUAL
I. It broadens the individual’s knowledge.
II. It teaches the individuals morals and values.
III. It challenges the human mind.
IV. it helps in the development of leadership qualities.
V. It helps a person to develop good sense of judgement.
B. IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY TO THE SOCIETY
I. It helps the society to transmit and sustain its cultures and values.
II. The knowledge of history fosters intergroup relations for a better society.
III. it helps to society to understand the process of change and continuity.
IV. it helps the society in promoting peace and unity.
V. It helps the society to avoid pitfalls, conflicts and crises.
C. IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY TO THE NATION
I. History helps to promote nationalism and patriotism.
II. It helps to promote nation building.
III. It helps to foster national integration
IV. It helps to understand past events, solve the problems of the present and project into te
future.
HISTORICAL SITES IN NIGERIA: NOK CULTURE
Nok is the oldest Iron Age culture in West Africa. It existed from 500 BC to 200 AD. It is the oldest
known culture in Nigeria. The culture produced some human and animal sculptures. This culture was
named Nok culture following the name of the place where they were first discovered in 1928 when a
team of miners led by Lt. Col. Dent Young were working.

Nok is a small village in Kaduna state, where Nok culture were first discovered.

An archaeologist by name Bernard Fagg carried out excavations from 1943 -1960.
Artefacts from Nok culture include terracotta figures of human heads and animals, stone tools, iron
axes and tools.

OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN NOK CULTURE

1. Agriculture: Nok people practiced agriculture. They cultivated crops like millet and cowpea.
They made use of iron tools. They also domesticated animals.
2. Iron and tin mining: This they used in producing tools.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NOK CULTURE

1. Nok culture are semi naturalistic.
2. The human heads are cylindrical, spherical or conical in shape.
3. The mouth of the figures are slightly opened.
4. The eyes are triangular shaped.
5. The eyes, ears and nose are represented with a hole.
6. The head has elaborate hairdo.

SIGNIFICANCE OF NOK CULTURE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY.

1. Nok culture shows that Nigerians had knowledge of iron working technology in pre-colonial
Nigeria.
2. It proves that Nigerian people have existed in this area as far back as the 5th century BC.
3. It provides evidence for the first known plastic arts in sub-Saharan Africa.

HISTORICAL SITES IN NIGERIA: IFE CULTURE

Ife is located in Osun state in South-western part of Nigeria. They claim to have descended from
Oduduwa.

Ife culture refers to the art of Ife. Ife art dates to the 8th century AD. Ife developed as a major
artistic centre around 700 to 900AD. By 12th century, Ife artists were creating bronzes, stone and
terracotta sculptures. Ife is popular for its life size brass heads carved in a naturalistic way using
the lost wax or cire perdu method of bronze casting. These brass heads suggest that there was
some form of trade in copper.

By 16th century, Ife artistic production began to decline due to civil wars among Yoruba people.

In 1910, a German ethnographer, Leo Frobenius took several ancient terracotta heads (Ori-Olokun)
to Germany.
OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES
 Art work
 farming
CHARACTERISTICS OF IFE ART/CULTURE
1. They are naturalistic in style.
2. it shows high level of artistic style.
3. the art work are of high quality made in bronzes and terracotta.
4. The eyes and eyebrow suggest an inner calm.

SIGNIFICANCE OF IFE CULTURE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY

1. Ife art shows high level of artistic sophistication.
2. Ife is regarded as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.
3. It is the centre of migration to other parts of Yoruba land.
4. Ife art brought fame to Ile Ife.

HISTORICAL SITES IN NIGERIA: BENIN CULTURE

Benin is located in Edo state, South- South geo-political zone of Nigeria. it is one of the oldest and
most developed state in the coastal hinterland of West Africa.. It dates to the 11 th century
Graham Connah around 1961 and 1964 carried out the first scientific excavation.

The Benin artisans produced wooden doors, ivory masks, bronze and brass objects. These objects
were produced for prestige, rituals, household use and for the king and his courtiers. They operate a
guild system, which dates to the Ogiso period.

The British conquered Benin in 1897 (Benin massacre). Her artwork were looted and later found in
British, European and American museums.

OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES
 Farming
 Carving
 Blacksmithing
 Weaving

SIGNIFICANCE OF BENIN CULTURE IN NIGERIAN HISTORY

1. Benin culture reveals that Benin has been inhabited since the Late Stone Age period.
2. Benin culture shows high-level artistic sophistication.
3. Benin culture produced great sculptors such as brass carvers and brass workers.
4. Benin artwork scattered all over the world has made Nigeria and Benin to be known for high
level artistic expressions.
HISTORICAL SITES IN NIGERIA: IGBO-UKWU CULTURE
Igbo-Ukwu is located in Anambra state in southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Isaiah Anozie
accidentally discovered the site when he was digging a cistern in his compound. Later, Professor
Thurstan Shaw carried out excavations at three sites in Igbo-Ukwu around 1959 and 1964.
the sites are:
1. Igbo Isaiah: it was a storehouse of regalia (storage chamber). it contained bronze objects like
– bronze shell, bronze chain, decorated anklets and chains, large quantity of beads and other
ornaments. Also recovered was a small pendant in the shape of a local chief’s head with
scarification (ichi) marks on the face.
2. Igbo Richard: It was a burial chamber for a wealthy person who was buried with five
attendants and rich grave effects, which included over 150,000 glass beads, elaborate
bronze vessels, bowls and ornaments.
3. Igbo Jonah: This was a disposal pit. From this pit, they discovered decorated pots and other
bronze objects like bells, chains, double edge necklace, staff heads, wristlets and iron blades.
The Igbo Ukwu site dates to 9th century AD.

OCCUPATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN IGBO UKWU

 Farming
 Trading
 Craftsmen

CHARACTERISTICS OF IGBO UKWU

1. It produced artistic styles that were different from Ife or Benin, and independent of external
influence.
2. The objects are mainly items of worship.
3. Their carvings ranged from realistic to abstract.
4. The Igbo Ukwu artworks have fine details of decorations.
5. They are known for the use of alloy: copper, tin and lead with bronze.

SIGNIFICANCE OF IGBO UKWU CULTURE TO NIGERIAN HISTORY

1. Igbo-Ukwu gave produced artistic styles different from those of Ife and Benin.
2. It helped to show the existence of wealth in the area.
3. it gave insight into the into the social and economic organization of the area.
4. Archaeological research led by Thurstann Shaw showed that people were already living in
south eastern Nigeria 100,000 years ago (Igbo Ukwu, Afikpo, Nsukka and Ugwuele).
5. It also revealed an indigenous culture that created a highly developed work in bronze metal
working independent of any Arab or European influence and centuries before other sites
that ere better known at the time of discovery.
6. Igbo Ukwu is linked to Nri institution in Igbo land. The kingdom of Nri existed in Igbo land. it
maintained religious, economic and political influence over a third of igboland and beyond.
The kingdom was ruled by a priest king called Eze Nri.

MAJOR CENTRALISED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA

Pre-colonial refers to the period before the advent of colonial rule in Nigeria. Then there was no
country called Nigeria. Rather there were kingdoms, empires, states and communities existing on
their own. Some had a centralised structure while some had a decentralised structure.

MEANING OF CENTRALISED STATE

A centralized state is a state in which power and authority is in the hands of a single ruler called a
king, queen or emperor. Some official assists them.

EXAMPLES OF CENTRALISED STATES

 Hausa states
 Kanem Borno empire
 Nupe Kingdom
 Oyo Empire
 Igala Kingdom
 Benin Kingdom
 Niger Delta State.
 Calabar
CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRALISED STATES
1. Kings and queens who had so much power and authority ruled centralised states.
2. They were highly centralised and hierarchically structured.
3. They had a standing army.
4. They had some forms of checks and balances.
5. There was a system of tribute collection.
6. There was a system of justice .

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF HAUSA STATES

Hausa kingdom was a collection of states started by the Hausa people. The Bayajidda legend has it
that a prince from Baghadad called Bayajidda Abuyazid came to Daura, killed the mysterious snake
that troubled the people and married the queen of Daura. Thus, he brought to end the era of
women rule in Hausa land.
Two major systems of government emerged in Hausa land in pre-colonial days:
 THE SARAUTA DYNASTY: it was also known as kingship system. This existed before Fulani
jihad of 1804. The Habe rulers who took the title of Sariki headed it.
• THE EMIRATE SYSTEM: After the great Jihad (1804-1810) led by Usman Dan Fodio,
the former fourteen Hausa states were merged to form Sokoto caliphate. It
adopted the theocratic system of government that is government based on
religious principles. Islamic religion was adopted as the state religion.
• The caliphate was divided into two zones the eastern zone with Sokoto as its
capital while the western zone had Gwandu as its capital.
• The zones were further divided in emirates under the emirs.
 • The emirates were further divided to districts under the district heads and
villages under the village heads.

OFFICIALS OF HAUSA/FULANI
• The Waziri: He was the head of all the officials’ equivalent of the Prime
Minister.
• The Galadima: He was in charge of the capital.
• The Madaki (Madawaki): He was the commander of the army.
• Dogari: He was the head of the police.
• Maaji: He was in charge of treasury.
• Alkali judges: they administered justice according to sharia laws.

KANEM BORNO EMPIRE

Kanem Borno Empire is located in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. In the height of its power, it
spread to the modern day Republic of Chad.

The empire was centralised and hierarchically structured.

They had two different dynasties that ruled the empire at different times:
1. SEIFAWA DYNASTY: during the reign of this dynasty, the kings took the title of MAI. It is
the longest lasting dynasty in West Africa. The dynasty collapsed in 1846.
 2. SHEHU DYNASTY: The title of the kings is Shehu. The dynasty emerged in the 19th
century following the assistance El-Kanemi gave to the mai during the Fulani jihad. he
later overthrew the government he assisted.

POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF IGALA KINGDOM

Igala Kingdom is located in the present day Kogi state, North-central geo-political zone of Nigeria.
Igala people founded it. Its headquarters was Idah and their kings took the title of Attah, which
means father. He was both the spiritual head and political head of the land.

It started as a confederal state of nine independent villages, which became known as IGALA MELA. It
later transformed into a centralised state (united state). It became known as the kingdom of Idah.
The first king of Igala kingdom was Attah Ayagba. A council of nine chiefs assisted the king in
administering the land.

POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF NUPE KINGDOM

Nupe is located in Kogi state in the North central geo-political zone of Nigeria. It was founded by
Nupe people and the headquarters was Nupeko. The kings took the title of ETSU. Tsoede was the
first Etsu of Nupe kingdom. Tsoede united the twelve confederal states which were formally known
as Beni Cofederacy to form Nupe kingdom.

POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF OYO

Oyo is located in southwest geo-political zone of Nigeria. Oranmiyan the last son of Oduduwa
founded it. It was a centralised state. They practiced the constitutional monarchical system. It was a
democratic system. The government of Oyo empire revolved around four major organs:
1. The Alaafin
He was the head of the empire. He was seen as a semi divine king. His salutation was: kabiyesi
Igbakeji Orisa meaning, second to the God.
2. Oyo Mesi
This is a council of seven powerful kingmakers. The Bashorun, who is the equivalent of a Prime
Minister, is the head. They have the power to remove the Alaafin and check his excesses.
 3. The Ogboni
The Ogboni cult was powerful. they played spiritual, political, social and judicial functions. They
checked the excesses of the Oyo Mesi. The Olowo is their head.
4. The Eso
Oyo empire had a standing army. The Eso was the military arm of government. The head of the army
was the Aare- Ona Kankanfo

Other chiefs like the Ilaris also assisted in administering the land.

POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF BENIN

Benin kingdom is located in the present day Edo state in southwest geo-political zone in Nigeria. It
was centralised. Succession to the throne was primogeniture. Primogeniture is a system where the
first son of the king becomes a king after the father dies.

Two dynasties existed in Benin:

1. OGISO DYNASTY: This was the first kings. it was headed by king who took the title of Ogiso
meaning kings from the sky. The first Ogiso was Ogiso Obagodo or Igodo. At that period, the
kingdom was called Igodomigodo. The last Ogiso was Ogiso Owodo. The Ogiso dynasty
ended and followed by a Republican period.
2. EWEKA DYNASTY: The people did not accept the republican system so the sent a request for
a king to Oduduwa in Ife. He sent his son Oranmiyan as king. He married Erinwinde who gave
birth to a son called Eweka. Eweka eventually founded Eweka dynasty. The kings took the
title of Oba.
Some officials worked with the king and they are:
I. Uzama: It is the council of kingmakers, they were seven in number. Their head who
is the equivalent of a Prime Minister is Iyase.
II. Eghaevbo n’ore: they are town chiefs. They were in charge of different quarters in
the kingdom.
III. Eghaevbo n’Ogbe: They were palace chiefs divided into three associations or Otu,
namely Ibwe,Iwebo and Iweguae.
IV. Edaiken: He was the least member of the Uzama and the heir to the throne. He was
in-charge of Uselu quarters where he ruled as Edaiken before ascending to the
throne after the death of his father.
POLITICAL ORGANISATION OF NIGER DELTA CITY STATES: ITSEKIRI KINGDOM
It emerged in the south south geo-political zone in the 16th century. Ode Itsekiri is the headquarters
and the kings took the title of Olu. He was both the political and spiritual head. he was assisted by a
council of Ijoye made up of seventy nobles.

Other titleholders played important role in the administration of the land:

1. Ologbotsere: he was the prime minister and chief adviser to the land.
2. Iyasere: he was the warlord.
3. UWANGUE: He was the custodian of the Olu’s regalia.