istoryworld
Events relating to niger
Nok terracotta figures, found in modern Nigeria, stand at the beginning of the rich tradition of African sculpture
A Muslim dynasty is established at Gao, on the Niger
Ife emerges as a powerful kingdom in the equatorial forest of the lower Niger
The Yoruba develop an extensive empire centred on Oyo in southern Nigeria
Mungo Park sets off on his first expedition to explore the Niger on behalf of the African Association
The Fulani establish a capital at Sokoto, from which they dominate the Hausa kingdoms of northern Nigeria
Richard Lander and his brother John explore the lower reaches of the Niger, proving that the great river is navigable
The paddle steamer Alburkah becomes the first ocean-going iron ship, completing the journey from England to the Niger
Britain sends four naval ships up the river Niger to make anti-slavery treaties with local kings
William Baikie, on an expedition up the Niger, protects his men from malaria by administering quinine
Lagos, on the coast of Nigeria, is annexed as a British colony when the royal family prove unable or unwilling to end the slave trade
George Goldie and British traders on the Niger form the United African Company (later the Royal Niger Company) to consolidate their interests
The British government assumes direct responsibility for the entire region of Nigeria, previously entrusted to a commercial company
British rule is consolidated in Nigeria by the merging of north and south as a single colony
Nigerian dramatist Wole Soyinka's play The Swamp Dwellers is produced in London
Niger becomes independent, with Hamani Diori as the new nation's first president
Nigeria wins independence, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as prime minister, but its stability is threatened by tribal and regional factions
The Ibo of eastern Nigeria claim independence for their region – as the republic of Biafra
The breakaway province of Biafra surrenders after three years of devastating civil war in Nigeria
Yakubu Gowon, who united Nigeria after the Biafran war, is thrown out in a military coup
Ken Saro-Wiwa, playwright and pro-democracy campaigner in Nigeria, is among a group hanged by the ruling junta
Nigerian forces expel Johnny Koroma from Freetown and reinstate Sierra Leone's elected civilian president, Ahmad Kabbah
Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam is captured when attempting to flee to Niger and is held for trial
In the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping: more than 250 girls and women are abducted by Boko Haram to be held hostage.
Less than two weeks after the abduction of the Nigerian schoolgirls Boko Haram militants make a night raid on the towns of Gamboru and Ngala, killing about 300 people
