HISTORY – JS 1

CENTRALIZED KANEM BORNO EMPIRE

The kanem Borno empire was the first well documented state in the northern region. It is situated
at the eastern part of lake chad. This empire engaged in trade with other countries in North Africa
and profited from it. The kanem Borno Empire was founded by an Arab hero called Sayf Bin Ahi
Yazan from Yemen. The saifawai Kanem’s ruling dynasty sometims enlarged their power and
affluence by conquest and marriage into ruling families of vassal stats. However, the empire was
not able to sustain lasting peace. During one of the periods characterized by conflict, a period
between the 12th and 14th centuries, the saifawas were forced to move across Lake chad into
Borno, in present day north eastern Nigeria. There the kanem intermarried with the natuve
people, and the new group became known as the kanuri. The kanuri state centered first in knnem
and then in Borno, which is known as Kanem-Borno empire, here after referred to as Borno. The
kanuri eventually returned to chad and conquered the empire lost by the saisawas. Borno became
a flouring centre of Islamic culture that was a rival to Mali to the far west. The kingdom focused
on salt from the sahara and locally produced textile.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF KANEM-BORNO EMPIRE
1. Strong leadership: Leaders such as king Idris Alooma and Mai Ghaji contributed to the rise
of Kanem-Borno Mai Ali restored peace politically by defeating the Dawud faction. He also
established a new ruling family. He defeated the Bulala and established a new capital at
Birni Ngazargamu in1480 A.D. king Idris Alooma on his part fought wars with kano.
Tauregs and people of lake chad. A s a result of all these efforts of strong leaders, Borno
grew stronger as her territory was well defended.
2. Exposure to Islam As a result of the exposure of leaders such as Mai Umma Jilmi and his
son who became muslims and travelled to Mecca, mai idris Alooma who established contact
with the muslim world, kanem. Borno empire developed, as weapon of war were imported
from Mecca which was used to defend their territory.
3. Trade: kanem-Borno engaged in trade in the 16th century. There was importation of fire
arms from North Afric in exchange for slaves. This helped kanem-Borno become wealthy.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF KANEM-BORNO EMPIRE
The mid and late 18th century were period of decline for Borno, the decline was as a result of
some factors which are as identified below:
1. Loss of control over trade routes: the trauregs of the North and Kwararata to the south
were the major enemies of Borno and the made Borno loose control over trade routes. This
led to the decline in its income.
2. Kanem-Borno had problems with her neighbours. They were constantly at war with other
people from lake chad, also with the Bulala and this led to the death of four Mais.
3. The destruction of the “mune” which was sacred, and the death led to the fall of Kanem-
borno. The destruction of the “mune” brought abount decline in Mais religious authorithy.
The death of many Mais as well led to a period of political instability and civil war.
4. The climatic condition was another problem that faced the kanem-borno. The people in the
area migrated to further south. The migration resulted to war with the Bulala which claimed
the likes of four successive mais until mai Umar Idris led the people to Borno.
 5. Severe drought and famine eakened the kingdom of kanem-Borno. However, Borno
enjoyed a brief revival under Al-Kanemi, a shrewd military leader who resisted a Fulani
revolution that swept over much of Nigera.
CENTRALLISED NUPE KINGDOM
The Nupe traditionally called the Tapa by the neighbouring Yoruba, are an ethnic group located
primarily in the middle Belt and Northern Nigeria. They are majorly found in Niger state, and can
also be found as a minority group in kwara and kogi state. The Nuppe people traces their origin to
a man called Tsoede also known as Edeji. He fled the court of Idah and established a loose
confederation of towns. He is the founder of the Nupe kingdom.
The distance of Nupe to the Yoruba Igbomina people in the South and to the Yoruba Oya
people in the South west led to cross fertilization of cultural influences through trade and conflicts
over the centuries. The famous Yoruba Oba or king “shango” also known as “Jakuta” who was
once an Alaafin of Oyo before being deified after his death, was the son of a Nupe woman.
Many Nupe were converted to Islam at the end of the eighteenth century by Mallam
Dendom, a wandering preacher. According to history, a Fulani man married a Nupe princess of
Etsu Nupe. The princess was to become “Etsu Nupe” as her father “the Etsu” had no male child to
succeed him. She transferred the kingship to her Fulani husband who continued as Etsu Nupe with
all Nupes tradition and culture as well as Islamic religion. However, the traditions of Nupe were
retained; hence the ruler of Nupe is the “Etsu” rather than being called Emir.
The city of Bide fell to the colonialist British forces in 1897, the Etsu Abubakar was disposed
and replaced by Muhammadu. During the reign of Muhammadu, a prince named Jimada moved to
“Patigi” north east of Bida and protested against being ruled by a Fulani presentlythe descendants
are fighting or the post of Estu Nupe claiming to be the only existing pure Nupe ruling family.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF NUPE KINGDOM
The factors that led to the rise of the nupe kingdom are as follows:
1. Tsoede’s prowess: Tsoede was a great warrior who built up considerable forces of the
army. He then led the Nupe people on territorial expansion. To the south of River Niger, he
subdued the Yagba and Kakanda peoples. To the north, he extended b]his authority over
Ebe Kamber and Kanuku areas
2. Tsoede’s economic activities: he introduced new skills to the Nupe area. He bought the first
blacksmith and bronze casters from Idaho. He also taught his people the skill of building
canoes for war and trade.

FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF THE NUPE KINGDOM

The following factors led to the fall of the Nupe kingdom.
1. Division of the kingdom into opposition groups: nupe kingdom was divided into rivalry
groups. This singular act exposed the Nupe kingdom to external forces who attacked the
kingdom.
2. Jihadist penetration: the weakness .of Nupe states gave room for Jihadists to easily
penetrate and they took over the territory.
PRE-COLONIAL OYO EMPIRE
The ancestor of the old Oyo Empire is noted to be a hero called “Oduduwa” who migrated to ile-
ife and whose son became the first Alaafin, or ruler of Oyo. Oyo became pre-eminent among all
Yoruba states because of its favourable trading position, its natural resources, and the industry of
its inhabitants.
Oyo was a minor state in the early 16th century, powerless before its neighbours in the
North (Borgu and Nupe) by whom it was conquered in 1550. However, the power of Oyo began to
grow by the end of the century. This growth was attributed to Alaafin Orompoto who used the
wealth derived from trade to establish a Calvary force and to maintain a trained army. Oyo
conquered the kingdoms of Dahomey in the west and traded with European merchants on the
coast through the port of “Alase” (now port Novo). As Oyo’s wealth increased, its leader's political
options also increased. Some concentrated on amassing wealth, while others advocated the use of
wealth for territorial expansion. This difference was not resolved until the Alaafin Abiodun
conquered his opponents in a bitter civil war and pursued a policy of economic development
based primarily on the coastal trade with European merchants. Abiodun’s neglect of everything
but the economy weakened the army by which the central government maintained control. His
successor, Alaafin Awole, inherited a local revolt, an administration tenuously maintained by a
complex system of public service, and a decline in the power of tributary chiefs. The decline was
followed by quarrels between the Alaafin and his advisers. Oyo began to loose control of its trade
routes to the coast, was invaded by the newly risen Fon of Dahomey, and was captured by
militant Fulani Muslims from Hausa land in the northeast.
THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE OYO EMPIRE
The Oyo empire was the most politically organised society founded by the Yoruba-speaking
people. The political structure of the Iyo empire consists of various personalities which are as
discussed below.
Alaafin: The Alaafin is the king. He holds ultimate power, both spiritual and political.
Aremo: This position is usually for the first son of the king. It was a norm that the Aremo
takes over the throne when the Alaafin does but it was discovered that some Aremo killed their
father to ascend the throne. As a result, a decree was made that the Aremo commits suicide upon
the death of the Alaafin.
Ona Efa: He was the Chief Justice of the empire.
Otun Efa: he was in charge of the Sango shrine.
Osi Efa: He controlled the palace finance.
Oyomesi: This consists of prominent chiefs of the empire, numbering six or seven. The
main function of the Oyomesi was to act as a check on the excessive powers of the Alaafin. The
selection and dethronement of Alaafin was the exclusive power of the Oyomesi. If the Oyomesi
looses confidence in the Alaafin, the Bashorun is to present a calabash to the Alaafin to show that
the Oyomesi, ancestors, and people have lost confidence in him. The Alaafin is expected to
commit suicide.
Bashorun: This was the title head of the Oyomesi.
Ogboni: This group was headed by the Olowu. It consists of representatives of various
lineages. The Igboni has to check the excessive power of the Bashorun. The Alaafin occasionally
use the Olowu to check the excessive power of the Bashorun-led Oyomesi.
 Are- Ona-Kakanfo: This was the army commander, responsible for the Alaafin and
Bashorun. The army officers were appointed by the Alaafin. He was not expected to loose a war if
he does, he was expected to commit suicide or go into exile.
Ajale: This was the Alaafin supervisor. The Ajale enjoyed freedom as a result of the
communication gap, and this made some of them corrupt.

Ilari: Their role was to supervise different Ajale because it was discovered that some Ilari became
corrupt and oppressive.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF THE OYO EMPIRE
1. Geographical location: The location of the Oyo empire enhanced its commercial activities. The
land was fertile for agriculture. The agricultural produce was exchanged for salt, and horses
among others with its neighbours 2. Territorial expansion: Oyo fought a war with so many
kingdoms such as Ijebu, Ajabo, and Weme, conquered and established a governor there.
3. Strong army: This helped to fortify Oyo territories and served as a defence for the empire.
4. Trade: Sales of commodities such as textile, firearms, umbrellas, guns, etc, and the slave trade
was a source of wealth to the Oyo empire.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF THE OYO EMPIRE
1. Weakness of the military: At a point in time, there was a decline in the strength of the military
as little attention was paid to the military. The army was unable to defend the large territories. As
a result of this, they were prone to attacks from external forces.
2. Political crisis: Oyo empire experienced an internal crisis after the reign of Alaafin Ojigi.
Bashorun Gaa became very powerful and caused the death of four Alaafins. It was Alaafin
Abiodun who killed him. Also, Afonja, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Oyo empire invited the Fulani
warriors to support his fight against the Alaafin for him to separate Ilorin from the Oyo empire.
After Afonja was freed from Alaafin, he became the ruler of Ilorin but eventually, the Fulanis
overthrew him to set up the emirate of Ilorin.
3. Constitutional crisis: Alaafins who ruled at that time became dictators. They did not carry the
people along.
4. External invasion: The Fulani warriors were invited by Afonja the Aare Ona kakanfo at that time
to support his fight against the Alaafin. Ilorin was successfully separated from the Oyo empire.
THE CENTRALISED IGALA KINGDOM
Both written and oral traditions have linked the origin of the Igala people to the Yoruba, Jukun,
Edo, or Middle East. There are various opinions about the origin of the Igala people. Some believe
that the Igala people descended from Heaven. The Igala people have several traditions of Origin.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS
The early settlements of the Igala people in villages were lineage-oriented. It was these villages
that developed into communities. Initially, the concentration of people was said to have been
centered in the Idah area I.e the abode of the Igalamela community. The residents of this
community are believed to be the Kingmakers of the Igala kingdom.
The three major factors that influenced early settlements in Igala were sufficient water supply,
fertile land, and the safety of life and property.
EARLY POLITICAL ORGANISATION
The basic unit of Social or political organization involved various institutions from the head of the
nuclear family to the leader of the extended family, to the village head, to the provincial or district
head who were ultimately accountable to the central government at Idah under the authority of
the Ata-Igala, the ruler of the Igala land. The oldest in the family is usually the leader of that
family. The oldest in any given community was the leader of that community referred to as the
village head. This is so because they have great respect for age, and believe old age is a symbol
of wisdom and knowledge. Hence, old age was one of the requirements for choosing leaders in
the history of Igala land. This was the system in place before the commencement of hereditary
chieftains or monarchy in Igala land.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF THE IGALA KINGDOM
1. Geographical factors: A fertile environment aided agricultural activities that led to the growth of
the kingdom.
2. Islam: The contact with Muslim traders from Kanem- Borno and Hausa land in the 19th century
sustained the political and economic structures of Igala land.
3. Unity: The institution of the Attah serve as a bond that united the people. This promoted peace
and political stability in the land.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF THE IGALA KINGDOM
1. Slave trade: The pre-colonial kingdoms engaged in the slave trade as it was lucrative. It
eventually resulted in a war that reduced the population of Igala kingdom.
2. The coming of the European imperialists: The European explorers discovered that the king Idah
was in total control of the whole east bank of the Niger. Thirty years after, some troops were
stationed at Ankpa in eastern provinces through Igala to cut off Idah from mother Igala.
3. The Fulani Jihadists: The activities of the Fulani brought about the fall of the Igala kingdom.
They raided many towns and took a large number of slaves. Panda was destroyed and the
emirate of Nasarawa was founded.
CENTRALISED BENIN EMPIRE
The pre-colonial Benin empire is located in Southern Nigeria with modern-day Edo ( now Benin
city) as its capital. It is regarded as one of the oldest and most highly developed states in the
coastal region of West Africa. The Edo people were the founders and settlers of the Benin empire.
They were initially ruled by "Ogiso" who established the Ogiso dynasty and called their land
Igodomigodo. Ogiso Igodo, the first king had much influence and popularity as a good ruler. His
first son Ere succeeded him after his demise. However, a great battle for power erupted between
the warrior crown prince Ekhaladehan, son of the last Ogiso, and his young paternal uncle. A false
message from the Oracle made the prince and his warriors flee to the Yoruba land. The prince
arrived at a time when the Yoruba oracle had pronounced that their king will come out of the
forest. When Ekhaladerhan arrived at an Ife, he was received and given the title of Ooni Ile Ife
Imadoduwa now known as Ooni of Ile- Ife Oduduwa. When Ekhaladerhan's father died, the Ogiso
dynasty was halted as the people and royal kingmakers preferred their king's son as a natural heir
to rule. A group of Benin chiefs journeyed to Ife and was pleased with Ekhaladerhan now called
Oduduwa to return to Benin as King. Oduduwa refused and sent his son Oranmiyan instead to
become king.
Prince Oranmiyan ascended the throne and married a beautiful lady, Erinwinde. After a few years
of his rule, he called a meeting and renounced his office. He called the Benin empire land of anger
and said that only a child born, trained, and educated in the arts and mysteries of the land could
reign over the people. He caused his son born by Erinwinde to be made king in his place. He
returned to Ile- Ife, and after some years he left for Oyo where he also left a son behind.
Oranmiyan's son, Ajaka ultimately became the first Alaafin of Oyo. Therefore, Oranmiyan of Ife,
the father of Eweka I, and the Oba of Benin was also the father of Ajaka.
In the 15th century, during the reign of Oba Ewuare the great, the kingdom's administrative
centre,( Ubinu) became known as Benin city ,given by the Portuguese and was later adopted by
the locals. The name ( Ubinu) given by a tribe of the edos was referred to as "Bini" by the Itsekiri,
Esan, Ika, Ijaw, and urhobo. Though, farther Edo clans such as Itsekiris and Uhrobos still referred
to the city as Ubinu till the 19th century.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE RISE OF THE BENIN EMPIRE
Some factors led to the rise of the Benin empire. These factors include strong leadership, Benin's
military expansion, arts, and sources of revenue.
FACTORS THAT LED TO THE FALL OF THE BENIN EMPIRE
1. British conquest: The British conquered lagos, conquered Benin, and captured Oba
Ovonramwen. He was sent into exile. This ended indigenous rule of Benin kingdom. The British
took over the social, economic and political life of the Benin people.
2. Attack from powerful neighbours: Some states under Benin we're attacked. Esan was attacked
by the new Emirates of Nupe. Ekiti which was under Benin was taken over by Ibadan.
3. Political crisis: In the 17th century, Obas were weak and powers were controlled by great
officials. The fight for the throne by the older sons of the king also created serious problem in
Benin empire.
4. Economic problem: Warri that was better situated for the trade of oil gave room for little
demand for Benin clothing. This resulted in the decline of Benin kingdom.