Abstract

‘If you want to understand Nigeria’s history in one succinct go, this is a very good choice.’
Noo Saro-Wiwa

Known as the African Giant, Nigeria's story is complex and often contradictory. How, despite the ravages of colonialism, civil war, ongoing economic disappointment and most recently the Boko Haram insurgency, has the country managed to stay together for a hundred years? Why, despite an abundance of oil, mineral and agricultural wealth, have so many of its people remained in poverty?

Featuring a wealth of original research and interviews, this is an essential insight into the shaping of a country where, despite the seemingly dashed optimism that was raised at independence, there still remains hope 'the Nigeria project' may still succeed.

‘Fills a gap for a one-stop history of the first century ... Bourne relates a century’s worth of politics at a brisk clip.’
Financial Times

‘If you want to understand Nigeria’s history in one succinct go, this is a very good choice.’
Noo Saro-Wiwa

‘An insightful account of great interest to scholars.'
The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs

‘The book currently stands as the most extensive documentation on Nigeria.’
African Studies Quarterly

'[A]n excellent introduction to Africa’s most populous country.'
Foreign Affairs

'[A]n excellent overview of the main political events of Nigeria’s first hundred years.'
Africa at LSE

‘Writing about the diversity and complexity of governance in Nigeria poses a challenge even to established historians. Richard Bourne has in this book tackled the challenge with detailed research and admirable perspicacity. Recommended reading for all those interested in Nigerian history.’
Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General

‘Well researched and full of the anecdotes that turn a great history into an enjoyable one, Bourne's book is a necessary addition to the growing canon of comprehensive histories of Nigeria.’
Chibundu Onuzo, Guardian columnist and author of The Spider King's Daughter

‘This book is a major achievement and I defy anyone who reads it not to learn from it and gain greater understanding of the nature and development of a major African nation.’
Lalage Bown, professor emeritus, Glasgow University

‘Richard Bourne's meticulously researched book is a major addition to Nigerian history.’
Guy Arnold, author of Africa: A Modern History

‘This is a charming read that will educate the general reader, while allowing specialists additional insights to build upon. It deserves an audience far beyond the confines of Nigerian studies.'
Toyin Falola, African Studies Association and the University of Texas at Austin

‘With his characteristic candour, pithiness and immaculate judgement, Bourne gives us a Nigerian history that reveals not only its full complexity but its huge range of dynamism, resilience and hope for the future. This is a very fine book.’
Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London

‘Richard Bourne's brilliant new book is an admirable, fair-minded account of a complex story, embellished with excellent portraits of its extended cast.’
Richard Gott, author of Britain's Empire