The British choice for making a capital was guided by administrative convenience of the expatriate staff and was more mindful of the efficient running of the colonial economy for the extraction of the Nigerian wealth for the benefits of the British, rather than the overriding interest of Nigerians.
The evolution of the nation’s capital cities begins with the colonization by the British Empire. According to Pulse Nigeria, old Calabar was designated as the first principal city for the Southern Protectorate under the British rule in 1884. It served as a significant precolonial trading port for the West African Region.
One of the major problems Sir Fredrick Lugardfaced on his appointment as the British High Commissioner of the Northern Protectorate was the choice of the capital which shall ensure the effective administration of the Protectorate and bring the vast territory of Northern Nigeria under his control. He has to consider how to overcome the problem of accessibility and maintain strategic control of his military force that was pre-occupied with subduing resistance from most of the Northern Emirates.
According to the account of Dantsoho Mohammed (1991), in his book Zungeru the forgotten capital of Northern Nigeria, Sir Lugard, settled and made Lokojathe regional seat of government in 1900, due to the advantage of possible navigation along the Niger River, which could help in both naval and commercial activities. Lokoja had also served as the headquarters of the Royal Niger Company and the company’s constabulary force which was used to maintain the British trading interest in Nigeria.
However, within a very short period, the capital was moved from Lokoja to Jebba, because Lugardrealized that, it was far down the South, far away from the major northern bases like Sokoto, Kano, Borno and many others. Also, River Niger at Lokoja was also said to be navigable by small boats only for two months a year.
Jebba was considered to be nearer the major northern power bases. It was also used as a strategic camp of the West African Frontier Force, during the crisis between Britain and France over Borgu area from 1897 to 1898. Again, later in 1900 Lugard realized that Jebba was unsuitable in many respects. It was found to be too far, especially after the conquest of Kano and Borno. Jebba was also described as unhealthy and swarming with mosquitos. A more central location was needed.
After an intensive search for a new suitable location, Lugard settled for Zungeru. Based on more central location and its accessibility by the water way of Kaduna River, which runs due South in a very straight course, and navigable for almost four months for large streamers and practically throughout the year with canoes. It resulted to the construction of the first railway track in Nigeria. About 35 km from Gwarjikoto Zungeru. The Seat of Government for the Northern Protectorate and Lugard’s movement to Zungeru, took place in September 1902.
Lugard operated from Zungeru from 1902 to 1907,before his sojourn as the Governor of Hong Kong,from 1907 to 1912. Complains on the sustenance of Zungeru as the capital started from the colonial officials, while Lugard was in Hong Kong. Upon his return he also complained of harsh climatic conditions, which led to the final transfer of the Northern capital to Kaduna in 1913.
On January 1, 1914, Lord Fredrick Lugardamalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates into the colony and protectorate of Nigeria. Lagos was declared the capital of the unified country, at the same time its primary commercial port. It retained the status even after the independence on 1st October 1960.
Meanwhile, in between the periods a significant recognitions were made with regard to Abuja. One of them was the outcome of the report that led to the location of a Pottery Training Center by the Northern Nigerian Government in the former Abuja, now Suleja.
A colonial officer and renown porter, Mr. Michael Cardew, was given the task of choosing a site for a pottery center for the Northern Nigeria. He submitted his report in April 1951, after touring all parts of the north. “We decided ABUJA after all, in spite of not being on the railway, good and central for the Northern Nigeria, wonderful local pots, a nice town where trainees can live… – yes, hurray!!! Abuja was the place for inspiration”. Such was the inspiration that provided the driving force for producing the world renowned potters the likes of Dr Ladi Kwali.
Years later after the independence, complains on sustainability of Lagos as the National capital commences. Some of them were that, Lagos as the federal capital was not strategically well placed, and was militarily vulnerable as the seat of the federal government.
Others include physical and environmental problems, largely caused by the population increase beyond the existing physical capacity of the city. It was also argued that Lagos lies in one corner of the country, and centrality has been argued to help beat down the cost of transportation and reduce the burden of long distance communication.
These complains culminated in the formation of the Akinola Aguda Committee by the MurtalaMuhammed regime. It submitted its report in 1975, recommending the transfer of the National capital from Lagos to Abuja. Decree 6 of 1976 for the transfer of the Capital was promulgated on 4th February 1976. On12th December, 1991, the transfer of the Seat of Government was finally actualized by General Ibrahim Babangida Military Government.
