<P> In 1914 , the area was formally united as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria . Administratively , Nigeria remained divided into the Northern and Southern Provinces and Lagos Colony . Western education and the development of a modern economy proceeded more rapidly in the south than in the north , with consequences felt in Nigeria 's political life ever since . Following World War II , in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence , successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self - government on a representative and increasingly federal basis . On 1 October 1954 , the colony became the autonomous Federation of Nigeria . By the middle of the 20th century , the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa . On 27 October 1958 Britain agreed that Nigeria would become an independent state on 1 October 1960 . </P>
<P> In 1914 , the area was formally united as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria . Administratively , Nigeria remained divided into the Northern and Southern Provinces and Lagos Colony . Western education and the development of a modern economy proceeded more rapidly in the south than in the north , with consequences felt in Nigeria 's political life ever since . Following World War II , in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence , successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self - government on a representative and increasingly federal basis . On 1 October 1954 , the colony became the autonomous Federation of Nigeria . By the middle of the 20th century , the great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa . On 27 October 1958 Britain agreed that Nigeria would become an independent state on 1 October 1960 . </P>
prior to independence nigeria was ruled as a colony of
prior to independence nigeria was ruled as a colony of
Britain
Britain