Impacts of colonization in Africa: using Nigeria as a case study

Talking about colonialism, it means when a particular territory take total control of another territory, regulating the affairs of another territory. Colonialism is a situation in which a particular set of group of people forcibly or impose obedience on another set of group. When a territory is strip of its freedom by another territory this is also known as colonialism. Also when an external body overthrown the government activities of a country forcing their belief, rules and customs on such country is said to be colonialism. The idea of colonialism is that it makes citizens look like strangers in their father’s land. Unknown cultures are brought and are forced on people this gives such people a new way of life. Colonization has its own positive and negative impact in Africa; let’s take a look at positive and negative impacts one after the other:

Positive impacts;

▪Introduction of religion: the arrival of Christianity brought so many positive changes i.e. Christianity encourage equal right and elevate education. Also in the southern part of Nigeria where giving birth to twins is a taboo as a result of this, twins given birth in that region will be killed immediately, the oncome of Christianity preached against it and urge them to love and support each other. The European missionaries introduce Christianity to their subject and they are been brought out of darkness to light.

▪Improvement in technology and modernized way of life: improved technology was introduced by the colonial master, a lot of modernization was brought such as construction of good road, drinkable water, modern education, provision of social amenities, building of standard healthcare centre.

▪Enlargement of land: the advent of colonial rule brought about enlargement of land for villages and various towns. There was no Nigeria then because people were confined then they couldn’t move, this enlargement in land gives people freedom to settle in any part of the country after the colonial master has already named the country Nigeria.

▪Revealing of natural resources: natural resources were discovered by the colonial master due to the development they brought, people were given opportunities to work and fend for themselves and family even though the pay was minimal.

▪Introduction of foreign language: the adoption of English language introduced by the colonial master made communication easy and suitable as there are lots of tribes with different languages then. But the introduction of English language unites everyone and makes their communication effective.

Negative impacts;

▪Lack of economic independent: till date Nigeria still depend on Britain for supply of so many things. The survival of Nigeria depends on the things we import from Britain. For example, textiles materials, various equipments and parts are imported also crude oil are exported to other countries to be refined there and are imported back to Nigeria.

▪Prone to diseases and virus: as the colonial masters brought so many diseases, especially sexually transmitted diseases they also contracted diseases from their subject such as malaria etc.

▪Separation, death and abandoning: during the era of colonial master, they caused separation between peoples, families so many of them could not withstand it, and so many flew looking for a greener pasture while some remain. The colonial master exercise supreme authority over the people, they tortured and exploit them, they make them to do hard work, this result to the death of so many of the colonies because of the hardship they were been subjected to.

▪Bastardization of property and culture: the colonial masters contribute to the bastardization of the beliefs, norms and culture of the people. The people lost some valuable aspect of their culture like mode of dressing. The colonial master took their property forcefully from them and exploits them greatly.

Conclusion, it will be partial to say colonialism has been helpful all through and or not.