Early European contacts with Nigeria were mainly through trade, exploration, and later missionary activities. Europeans were interested in the economic potentials of the region, such as trade in gold, ivory, and later slaves.

1. Trade relationships with coastal communities.


2. Exploration of the interior of West Africa.


3. Establishment of trading posts and forts along the coast.


4. Influence on local political and social structures.

1. Portuguese: First Europeans to arrive, around the 15th century. They sought trade in ivory, pepper, and later slaves.


2. Dutch: Followed the Portuguese, trading mainly in slaves and other goods.


3. British: Interested in palm oil, later involved in ending the slave trade.


4. French: Operated mainly along the coastal areas.


5. Spanish: Had minor trading activities along the coast.

The primary purposes of European contacts in Nigeria were:

1. Trade: To buy and sell goods such as ivory, spices, and later, slaves.


2. Exploration: To discover new trade routes, map rivers, and understand the interior of West Africa.


3. Missionary Work: Spread Christianity and Western education (later in the 19th century).


4. Political Influence: Some Europeans sought alliances with local rulers to secure trade advantages.

Early European contact brought both positive and negative effects:

Positive Impacts

1. Introduction of European goods such as textiles, metals, and firearms.


2. Development of trade routes and commerce along the coast.


3. Introduction of Western education and Christianity (later).

Negative Impacts

1. Beginning of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, which caused disruption in societies.


2. Introduction of foreign diseases.


3. Weakening of local political systems in some areas.


4. Increased competition among local states due to European demand for slaves.

European explorers visited Nigeria mainly to explore the Niger River, establish trade routes, and gather geographical knowledge about the interior of West Africa. Some of the most famous explorers include Mungo Park, Hugh Clapperton, and the Lander brothers.

1. Mungo Park (1771–1806) – British Explorer

Mungo Park was a Scottish explorer sent by the British to explore the Niger River.

First Expedition (1795–1797)

• He traveled from Senegal to the Niger River.


• He was the first European to document the course of the middle part of the Niger.


• He kept detailed notes about the people, trade, and geography of the areas he visited.

Second Expedition (1805–1806)

• Park attempted to follow the Niger River to its mouth.


• He faced many difficulties such as illness, attacks, and harsh conditions.


• Unfortunately, he died during this expedition.

Contributions

• His journeys provided valuable information about the Niger River and West Africa.


• Inspired other explorers to venture into the interior of Nigeria.

2. Hugh Clapperton (1788–1827) – British Explorer

Hugh Clapperton was another British explorer who explored Northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.

First Expedition (1822–1823)

• He traveled to the Sokoto, Bornu, and Hausaland regions.


• He studied the people, culture, and political systems.

Second Expedition (1825–1827)

• Clapperton attempted to explore the Niger River further inland.
• He faced difficulties including sickness and attacks.
• He died in Sahara Desert, near Borno.

Contributions

• Provided valuable reports about Northern Nigeria, its societies, and trade routes.
• Helped Europeans understand the inland regions of Nigeria.

3. Richard and John Lander (The Lander Brothers) – British Explorers

The Lander brothers were sent to follow up Mungo Park’s discoveries and trace the Niger River to its mouth.

Richard Lander (1804–1834)

• Explored parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Niger River basin.


• Worked with his brother John to map the river.

John Lander

• Assisted Richard in tracing the Niger River all the way to the Atlantic Ocean in 1830.


• Successfully proved that the Niger River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, solving a mystery that had puzzled earlier explorers.

Contributions of the Lander Brothers

1. Mapped the lower course of the Niger River.


2. Opened up the region for trade, especially palm oil.


3. Strengthened European knowledge of West Africa’s geography.

European traders and merchants visited Nigeria mainly to engage in trade, profit from local resources, and establish trading posts. Their activities significantly influenced the economic and social development of Nigeria during the pre-colonial period.

Europeans traded goods with local communities along the coast and later inland.

1. Europeans traded goods with local communities along the coast and later inland.


2. Trade items included slaves, ivory, gold, palm oil, and textiles.


3. They often established trading companies and posts to facilitate commerce.


4. Some European traders later became merchants, controlling trade networks in the Niger Delta and other regions.

a) Sir George Taubman Goldie (1846–1925) – British Trader and Colonial Figure

Goldie was a British merchant who played a major role in trade and the formation of the Royal Niger Company.

Key Contributions:

1. Consolidated trade along the Niger River.


2. Negotiated treaties with local rulers to secure trade rights.


3. Controlled the palm oil trade, which was very profitable.


4. His trading activities laid the groundwork for British colonial administration in Nigeria.

b) John Holt (1841–1915) – British Merchant

John Holt was a British trader and shipping entrepreneur who established trade networks in Liverpool and Nigeria.

Key Contributions:

1. Imported European goods such as textiles, metals, and firearms to Nigeria.


2. Exported palm oil, cocoa, and other local products to Europe.


3. Developed transport and shipping services that improved trade efficiency.


4. Established a company that became a major trading firm in West Africa.

European traders and merchants engaged in:

Export and Import Trade

• Exported local products (palm oil, ivory, and later cocoa).


• Imported European goods (textiles, guns, and metals).

Treaties with Local Rulers

• Secured trade monopolies.


• Protected their businesses from local competition.

Establishment of Trading Posts

• Coastal towns like Lagos, Calabar, and Bonny became trade hubs.

Influence on Local Economy

• Encouraged cash crop production.


• Introduced European currency and trade systems.

Positive Impacts

1. Introduced new goods and technologies.


2. Improved trade networks and transport systems.


3. Contributed to economic development in some areas.

Negative Impacts

1. Exploitation of local resources for European profit.


2. Encouraged slave trade in earlier centuries.


3. Created dependence on European goods.


4. Sometimes interfered in local politics to protect trade interests.

Christian missionaries came to Nigeria primarily to spread Christianity, promote Western education, and introduce new social and cultural practices. Their work had a significant impact on religion, education, and society in pre-colonial Nigeria.

The main goals of Christian missionaries in Nigeria were:

1. Religious Conversion: Spread Christianity among the local population.


2. Education: Establish schools to teach reading, writing, and arithmetic, often with Christian teachings.


3. Social Reforms: Promote better health, discourage traditional practices like human sacrifice, and advocate for justice.


4. Translation of Religious Texts: Translate the Bible into local languages.

a) Mary Slessor (1848–1915) – Scottish Missionary

Worked mainly in Calabar and southeastern Nigeria. Known as the “White Queen of Okoyong”.

Contributions:

1. Rescued abandoned children, especially twins who were considered evil in local tradition.


2. Promoted Christianity and social reforms.


3. Encouraged local communities to abandon harmful traditional practices.

b) Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809–1891) – Nigerian Missionary

Born in Nigeria and freed from slavery by the British. Became the first African Anglican bishop.

Contributions:

1. Translated the Bible into Yoruba.


2. Promoted literacy and Christian education.


3. Served as a bridge between Europeans and Nigerians in spreading Christianity.

c) Rev. Henry Townsend (1815–1888) – British Missionary

Worked in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, mainly in Lagos and Yoruba land.

Contributions:

1. Established schools and churches.


2. Published books in Yoruba language.


3. Promoted education and literacy among Nigerians.

d) Rev. Birch Freeman (1809–1890) – Methodist Missionary

Worked mostly among the southern Yoruba communities.

Contributions:

1. Established Methodist churches in Nigeria.


2. Promoted education through schools attached to churches.


3. Advocated for social reforms and Christian teachings.

e) Rev. Samuel Bull (Dates not widely documented) – British Missionary

Worked in early missionary activities along the Niger Delta and coastal towns.

Contributions:

1. Assisted in establishing schools and churches.


2. Promoted literacy and Christian teachings.

1. Evangelism: Preaching Christianity and converting local people.


2. Education: Opening schools to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and moral lessons.


3. Social Reform: Protecting children, discouraging harmful traditional practices, and promoting hygiene.


4. Translation: Translating the Bible and hymns into local languages like Yoruba, Igbo, and Efik.

Positive Impacts

1. Spread Christianity widely across southern Nigeria.


2. Introduced Western education and literacy.


3. Reduced harmful traditional practices such as killing of twins.


4. Promoted healthcare and social reforms.

Negative Impacts

1. Undermined traditional religions and cultural practices.


2. Sometimes created dependency on Western education and religion.


3. Contributed indirectly to European influence and eventual colonization.

Conclusion

Early European contacts with Nigeria through trade, exploration, and missionary activities significantly shaped the country’s history. While Europeans introduced new goods, education, and Christianity, their arrival also brought challenges such as the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, disruption of local political systems, and the spread of foreign diseases. Overall, these interactions laid the foundation for increased European influence and eventual colonization, leaving both positive and negative legacies in Nigeria.