Nigeria: Background to Nationalism offers a compelling exploration of the historical and social forces that shaped Nigeria's journey toward independence. This groundbreaking study examines how Nigeria, the most populous African nation, emerged as a focal point of the broader movement for self-determination across the non-Western world. The book delves into the unique challenges posed by Nigeria's immense size, cultural diversity, and colonial history, weaving a narrative that illuminates the interplay of traditional structures, Western influence, and the nationalist movements that reshaped the nation's political landscape. Through critical analysis, the author reveals how Nigeria's trajectory reflects both global patterns of decolonization and its distinct local dynamics.

Structured in four parts, the book provides a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s physical, cultural, and historical setting, as well as the social and political changes that spurred nationalist sentiment. It offers an in-depth account of the evolution of Nigeria’s independence movement, from early resistance to colonial rule to the formal establishment of political parties by 1952. By contextualizing Nigeria's struggle for self-governance within the global spread of the national idea, this work becomes an essential resource for understanding the complex forces driving decolonization. Rich in historical detail and critical insight, it is an indispensable guide for students and scholars of African history, political science, and international relations.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1958.