On 1st January 1914, Lord Frederick Lugard merged the immiscible Northern and Southern protectorate, both of which he governed – The Amalgamation. What he thought of Nigerians or Africans in general, could be found on Page 70 of The Dual Mandate by F. D. Lugard 1926 – written and published 26 years after Nigeria’s independence.
“In character and temperament,” wrote Lord Lugard, “the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person. Lacking in self-control, discipline, and foresight. Naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity, fond of music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry. His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers little from the apprehension for the future, or grief for the past.
“His mind is far nearer to the animal world than the that of the European or Asiatic and exhibits something of the animals’ placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the State he has reached. Through the ages, the African appears to have evolved no organized religious creed, and though some tribes appear to believe in a deity, the religious sense seldom rises above pantheistic animalism and seems more often to take the form of a vague dread of the supernatural”.
“He lacks the power of organization and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or business. He loves the display of power, but fails to realize its responsibility ….he will work hard with a less incentive than most races. He has the courage of the fighting animal – an instinct rather than a moral virtue……In brief, the virtues and defects of this race-type are those of attractive children, whose confidence when it is won is given ungrudgingly as to an older and wiser superior and without envy…….Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and his ability to visualize the future”
Brief illustration…
“Lord Lugard noted that Nigerians are lacking in self-control, discipline, and foresight.” Sadly, this could be attributed to some of the Nigerians occupying leadership positions in various offices. The rate of online fraud is speedily rising, and it boils down to discipline.
“Through the ages, the African appears to have evolved no organized religious creed, and though some tribes appear to believe in a deity, the religious sense seldom rises above pantheistic animalism and seems more often to take the form of a vague dread of the supernatural.”
– Nigerians take spiritual things just too far, so many are mentally imprisoned.
“He loves the display of power but fails to realize its responsibility”
– Nigerians who join secret societies and cult organizations have this character. A Nigerian is quick to give excuses for his failure to carry out a task even if he blatantly failed to carry out the task.
“He lacks the power of organization and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or business.”
– As much as this insults the nationality, it’s obviously true. Mismanaged public funds, insecurity, and incompetent leaders all prove it. In what state are our national heritage and cultural exhibits centers that serve as tourist attractions?
“The typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person.”
– Lord Lugard didn’t fail to mention the affable nature of a Nigerian. Even in the face of danger, a typical Nigerian can seamlessly make fun of it – it’s innate. He also acknowledged the boldness of Africans and Nigerians in particular.