Explanation

In 1914, Lord Lugard amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates to create Nigeria. The name “Nigeria” was suggested by Flora Shaw (Lugards wife).

Reasons for amalgamation: administrative convenience, economic efficiency (north was subsidized by southern revenues), and creating a unified colonial territory.

The artificial merger joined diverse peoples who had little prior unity. Many argue this created lasting tensions between north and south that persist today.