₦airaland Forum

Names are an important part of who we are, and that is true for African countries with their names often reflecting history and culture.
Many African countries were once colonised by European powers, who named them during that time.

Some countries changed their names after they became independent, choosing something that felt more connected to their identity. But other countries decided to keep the names from the colonial era. Here are five African countries that retained their colonial names:

-1). Nigeria
The name Nigeria comes from the Niger River, which flows through the country. It was coined on January 8, 1897, by British journalist Flora Shaw. The neighbouring Republic of Niger also takes its name from the same river.

Nigeria gained partial self-governance in 1954 and full independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960, as the Federation of Nigeria. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the country’s first Prime Minister, while Queen Elizabeth II remained the ceremonial head of state as Queen of Nigeria.

-2). Mali
Mali came under French colonial rule in 1892. By 1893, the French had appointed a civilian governor for the territory, known as Soudan Français (French Sudan), but resistance to their rule persisted.

By 1905, most of the region was firmly under French control. French Sudan was managed as part of the Federation of French West Africa and provided labour for France’s coastal colonies. In 1958, the territory, now called the Sudanese Republic, gained complete internal autonomy and joined the French Community.

In early 1959, the Sudanese Republic and Senegal formed the Federation of Mali. On March 31, 1960, France agreed to grant the Federation of Mali full independence. On June 20, 1960, the Federation of Mali became an independent nation, with Modibo Keïta as its first president.

-3). Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, got its name from 15th-century Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra, who was the first European to map Freetown harbor. The original Portuguese name “Serra Lyoa” (meaning “Lion Mountains”) referred to the hills surrounding the harbor.

On April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone gained independence from British colonial rule. The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) won the general elections in 1962, with the All People’s Congress (APC) emerging as the primary opposition party.

-4). Guinea
Guinea officially gained independence from France on October 2, 1958, after a referendum on the French Fifth Republic’s constitution on September 28 of that year. Ahmed Sékou Touré, a member of the Malinké ethnic group and a leftist leader, was appointed the first president by the Constituent Assembly.

The country is named after the Guinea region, which extends from the Gulf of Guinea into tropical forested areas and reaches the Sahel. The term “Guinea” comes from the Portuguese word “Guiné,” which emerged in the 15th century to describe lands inhabited by African people south of the Senegal River.

In 1978, Guinea’s official name changed to the People’s Revolutionary Republic of Guinea, and in 1984, after the death of Sékou Touré, the country was renamed the Republic of Guinea.

-5). Cameroon
The area now known as Cameroon was originally called “Rio dos Camarões” (River of Prawns) by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, due to the large number of shrimp they found in the Wouri River.

This name evolved into “Cameroon” during British and French colonial rule. In 1884, the region became a German colony known as Kamerun.

After World War I, it was divided between France and the United Kingdom under League of Nations mandates, with France governing 4/5 of the territory and the UK administering the remaining 1/5. Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960 and from the UK in 1961.

After World War I, Cameroon was divided between France and the United Kingdom under League of Nations mandates, with France governing 4/5 of the territory and the UK administering the remaining 1/5. Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960 and from the UK in 1961.

Racoon:
So after the slavemasters fought over the fortunes and finished their colonialism, then Cameroon went into self colonization again with the likes of Paul Biya? Africa deliver yourself from wicked leaders.

Racoon:
These imperialists and neo-colonialists really did so much damage to Africa, Asia and other parts of the world that they subjected to their brute power plays. Terrible the servitude they imposed and bastardization of the psyche of their subjects.

Racoon:
These imperialists and neo-colonialists really did so much damage to Africa, Asia and other parts of the world that they subjected to their brute power plays. Terrible the servitude they imposed and bastardization of the psyche of their subjects.

Racoon:
So after the slavemasters fought over the fortunes and finished their colonialism, then Cameroon went into self colonization again with the likes of Paul Biya?

Africa deliver yourself from wicked leaders.

anonimi:
“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in the political events.

He doesn’t know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics.

The slowpoke doesn’t know that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.”

― Bertolt Brecht

Racoon:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/10/5-african-countries-that-retained-their-colonial-names/

absalut:
Hi Racoon,

I've been reading your posts on the ECOWAS and ISWAP situation. Your analysis of the GIABA report was spot on - the kind of evidence-based discussion that's rare these days.

That PLO Lumumba quote you shared really hit home: "In Japan a corrupt person kills himself. In China, they will kill him. In Europe, they join him. In Africa, he will present himself for election." So true about how we keep rewarding dysfunction here.

A few of us are starting something different - a space for serious Nigerian political discussion without the usual noise. We're looking for people who actually think before they post, like yourself.

From Zik to Nzeogwu to the Biafran scientists, some of us have always pushed this society to aim higher. Your posts continue that tradition of calling out mediocrity.

Interested in being part of something that values quality over quantity? We could use voices like yours.

Let me know if you want to hear more.

christejames:
When a new president comes on board, he should revert the national anthem to the old one and the push for the change of name of this country to something unique to us Africans that will at least cut across the three major ethnic groups

DeepSight:
Wrong List.

Burkina Faso was called Upper Volta.

DRC was called Zaire.

Botswana was called Rhodesia.

I can go on and on.

wink2015:
You are wrong Botswana is not called Rhodesia.

It is Zimbabwe that is called Rhodesia.

Yes, the Late Robert Mugabe 's Zimbabwe.

I referred to Mugabe due to his popularity and long years of ruling Zimbabwe before his eventual death after being forced out of power.

Racoon:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/10/5-african-countries-that-retained-their-colonial-names/

wink2015:
You are wrong Botswana is not called Rhodesia.

It is Zimbabwe that is called Rhodesia.

Yes, the Late Robert Mugabe 's Zimbabwe.

I referred to Mugabe due to his popularity and long years of ruling Zimbabwe before his eventual death after being forced out of power.

uuzba:
That Guinea one, I don't get it.
Did their eye bend or what?
Guinea country and Gulf of Guinea are not in the same place.
Wetin concern Guinea with Gulf of Guinea?

Racoon:
These imperialists and neo-colonialists really did so much damage to Africa, Asia and other parts of the world that they subjected to their brute power plays. Terrible the servitude they imposed and bastardization of the psyche of their subjects.

Racoon:
These imperialists and neo-colonialists really did so much damage to Africa, Asia and other parts of the world that they subjected to their brute power plays. Terrible the servitude they imposed and bastardization of the psyche of their subjects.

uuzba:
That Guinea one, I don't get it.
Did their eye bend or what?
Guinea country and Gulf of Guinea are not in the same place.
Wetin concern Guinea with Gulf of Guinea?
If it's according to where water reach, na we, Nigeria, suppose dey answer the name Guinea.