₦airaland Forum

Now that you are seeing, with your own eyes, what looks like open disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty by a global power, do you understand your ancestors a little better than before?

If you once judged them harshly, can you at least see their situation from their point of view?

Does it make more sense to you now why some of our kings agreed to become protectorates of European countries?

The British arrived with military force and clear superiority in weapons and organization. Many of our rulers had very few real options but to submit. In a similar way, when America threatens strong military action, our present leaders may feel pressured to bow while presenting it as a partnership.


The British came mainly for economic reasons. They targeted profitable trades such as palm oil and created monopolies that forced local rulers to negotiate just to survive. Our ancestors were pushed to trade on British terms, not their own.

Today, many people have tried to explain America’s economic interests in Nigeria. There is debate about what those exact interests are, but most Nigerians agree that there are economic motives involved. A large number of people are even willing to accept certain sacrifices if they believe it will bring peace and security.

The British also took advantage of existing ethnic tensions and political divisions, especially in Southern Nigeria, to expand their influence. In the same way, America is seen by some as taking advantage of Nigeria’s ethnic and religious divisions. There have been statements about protecting Christians, and some people have even spoken about dividing the country.

Our ancestors signed treaties that promised “protection,” but those agreements were designed to give Europeans exclusive trading rights and eventually political control.

Today, we do not know the full details of whatever agreements Nigeria may have with America. We do not know what is written or agreed behind closed doors. America does not have a history of offering protection without expecting something in return. With its largest consulate being built in Nigeria, it suggests a long term economic and political plan. Such a massive project raises the possibility that Nigeria could become a base for wider regional influence.

If that happens, it would not be new in history. The British also used soldiers recruited from one African kingdom to conquer others.

Today, just like in the past, internal rivalries play a role. Some leaders may seek American support to strengthen their position against local rivals. In the colonial period, once kingdoms accepted British protection, the British gradually took control of foreign relations and reduced the power of local rulers through indirect rule. Over time, different regions were merged into what became the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.

Now that we are living through circumstances that can be compared to theirs, do you see why some of them bowed?
Do you understand why the resistance of certain ancestors might have seemed useless in the face of overwhelming force?
Can you better understand those ancestors who are now called traitors, the ones who quickly cooperated with Europeans and accepted their rule?
Do you see that some kingdoms submitted partly out of fear of their own neighbors, just as many Nigerians today fear extremist groups and bandits?

If you are willing to accept foreign involvement to protect your land from extremists and violent groups, then remember that some of your ancestors did the same for similar reasons.
If you are ready to die to defend your country, there were ancestors who did exactly that or wanted to.
If you support foreign involvement as a way to break away from the Nigerian union, there were groups in the past who accepted European authority to escape from empires that dominated them.

If you speak passionately against foreign domination and try to warn your people not to accept it, there were ancestors who did the same, even though their efforts failed.

This message is not about deciding who was right or wrong, either in the past or today. It is simply asking: do you now understand your ancestors better? And do you respect them more?

No I don't because "the spiritual controls the physical" and our ancestors had all the babalawos, even odeshi

There's a time for everything.... Africans don't need to lift a finger. The very powers that exploited Africa, if you notice, are all experiencing decline...slowly, but unarguably.

America's own spectacular fall will be the catalyst for the rest of them.

The Earth always rebalances itself.

Meanwhile Africa is re-asserting itself now. Insisting on local processing of raw materials before export.

Africa and Nigeria are home to the rare earth minerals that will power the future, and have LEVERAGE that will only GROW in the years ahead.

Whatever Tinubu is signing with America, it has NOTHING to do with giving them our natural resources on the cheap. Those days are over.

At most, he can do a 'deal' that is reversible or subject to 'amendment' once Trump the impulsive oaf leaves office.

Kemetian:
There's a time for everything.... Africans don't need to lift a finger. The very powers that exploited Africa, if you notice, are all experiencing decline...slowly, but unarguably.

America's own spectacular fall will be the catalyst for the rest of them.

The Earth always rebalances itself.

Meanwhile Africa is re-asserting itself now. Insisting on local processing of raw materials before export.

Africa and Nigeria are home to the rare earth minerals that will power the future, and has LEVERAGE that will only GROW in the years ahead.

Whatever Tinubu is signing with America, it has NOTHING to do with giving them our natural resources on the cheap. Those days are over.

At most, he can do a 'deal' that is reversible when Trump the impulsive oaf leaves office.

I thought of replying the OP, but on seeing this lovely piece from you, I've decided not to. You've said everything I wanted to say.

QuinQQ:
No I don't because "the spiritual controls the physica"l and our ancestors had all the babalawos, even odeshi

You believe our ancestors had these spiritual powers more than all other groups on earth that fell to foreign invasion?

Kemetian:
There's a time for everything.... Africans don't need to lift a finger. The very powers that exploited Africa, if you notice, are all experiencing decline...slowly, but unarguably.

🤣😂😅🤣😂😅

TAYEtranscribe:
You believe our ancestors had these spiritual powers more than all other groups on earth that fell to foreign invasion?

Point is, what primarily controls the physical is the physical - if I have better guns I'd defeat and colonize you no matter how many babalawos and "spiritual" you have!

If you don't have nukes you are not a sovereign nation them go too control you ajey.