Reasons for the Rise and Growth of Nationalism

The following are reasons for the rise and growth of nationalism:

• Discrimination Against Africans: The colonial administrators discriminated against Africans in the civil service. There was also racial discrimination. They lived in reserved areas e.g. European quarters, while Africans lived in ghettos.

• Existence of Elective PrincipleThe elective principle in Nigeria was introduced by the Sir Hugh Clifford Constitution of 1922, which allowed for the election of representatives into the Legislative Council, specifically for Lagos and Calabar More: Elective principles were introduced in 1922 by Clifford ConstitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More, which encouraged greater African participation in colonial administration and the development of political parties.

• Establishment of Political Parties: Pressure GroupsPressure groups are a group of people who work together to persuade a government or other authority to do something, for example, to change a law. They actively work together to... More also gave rise to nationalism, such as NNDP, DIYM, Railway Workers Union, Trade Union Congress, etc.

• Establishment of Newspapers: The establishment of Newspapers such as Lagos Daily News by Herbert Macaulay, West African Pilot by Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, etc. gave rise to and increased the tempo of nationalism.

• Influence of Schools and Christianity: The establishment of schools by Christian missionaries and the subsequent influence of Christianity played a significant role in fostering nationalist sentiments by emphasizing the equality of all people before God, which in turn challenged colonial structures. 

• Existence of Educated Elites who were Excluded from British Colonial Administration: Educated elites in Nigeria such as Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, H. O. Davies, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, etc. played a crucial role in facilitating the growth of nationalism, particularly through their Western education and subsequent awareness of the need for collective action and self-governance.

• Impact of the Second World War/ Return of the Ex-servicemen: After fighting alongside British forces in World War II, many Africans returned home, often with a changed political consciousness and a sense of entitlement to freedom, which fueled the movement for independence in the post-war era. 

• The Atlantic Charter of 1941: This charter was signed by the British Prime Minister and United States of American President which emphasized the right of all people to self-determine the form of government under which they would be governed.

• Anti-colonial stand of UNO: UNO acted as a forum for most countries to condemn the activities of some colonial powers and promote fundamental human rights.

• British Labour Party: The British Labour Party was against colonialism. It was not in support of the British Conservative Party’s policy towards colonialism.

• The Emergence of Superpowers: The emergence of the USA and the Soviet Union as superpowers gave moral support to the activities of nationalists.

• Independence of Some Countries: The independence of some countries formerly colonized by the British, such as India in 1947, Ghana in 1957, Malaysia in 1957, etc., was a motivator for nationalism in Nigeria.

• Influence of Some Individuals and Organizations such as Pan African Congress: Some Organizations and individuals played vital roles towards the growth of nationalism in Africa, e.g. Creoles / freed slaves, Dr. William Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Henry Wallace, Wendell Lewis Willkie, etc. They supported the decolonization of Africa.

• The activities of the West African Student Union (1925) in Britain and the USA gave moral support to the nationalists.

• The Defeat of Britain by Japan: The defeat of Britain by Japan increased the tempo of nationalism.