Renowned journalist and author Chief Tola Adeniyi has reignited the debate on Nigeria’s amalgamation, arguing that the 1914 union of the Northern and Southern Protectorates was never meant to be permanent.
Speaking on The Edmund Obilo Podcast, Adeniyi criticized Nigeria’s political elite for failing to act when, according to him, the amalgamation expired in 2014.
The journalist asked, “He amalgamated the North and Southern Protectorate together” .
Yes, yes, that was the beginning,” Adeniyi stated, referring to Sir Frederick Lugard, the British colonial officer who merged the two regions.
“In fairness to him, he said that was to last for 100 years. I mean, the British at that time said for 100 years. If it was for 100 years, that would have lapsed in 2014, but here we are in 2025 because the greedy politicians will not do what they needed to do.”
Adeniyi’s comments highlight a growing sentiment among some Nigerians who believe that the country’s foundational structure, imposed by colonial rulers, has long outlived its purpose.
He accused the nation’s political class of deliberately ignoring the supposed expiration of the amalgamation to maintain their grip on power.
“The amalgamation was off by 2014 according to the books, but they decided to keep it,” he asserted.
While there is no legal document explicitly stating that the amalgamation was meant to last only a century, Adeniyi’s remarks reflect widespread frustration over Nigeria’s governance and structural imbalances.
His critique adds fuel to ongoing calls for constitutional reforms or a restructuring of the nation to address deep-seated ethnic and regional tensions.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with political and economic challenges, Adeniyi’s words serve as a reminder that the debate over its unity and structure is far from settled.
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