The Forgotten Era: Nigeria Before British Rule

Much is known about colonial Africa (or what Europeans did in Africa), yet very little is known about Africa before its colonization. In this surprising history, Max Siollun uncovers a Nigeria not part of a backward ’dark continent, ’ as European historians often attest.

Instead, many of its people were highly educated, living in democratic, sophisticated states, had international business and diplomatic relations, and produced world-class art, such as the Benin Bronzes.

Siollun also tells the stories of captivating individuals, such as the remarkable Dan Fodio family, who led a 19th-century revolution, overthrew three different 1,000-year-old empires, caused an intellectual reform movement, and wrote over 300 different books and poems between them.

This is a vital read for those who want to discover a forgotten era of West African history.

Max Siollun is a historian. He has written four acclaimed books on Nigeria’s history, most recently What Britain Did to Nigeria: A Short History of Conquest and Rule, which was shortlisted in BBC History Magazine’s 2021 Books of the Year. He has written for many publications including the New York Times, Guardian, the Independent and Foreign Policy.