Lord Frederick Lugard

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, stands at the crossroads of its identity crisis. Rich in both human and natural resources, Nigeria’s history, culture, and economy offer a wide array of possibilities, yet the country continues to struggle under the weight of its colonial past and internal contradictions. The very name “Nigeria,” given by Flora Shaw, a British journalist and the mistress of Lord Frederick Lugard, epitomizes the colonial imprint that still defines the nation-state. As Nigeria strives for a better future, it is imperative to ask whether the country should continue to bear a name bestowed by foreign imperialists …