The Place of Christian Missions in the History of Nationalism in Nigeria, 1842-1914

Abstract

The emergence and development of nationalism in Nigeria had its origin in the Christian missions that became firmly established in West Africa as from the mid-19th century. This paper focuses on the role played by the Christian missions in the promotion of nationalist aspirations in Nigeria. By using relevant source materials, the paper argues that as from 1842, the Church gradually became the pivot upon which the foundation of Nigerian nationalism was laid. It further state that the Church the only avenue for nationalists’ feelings and expressions and this lasted till the takeoff of Nigerian indigenized press in 1879. The Christian missions equally served as the only megaphone of nationalists’ development up to 1915. The study maintains that most of the scholars who have researched into the constitutional history of Nigeria had neglected the contributions of the Christian Missions to achievement. The paper concludes that the place of Christian Missions in the history of nationalism in Nigeria is quite unique and central by all standards. Keywords: Christianity, Church, Nationalism, Missionaries and Megaphone.