No abstract

Most researchers have generally regarded taxation as the main reason for the revolt in colonial Nigeria. There are good reasons to believe that there were other significant tax-related considerations, other than taxation, that were responsible for the revolts that were thrown up in late colonial southwestern Nigeria. Some scholars have also noted a comparative process that is currently unfolding; that it was the need to raise money that forced the hands of the colonial authority into democratization and that the despondency of the indigenous population was a major reason for the crises that enveloped Yorubaland from 1925 up to 1955. These claims have been fully tested. In the article ‘Tax Revolts in Yoruba land, 1925-1955’, questions are asked and arguments explored using archival and oral evidence. The study found that the high-handedness of the Native Authority and other social and economic considerations were genuine reasons for the discontent of the indigenous population. These were significant constraints that morphed into spontaneous violent responses across Yorubaland against British colonialism.

The establishment of the British colonial administration and the introduction of the Indirect Rule system attracted opposition and riots in some places in Southern Nigeria. Indeed, the British decentralized despotism, the introduction of some burdensome taxation policies, and other prevalent tax related considerations naturally engendered resistance, which manifested in protest movements, revolts and outright riots in some places in Yorubaland. The article adopts the frustration-aggression theory. Evidence gathered from primary and secondary sources, chief among them being archival sources, interviews, and the use of extant literature. The paper argues that the increase in taxes after World War II had a political underpinning to the protest that led to the Erunkoja riot of 1948. Put differently, the riot was a consequence of the overbearing impact that increased taxes from the Second World War had on the people

The present study examined the causes, course and consequences of the Aba Women revolts in colonial Nigeria (West Africa). Using a combination of primary and secondary historical sources, the study found that a multiplicity of remote and immediate factors were responsible for the revolt. While taxation of men and rumored extension of same to women was the immediate cause of the revolts, the factors such as low price of palm produce/high cost of imported goods, discontent arising from persecution and corruption from native courts system, and change in the method of buying produce (from buying by measure to buying by weight) were also significant. The study revealed that the well organised women's revolts were targeted at the native courts, warrant chiefs and foreign business interests. The study also found that the seat of the revolts was not Aba, but Oloko, and women from many parts of the province participated. Lastly, the study established that the revolts changed the dynamics of colonial administration in Owerri Province as it led to changes in administrative modalities. The study concluded that women were not passive victims of colonial oppression but active collaborators in the resistance to oppressive and repressive colonial policies.

In 2016, the spiritual base of Boko Haram, known as ‘Camp Zero’ was captured. With such success, most had thought that the chicken has finally come home to roost. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Because aside from Boko Haram, the country seems to experience other vagaries of insecurity. This range from kidnapping, cult and ritual groups in the south—such as female pant hunters, Badoo—oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism, cattle rustling and herdsmen–farmers crises, among others. Against this backdrop, this study is an attempt to trace the history of the terror group and examine the numerous insecurity challenges across the country despite international collaborations. The study revealed among other things that the perpetuation of terror and insecurity in the land is a reflection of the nature of the state itself—a failing, weak state. The study recommends that until there is a solution to the nature of the state itself, the insecurity will continue. Some of the solutions suggested are entrenchment of good leadership, political will, rule of law, good governance, eradication of poverty and illiteracy, and inclusive policies, among others.