Was Nigeria a Portuguese Colony?

Simply put, no, Nigeria was not a Portuguese colony. The British established their control over the region in the late 19th century, leading to the formal creation of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914. Although the Portuguese were among the first Europeans to explore parts of West Africa in the 15th century, they did not establish a lasting colonial presence in Nigeria. Their influence was more prominent in regions such as Angola and Mozambique.

Portuguese Presence in Africa

The Portuguese traders set up fortifications along the coast of Africa, including in what is today Nigeria, in agreement with local authorities. However, Portugal, being a small country, never had the manpower or military to dominate or populate the lands with whom they traded. They did populate some Atlantic islands that were previously unoccupied, and had more or less permanent representation in the coastal fortifications. Nevertheless, they did not go inland and impose their will upon the inhabitants of Africa.

Many records indicate that Portuguese men who found themselves in African strongholds sometimes decided to stay and found families, sometimes sending their children back to Portugal. However, these individuals were not under the authority or representation of the Portuguese king. While the Portuguese did establish a presence in many coastal regions, particularly along the Atlantic, this cannot be considered a colony in the traditional sense.

Nigeria as an Artificial Entity

Nigeria is an artificial entity, similar to many of the present African countries. The Nigerian coastline was first visited by Portuguese sailors in their quest to find a passage to the Indian Ocean. However, due to the prevailing winds and the Cape route becoming more favorable, the ships passed far out in the Atlantic rather than making landfall along the coast. The region around present-day Lagos was frequently visited by Portuguese traders seeking slaves, ivory, and other valuables. It is likely that the name 'Lagos' (which means 'lakes' in Portuguese) was given either because of the numerous lagoons in the area or because many sailors came from the town of Lagos on the southern coast of Portugal. Despite this, there was never a permanent presence of Portuguese people in the area, and Portuguese rule was never enforced in the present Nigerian territory.

While the Portuguese had a significant presence in coastal regions, particularly during the early days of exploration, this cannot be termed a colonial rule. They did not establish a formal colony in Nigeria, and it would be incorrect to refer to Nigeria as a Portuguese colony.