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Pre-Colonial Political Systems in Nigeria

The pre-colonial political system in Nigeria was characterized by traditional governance methods that existed before European colonialism, featuring established systems with checks and balances. The Hausa/Fulani political system emerged in the early 19th century under Usman Dan Fodio, who led a jihad to establish the Fulani Emirates, each governed by an Emir. This highly centralized system allowed the Emir to wield significant power, facilitating the success of indirect rule by colonial authorities in Northern Nigeria.

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2K views2 pages

Pre-Colonial Political Systems in Nigeria

The pre-colonial political system in Nigeria was characterized by traditional governance methods that existed before European colonialism, featuring established systems with checks and balances. The Hausa/Fulani political system emerged in the early 19th century under Usman Dan Fodio, who led a jihad to establish the Fulani Emirates, each governed by an Emir. This highly centralized system allowed the Emir to wield significant power, facilitating the success of indirect rule by colonial authorities in Northern Nigeria.

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oberuatacaleb
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© © All Rights Reserved
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PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM

IN NIGERIA The pre-colonial Nigeria symbolizes the methods or ways by which Nigerians govern
themselves before the advent of colonialism. There was established system of government referred to
as traditional political system in several parts of Nigeria and other parts of West Africa before the advent
of the European Colonial rulers on the coast of West Africa. These orderly and advanced Systems of
government had all the principal organs of government with the principles of checks and balances
applied in some of them. The true historical account is that the European interfered with the traditional
mapped out political system in Africa because of their greed and selfishness. It therefore implies
traditional systems preceded the era of colonialism.
HAUSA/FULANI POLITICAL SYSTEM
The Fulanis took over the political leadership of the Habe (Hausa) states in the early 19th Century. The
Jihad that preceded this occupation was seen as a religious one as well as political. Usman Dan Fodio led
the Fulani Jihad war (1804 – 1810) and took over the political leadership of the Hausa Kingdoms and
then he established the Fulani Emirates. Each Emirate was headed by an Emir. Sokoto and Gwandu were
made the two headquarters for all the Emirates. For administrative convenience, Usman Dan Fodio
divided the Fulani Empire into two-the Eastern and Western Sections. Uthman Dan Fodio became the
head (Sarkin Muslim) of the whole Hausa land. The Eastern section: Kano, Kastina, Zaira, Bauchi, Gombe,
Yola with Sokoto as the capital was under the administrative authority Mohammed Bello son of Uthman
Dan Fodio.

The Western Section: Ilorin, Kantogora and Argungu with Gwandu as the capital was under the
administrative authority of Abdullah, Dan Fodio’s brother. Usman Dan Fodio Furthermore, the Sokoto
and Gwandu caliphates were sub divided into emirates for easy administration. Each emirate was
headed by an Emir who was appointed from two or three ruling families with the approval of the Emir of
Sokoto or Gwandu, depending on the emirate the selection was made. These lesser Emirs were
responsible to the Emirs of Sokoto and Gwandu respectively. However, in each emirate, the Emir was
assisted by some officials who were assigned to certain duties. These officials included:

Structural Organization

1. The Sarki being the King


2. The ‘Waziri’ who was the administrative officer or prime minister.
3. The ‘Galadima’ who was in charge of the capitals.
4. The ‘Madawaki’ who was the commander of the army.
5. The ‘Dogari’ who was the head of the police.
6. The ‘Maaji’, the treasurer.
7. The ‘Sarkin Ruwa’ the river fishing official
8. The ‘Sarkin Fada’ who was responsible for the administration of the palace; and
9. The ‘Sarkin Pawa’, the head of all butchers.
The Hausa pre-colonial political system was a highly centralized one with the Emir possessing almost all
the powers. This was one of the main reasons why the indirect Rule System was very successful in the
Northern part of Nigeria (Hausa/Fulani Empire).

Functions of Political Institutions

 The Sarki made laws, collected taxes, and ensured security.


 The Council of Chiefs (Majalisar Sarakuna)** advised the king.
 Judges (Alkalis)** settled disputes using Sharia law.
 Taxation (Kurdin Kasa)** funded administration.

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