Emeka Esogbue

 Top Seven Ancient Powerful Societies that Shaped Nigeria’s History Compiled By Emeka Esogbue There were several ancient societies that shaped today’s Nigerian history. Here are the top most powerful ancient societies in what became Nigeria: 1. Kanem-Bornu Empire – Located in present-day Chad, Nigeria, Cameroun and Libya, the Kanem-Bornu Empire was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa and perhaps, Nigeria’s most powerful and influential kingdom. The Empire was founded by the Kanuri people, a Saharan ethnic group. It had two capitals located in Kanem and Borno. At its peak, it controlled trade routes and built impressive cities. The Kanem-Bornu Empire was known for its powerful military with which it expanded and also protected its trade interest, an extensive trade networks it had already built.  2. Benin Empire – This is one of the most powerful and influential ancient societies in Africa. At its peak, it extended to Lagos and parts of Ondo State and also covering almo...

 Interesting Discourses on Pre-colonial Hausa States and the Neglect by Students - Emeka Esogbue Historians in Nigeria rarely talk about the history of the people living in the northeast and northwest region around Lake Chad and the Hausa states, which are extremely near to Oyo and Benin, two kindred kingdoms in modern-day Southern Nigeria.  It is somewhat unexpected that the southern civilizations of Igbo, Yoruba, Anioma, Benin, and Igala are what typically conjure up images of historical figures on social media. Strangely, professional historians in Nigeria have not done much to direct their attention toward the pre-colonial Hausa cultures that existed before Nigeria was founded.  Students studying history in secondary schools also have a tendency to steer clear of Hausa history. This also extends to university history classes, where aspiring historians have a tendency to gently stray from historical narratives of the Hausa societies.  The tripartite Nigerian ethni...