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Legacy of Empire: How British Military Traditions Shaped the Nigerian Army

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From Colonial Forces to Modern Soldiers: The Lasting Influence of British Military Structures in Nigeria

The Nigerian Army owes much of its foundation and organisational culture to British colonial military traditions. Formed to enforce imperial authority, protect trade interests, and maintain internal order, these colonial forces established the structures, training norms, and leadership patterns that continue to influence Nigerian soldiers. Understanding this history provides insight into the institutional foundations, recruitment practices, and professional culture of the Nigerian Army.

Colonial Beginnings: The Glover Hausas and Lagos Constabulary

The origins of the Nigerian Army can be traced to 1863, when Lieutenant John Hawley Glover of the Royal Navy raised a small group of Hausa recruits in Lagos. Known as the Glover Hausas, they were tasked with protecting British trade routes and assisting in expeditions against communities resisting colonial authority. This force evolved into the Hausa Constabulary and later the Lagos Constabulary, functioning as both a military and policing body. These early formations laid the groundwork for a structured military force in Nigeria and introduced principles of discipline, hierarchy, and organisation that would persist for decades.

The Formation of the West African Frontier Force and Nigeria Regiment

In 1901, the British established the West African Frontier Force, consolidating various local and regional units under central command. In Nigeria, this created the Northern and Southern Nigeria Regiments, which merged by 1914 to form the Nigeria Regiment. The regiment participated in imperial campaigns, including operations in German West Africa during the First World War, while simultaneously maintaining internal security and supporting colonial administration. This dual role helped instil operational flexibility and loyalty to command structures among Nigerian soldiers, characteristics that remain part of the army’s professional ethos.

Recruitment Practices and Regional Composition

Colonial recruitment policies were influenced by regional considerations, leading to a higher representation of northern communities in the Nigerian Regiment. Soldiers from different regions were trained under British command, fostering a culture of discipline, hierarchy, and obedience. This early recruitment system established patterns that influenced the composition and internal dynamics of the army even after independence.

Training, Leadership, and Officer Development

Initially, British officers held the majority of senior positions, while African soldiers served as enlisted personnel or non-commissioned officers. Training followed British military standards, including drill, discipline, leadership, and tactical instruction. By the late 1940s, Nigerian soldiers began receiving commissions, marking the transition toward indigenous leadership. Officers trained in Nigerian institutions and British military academies established professional norms that guided the Nigerian Army after independence, ensuring continuity and organizational cohesion.

Colonial Operations and Internal Security Roles

Under colonial rule, the Nigerian Regiment and other units of the West African Frontier Force were engaged in internal security operations and imperial campaigns. They suppressed uprisings such as the Bussa Rebellion of 1915, ensured compliance with colonial taxation, and maintained order across various protectorate regions. This dual function as both a policing and military force reinforced operational discipline and responsiveness to command, traits that persisted in the independent army.

Transition to Independence and Nigerianisation

During the 1950s, as Nigeria approached independence, the process of Nigerianisation gradually replaced British officers with Nigerian commanders. This culminated in the formation of the independent Nigerian Army in 1960. Despite the change in leadership, the army retained British-derived organisational structures, rank systems, and training methodologies. These foundations allowed the Nigerian Army to develop a professional identity while maintaining continuity with its historical roots.

Enduring Legacy of British Military Traditions

British colonial military traditions continue to shape the Nigerian Army in multiple ways. Rank hierarchies and command systems reflect British influence, while drill, discipline, and professional standards follow historical norms. Early Nigerian officers trained under British systems set the tone for subsequent generations, and the army’s dual role in national security and internal stability traces back to colonial practices. This legacy highlights the long-lasting impact of British military structures on Nigeria’s armed forces.

Conclusion: Understanding the Institutional Heritage

The development of the Nigerian Army from colonial forces into a modern military institution demonstrates the importance of historical continuity in shaping organisational culture. Early recruitment patterns, officer training, operational roles, and structural organisation all reflect British military influence. Tracing this history provides insight into the army’s professional identity, discipline, and operational effectiveness, showing how institutional legacies continue to shape Nigeria’s soldiers today.

Author’s Note

This article demonstrates how British colonial military traditions formed the foundation of the Nigerian Army, influencing recruitment, training, operational roles, and officer development from the 19th century to independence. Readers are shown how historical continuity shaped the army’s professional culture, organisational structure, and operational ethos, providing insight into the forces that guide Nigerian soldiers in modern times. The legacy of colonial structures explains both the strengths and institutional characteristics of the Nigerian Army, and understanding this history is essential for appreciating its contemporary role.

References

Nigerian Army – Ministry of Defence. Official history of the Nigerian Army’s origin and structure. Historical documentation on the Nigeria Regiment and West African Frontier Force. E.C. Ejiogu, Colonial Army Recruitment Patterns and Post-Colonial Military Coups d’État in Africa: The Case of Nigeria. Officer commissioning history and early Nigerian officers. Bussa Rebellion historical records and WAFF operations.

 

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Bosso replaces Danjuma as Imo Police Command CP

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The Imo State Police Command, Owerri, has a new Police Commissioner in the person of Audu Garba Bosso, who replaced Aboki Danjuma, the outgoing Police Commissioner. Danjuma was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and posted to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Upon assumption of duty, CP Bosso called on sister security agencies, stakeholders, and all residents to collaborate with the police in tackling crime and social vices.

He stressed that community-based policing, intelligence-led operations, and a people-friendly approach will guide his administration, with strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In a brief biography made available to journalists by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, it was revealed that CP Bosso was born on December 31, 1967, in Bosso, Niger State.

He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on June 10, 1994, as a Cadet ASP, Course 18/1994.

Revealing his academic history, Okoye stated that CP Bosso holds an NCE in Geography/Biology, a B.Sc.Ed in Biology, and an M.Sc in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is also a member of the National Institute of Policing Studies (MNIPS).

In the course of his career, he has attended key professional courses, including PMF Mobile Training School, Citizenship and Leadership Course, Community Policing Course, TLCC, and SLCC, which have shaped his strategic and community-oriented policing philosophy.

The command’s spokesperson added that before his recent deployment to Imo State, CP Bosso served as DPO in over twenty-two divisions nationwide across Sokoto and Kwara State Commands, including Bale Gudu, Dange-Shuni, Wamako, and Kebbe Divisions in Sokoto State, as well as ‘B’ Division, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State Command, among others.

“He also held strategic appointments across several state commands, which include: CSP Administration, Kwara State Command; 2i/c Ilorin Metro Area Command, Kwara; 2i/c CID, Katsina State Command; AC Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Area Commander, Saki, Oyo State Command; Area Commander, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State Command; ACP Administration, Enugu State Command; Area Commander, Iyekogba, Edo State Command; Director CPTU, Police Service Commission, Jos; Director Finance & Administration, POLAC Wudil, Kano State; DCP G.I FCID Annex, Gombe State; DCP Operations, Borno State Command; and CP G.I FCID Annex, Kaduna State, before his posting to Imo State,” Okoye stated.

The new Commissioner has called on all Imo residents to actively partner with the Police and other security agencies through timely information sharing and participation in community policing initiatives, assuring the public of his commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining peace, and fostering a people-friendly policing culture across the state.

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After Bitten To De@th By Snake, Another Snake Reportedly Found Under Ambulance Carrying Nanyah’s Remains Back Home

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A London-based teacher and culture ambassador, Uche Nworah, has shared a shocking incident that reportedly occurred while the remains of late singer Ifunanya Nwangene popularly known as Nanyah, were being transported to Enugu.

Nworah, who claims to have been Facebook friends with Ifunanya’s uncle for years, revealed details he says were shared directly by her uncle during a phone conversation.

Contrary to earlier reports circulating on social media, Nworah clarified that Ifunanya did not reside on the ground floor of her Abuja apartment but on the second floor.

This, he noted, raises questions about how snakes could have accessed her living space, as ground-floor access via drains or toilets would not apply.

According to Nworah, the ambulance carrying Ifunanya’s body broke down while en route to Enugu, in line with her father’s wishes.

The breakdown caused a delay as a replacement vehicle had to be called to continue the transport.

While waiting for the replacement ambulance, a snake was reportedly found under the broken-down vehicle.

Sharing the uncle’s account on Facebook, Nworah wrote:

“…Beyond social media claims, I received a call from Ifunanya’s uncle, who has been my Facebook friend for many years. During our conversation, he made disclosures that some may consider disturbing, while others may view them as mere coincidences.

He stated that contrary to widespread reports on social media, Ifunanya did not live on the ground floor of her residence but on the second floor. This raises questions about how snakes could have gained access to her apartment. Had she lived on the ground floor, one might argue that the snakes entered through drainage systems or toilets, but this explanation appears less straightforward given that she lived on the second floor.

He further recounted a strange incident that occurred while her body was being transported to Enugu State in an ambulance, in accordance with her father’s wishes. According to him, the ambulance conveying her remains broke down along the Abuja Expressway, necessitating calling for a replacement vehicle. During the wait he said, a snake was discovered beneath the broken-down ambulance and was subsequently killed.

While these incidents may be entirely unrelated and purely coincidental, they nonetheless raise questions and leave room for reflection.”

The revelation has sparked discussion online, with many questioning the unusual events surrounding the singer’s death.

See below;

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FMINO PRESS RELEASE: CAC AT 35 YEARS HAS BECOME A PILLAR OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC CREDIBILITY – INFORMATION MINISTER

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The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transparency, institutional reform, and ease of doing business, describing effective inter-agency collaboration as critical to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister made this known while receiving the Registrar-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, who led the delegation of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Ministry ahead of the Commission’s 35th anniversary celebration (CAC@35).

Idris commended the Corporate Affairs Commission for what he described as remarkable institutional reforms that have repositioned the Commission as “a key driver of Nigeria’s business environment and economic credibility.” He noted that CAC’s transformation, particularly through technology and digitisation, aligns strongly with the Federal Government’s broader reform agenda.

The Minister praised CAC’s role in improving the ease of doing business, strengthening corporate governance, and enhancing investor confidence, stressing that such reforms are vital to national development. He also acknowledged the Commission’s contribution to Nigeria’s recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a major milestone that reflects growing global confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory and transparency frameworks.

According to him, the progress recorded under the Tinubu administration, including rising foreign reserves, easing inflation, improved investor confidence, and economic stabilisation, cannot be fully told without recognising the role of reform-driven institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The Minister further encouraged CAC to intensify public engagement and advocacy to ensure Nigerians are fully informed about the Commission’s innovations, services, and achievements. He assured the Commission of the Ministry’s support in amplifying its reforms and programmes through strategic communication and public enlightenment.

Earlier, the Registrar-General of CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, said the courtesy visit was to formally invite the Honourable Minister to the Commission’s 35th anniversary celebration and to present a scorecard of reforms achieved under the current administration.

He explained that CAC has transitioned from a largely manual, location-bound registry to a fully digital, technology-driven institution, with services now accessible in real time from anywhere in the country. He disclosed that the Commission has expanded its digital offerings from 33 services to over 100 online services, deployed artificial intelligence for business name reservation and registration, and introduced Application Programming Interface (API) services to support banks, embassies, security agencies, and other institutions.

The Registrar-General highlighted the operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, noting that it has strengthened transparency, boosted investor confidence, and positioned Nigeria as a global reference point for corporate disclosure. He added that CAC’s reforms have helped bring over four million informal businesses into the tax net, improved security by registering POS operators, and supported small and medium-scale enterprises through free business registrations in partnership with relevant agencies.

He also announced the Commission’s upcoming partnership with Google to further strengthen its digital infrastructure and service delivery, as well as the launch of an AI-powered public support platform to guide users on corporate and regulatory matters.
He thanked the Honourable Minister for the warm reception and support, and formally invited him to the CAC@35 anniversary celebration scheduled for February 9, 2026.

The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary of Information and National Orientation, Mr Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Director National Archives, Dr. Evelyn Odigboh, Director Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Haruna Suleiman, and the Special Assistant, Administration to the Honourable Minister, Dr. Sunday Baba, fnipr.

Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

 

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