PRECOLONIAL AND COLONIAL NIGERIA - GHANA RELATIONS

Abstract

Precolonial and colonial periods have been the most effective periods in African history. For Nigeria and Ghana, both periods among other things shaped the structure of their socio-economic relations. Although the colonial period is perhaps considered as the harbinger of African ordeal, scholars of history have not given profound attention to certain precolonial and colonial factors which African nations can glean as historical lessons and strategy for future socio economic cooperation and integration. Using historical analysis and relying on both primary and secondary sources of data, it was found that trade and migration fueled Nigeria-Ghana relations in both periods but was also sustained by other social interactions like sports, nationalism and quest for freedom and independence in the colonial era. Both precolonial and colonial periods have several untapped areas that historical scholars can garner peculiar panaceas to the challenges of Africa.