40 Old Photos That Will Show You How Times Have Changed In Nigeria

Nigeria has grown to be Africa’s largest economy; the country has transformed from an unpretentious mishmash to a soaring capital in less than a century. You will be amazed at how Nigeria has changed throughout history, from economic growth, population growth, innovative government, oil and gas boom, transportation, real estate developments and revolutions. We look back at the history of Nigeria, we remember the good times and the bad times, we also look at the way people used to live and dress.

We present to you 40 old photos that will show you how times have changed in Nigeria. These stunning photos show the big difference between those days and now:

1. Independence Building and Lagos Harbour (1974)

Lagos Harbour in 1974

2. General View Of Historic Kano City (1950s)

KANO CITY, Nigeria, 1950-1970's; General View Of Historic Kano City

3. When Queen Elizabeth met her people – Nigerians (1950s)

Queen Elizabeth in Nigeria

4. A view from Ikoyi Park, Lagos

A view from Ikoyi Park, Lagos

5. A Nigerian chief with his family (1910)

A Nigerian chief with his family, 1910

6. Fulani Milkmaids (1960s-1970s)

Fulani MilkmaidsJohn Hinde Collection (1960s-1970s)

7. Transportation in Nigeria

Transportation - Old

8. Igbo soldier during the Nigerian Civil War, (November, 1968)

Igbo soldier during the Nigerian Civil War, November, 1968

9. Hair braiding in Nigeria. 1960

Hair braiding, 1960

10. Nigeria leaders in those days

 

Nigeria Leaders - Olden days

11. Old Carter bridge Lagos

Old Carter bridge Lagos

12. Regiment of mounted armed guards in a procession during festival of Sallah in Katsina

Regiment of mounted armed guards in a procession during festival of Sallah, Katsina, Nigeria

13. A Yoruba woman in a traditional attire

A Nigerian woman in Traditional dress. Photo by John Hinde

14. A man and a lady on a motorcycle in Lagos Nigeria (1969)

A man and a lady on a motorcycle in Lagos Nigeria (1969)

15. Ben Ekanem’s equestrian Statue of Queen Amina- National Theatre Lagos, (1980)

Ben Ekanem’s equestrian Statue of Queen Amina- National Theatre Lagos, 1980

16. African Visionary: Chief Festus Sam Okotie-Eboh – a Nigerian politician and former minister for finance (1919-1966)

African Visionar-Chief Festus Sam Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966)

 17. A Nigerian chief with his family, 1910

A Nigerian chief with his family, 1910

 

 

18. Mary Slessor’s House in Calabar, Built in 1880. 

Mary Slesssor's House

19. CKC (Christ the king College), Onitsha. Central buildings, (1961) 

CKC (Christ the king College), Onitsha. Central buildings, 1961 )

20. Carter bridge street scene, Lagos Island (1950s) 

Carter bridge street scene, Lagos Island 1950s. Published by Federal ministry of Information

21. Asaba-Onitsha ferry crossing (1959)

Asaba-Onitsha ferry crossing 1959

22. The main core of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife.

University of Ife - now OAU

23. Main Gate University of Ibadan, (1960)

Main Gate, University of Ibadan 1960s

24. The Lagos Railway (1900s)

The Lagos Railway 1900s

25. Western House of Assembly, Ibadan (late 1950s)

Western House of Assembly, Ibadan

26. Independence Fountain on the main road leading into the city of Kaduna, Nigeria (1960s)

Independence Fountain on the main road leading into the city of Kaduna, Nigeria

27. Humuani Mosque, Lagos (1933)

Humuani Mosque, Lagos -1933

24. Nigeria Airways Fokker 28 at Calabar airport (1970s)

Nigeria Airways Fokker 28 at Calabar airport 1970s

25. The Niger at Jebba (1930)

Niger at Jebba in 1930

26. Gurara Waterfalls ( From an old postcard)

Gurara Waterfalls

27. Entrance to the Emir of Zarias Palace in Kaduna (1973)

Emir of Zarias Palace in Kaduna 1973

28. Lugard Memorial Hall , Kaduna (1960s.)

Lugard Memorial Hall , Kaduna

29. Emirs palace, Kano (1960)

Kano mosque 1960s

30. Chapel Of The Resurrection, University Of Ibadan (1960s)

Chapel Of The Resurrection, University Of Ibadan

31. Central bank of Nigeria, Lagos (1950s)

Central bank of Nigeria, Lagos

32. Barclays bank and Shell Petroleum buildings, Lagos (1960s-Early 1970s)

Barclays and Shell Petroleum Buildings, Lagos

33. University College Hospital, Ibadan (1960s)

University College Hospital, Ibadan c1960s

34. The Lagos – Kaduna Railway (1936)

The Lagos - Kaduna railway. This picture was taken in 1936

35. General Post Office, Lagos (1973)

General Post Office, Lagos 1973

36. Mapo Hall, Mapo Hill Ibadan (1975)

Mapo Hall, Mapo Hill Ibadan

37. The London and Kano trading company, Lagos (1960s)

The London and Kano trading company, Lagos

38. Ikorodu expressway, Lagos (1970s)

Ikorodu expressway, Lagos 1970s

39. Lagos Airport – Fokker FK27 BOAC and Shell Tanker Fokker (1960s)

Lagos Airport

40. Ibadan, Capital and Seat of Government, Western Nigeria (1968)

Ibadan, Capital and Seat of Government

Nigeria has changed beyond recognition, these photos has transformed Nigeria into the country we know today.

These photographs are directly from Nigerian Nostalgia Project’s archives and The Nigerian Nostalgia 1960 -1980 Project on FacebookFor more old pictures and history of Nigeria, Visit: Nigeria Nostalgia

What do you think? Do you have an old picture that shows how times has changed in Nigeria? Share them with us on our Facebook page and leave your comments below:

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208 thoughts on “40 Old Photos That Will Show You How Times Have Changed In Nigeria

  1. Its emotionAl.
    Kisses
    -A

  2. Time has really proven itself reflecting progressive changes, God bless Nigeria as a nation . God bless the people of Nigeria . If all of us could be positive minded, we will live in harmony and enjoy the positive changes . It is not actually the infrastructural changes that matter most but it should be changes in our psychology , i mean changes in our mind towards every aspect of life . These changes should be directed towards our feelings for our country , our feelings for our fellow human being , and our feelings for God as the supreme

  3. It’s sad to see Nigeria in the state we are in now. These picture show that Nigeria is getting worse. It was so beautiful back then. Imagine what the next 50 years will do to nigeria. Why were the Brits able to manage our country much better than us?

  4. This is amazing and knowing then I and my husband were not yet born. It helps me appreciate my dear country more. Thanks so much. God bless Nigeria and let love bind us together.

  5. Good collection of pictures..It was a good refresher. will like to see more collection about the eastern Nigeria and old picture of Biafra days.

  6. The pictures left me nostalgic. Thanks for sharing them.

  7. Gone are those days. Good memories though.

  8. Nice pictures. No. 16 though! Did the guy hang the train of his cloth around a human being’s neck?

  9. This pictures made cry. What happened to Nigeria, my beloved country.

    Nigeria was not really bad in the ages, we simply failed to move with the world.

  10. WOW……… The beauty in our country then can be compared with any in the world at as that time but unfortunately we are lagging behind now.. thank you for this wonderful pictures

  11. Please leave your comment…lovely…..but some of dis pix are still same till dat…dia by no change.

  12. Nigeria has come a long way

  13. Great…..!!!!, You guyz are doing a great job…

  14. Please leave your comment…wow it’s amazing viewing this pictures of my country in those days, we have really gone far in terms of infrastructural development…well i wish to view more from you guys especially from my beautiful state Plateau…..God bless Nigeria

  15. Am glad that have been born during d time when the university of ibadan gate was like that, but thx for sharing this pix.

  16. Why not compare these pictures/sites with what they look like at the moment. You’d quite agree with me that we’ve suffered infrastructural decay. This will make people appreciate the more that successive governments in Nigeria has failed us. Many more structures are in a dilapidated state.i stand to be corrected..

  17. THIS IS GREAT, PLEASE GIVE US MORE

  18. I feel like crying seeing those pictures
    I wish those moments. could come back.
    I really love the pick thanks for sharing !

  19. It’s quite clear that majority of development in this country commenced in the South West and North, no wonder the alarm raised by the people of South east and South South which was brutally suppressed. Unfortunately this ugly trend is still being practiced today. To our Leaders of today from the west and north think about this- Is this really fair to all. If we must as one, we must live in peace. If we must live in peace, their must be justice for all. God please help us.

  20. No 29 Is not a Mosque but entrance of Kano Emir’s Palace.
    Thank You

  21. I think these photos actually makes me have a sense of belonging,im proud to be nigerian

  22. thanks for the history pics.

    • honestly, i love all the pictures, most especially the university of Ibadan entrance gate.long live Nigeria
      SONG
      I LOVE NIGERIA
      I LOVE NIGERIA
      MY DREAM HOME
      GREAT NIGERIA
      I LOVE SO MUCH

  23. Awesome… This indeed is Aye-Atijo as yorubas will say. I really enjoyed myself viewing these pictures, God bless Nigeria.

  24. I so much love the pictures….keep the good work continue….love you guys

  25. This is historic and certainly will continue to keep the memory alive.

  26. I think I cherish d Nigerian of yesterday Dan dat of today. Good job guys.

  27. One always pray for progress. To move forward is an excellent achievement. Comparing those photographs to the present state is unspeakable.

  28. Ikorodu road! Such vision!
    If only you could have stayed that way.

  29. It’s good to have history at your finger tips .that’s great

  30. Nigeria will always be a zoo.

  31. Awesome, to be taken back through pics. Just to say that No.39 is not a Fokker F-27.

  32. Thank you for sharing this historical picture, this is beautiful, Nigeria people lets keep the light burning, I will like us to think through this pictures and see that we have a beautiful country, please let us not Destroy this Good Gift that God has given us my people let build this Nation to last together,so God help us, live a good legacy behind. Beautiful people, Beautiful Nation

  33. Nigeria, as beautiful as ever. This shows the excellent cultural heritage.

  34. Pingback: 40 old photos that will show you how times have changed in Nigeria | Notes from Kokobilo
  35. Very sad, but Nigeria looks worse-off today.

  36. wow! This is fantastic photographs & an amazing monuments. Thank you .

  37. yeah nice job guys…….. number 16 da best

  38. Please leave your comment…it’s indeed admirable to see some notable places in Nigeria of those days, but comparing it vis-a-vis with present day development, I would rather say the level of developments are not appreciable looking at oil booming era of early 70’s

  39. Woooh! Everything was so beautiful way back! Some places are better now tho. God bless my country. I love Nigeria.

  40. Nigeria is a great nation with good mineral resources. I LUV NIGERIA.

  41. Please leave your comment…seeing these collections brings back the me in me and am proud of our nation,atleast our children children will know we have an origin of co-existence and will be move to make an impact. Am going to make a positive impact no matter what the vices are,God bless Nigeria,God bless us.

  42. The good old days, the better Nigeria, when she was ours.

  43. Thanks for sharing those pictures,………. i wish i could go back to those times.

  44. Beautiful! Isn’t it? I didn’t see any old Rivers State pic which was where the crude was forcefully collected from and used in developing the North and West while the state suffers great environment al degradation, pollution and dilapidations. Division is our fate and sooner or later Nigeria will divide.

  45. Beautiful! Isn’t it? I didn’t see any old Rivers State pic which was where the crude was forcefully collected from and used in developing the North and West while the state suffers great environment al degradation, pollution and dilapidations. Division is our fate and sooner or later Nigeria will divide..

  46. My late brother-in-law, an Irishman lived with bis parents at 3 Glover Road Ikoyi in the 50s and 60s and spoke lovingly about the paradise it was. Riding bicycles down quiet lanes to swim in the creeks. and driving through open country to get to Ikeja. I believe things go in cycles and the wheel turns. The environmental degradation and littering which is such a blight on Nigeria today and us the result of explosive population growth and the lack of public amenities and services coupled with a general lack of awareness of personal accountability for caring for the encironment and the need for maintanance can be reversed. The Thames river in the UK was a cess pit 30 years ago. Today it is cleaner a d healthier than it has been in decades. Already you can see improvements in Lagos as a reault of the efforts of the Fashola administration. For Lagos to become a world class city serious and sustained commitment to environme tal care, sewerage disopsal and treatment and infrastructural development is critical. If that happens and each and everyone takes a personal responsibility paradise lost can become paradise found.

    • Very true Mike. If we all take personal responsibility to our environment, paradise lost can become paradise found.

  47. Although the memories were great but I prefer the nigeria now than the because a lot of military coup happen back then that make a lot of people lost their lives and honestly nigeria is more peaceful now compare to the time the British left

  48. this is amazing about our nation but things are better in the olding days han now are days God help our leaders to transformed us

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