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)
2. General View Of Historic Kano City (1950s)
3. When Queen Elizabeth met her people – Nigerians (1950s)
4. A view from Ikoyi Park, Lagos
5. A Nigerian chief with his family (1910)
6. Fulani Milkmaids (1960s-1970s)
7. Transportation in Nigeria
8. Igbo soldier during the Nigerian Civil War, (November, 1968)
9. Hair braiding in Nigeria. 1960
10. Nigeria leaders in those days
11. Old Carter bridge Lagos
12. Regiment of mounted armed guards in a procession during festival of Sallah in Katsina
13. A Yoruba woman in a traditional attire
14. 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)
16. African Visionary: Chief Festus Sam Okotie-Eboh – a Nigerian politician and former minister for finance (1919-1966)
17. A Nigerian chief with his family, 1910
18. Mary Slessor’s House in Calabar, Built in 1880.
19. CKC (Christ the king College), Onitsha. Central buildings, (1961)
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20. Carter bridge street scene, Lagos Island (1950s)
21. Asaba-Onitsha ferry crossing (1959)
22. The main core of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife.
23. Main Gate University of Ibadan, (1960)
24. The Lagos Railway (1900s)
25. Western House of Assembly, Ibadan (late 1950s)
26. Independence Fountain on the main road leading into the city of Kaduna, Nigeria (1960s)
27. Humuani Mosque, Lagos (1933)
24. Nigeria Airways Fokker 28 at Calabar airport (1970s)
25. The Niger at Jebba (1930)
26. Gurara Waterfalls ( From an old postcard)
27. Entrance to the Emir of Zarias Palace in Kaduna (1973)
28. Lugard Memorial Hall , Kaduna (1960s.)
29. Emirs palace, Kano (1960)
30. Chapel Of The Resurrection, University Of Ibadan (1960s)
31. Central bank of Nigeria, Lagos (1950s)
32. Barclays bank and Shell Petroleum buildings, Lagos (1960s-Early 1970s)
33. University College Hospital, Ibadan (1960s)
34. The Lagos – Kaduna Railway (1936)
35. General Post Office, Lagos (1973)
36. Mapo Hall, Mapo Hill Ibadan (1975)
37. The London and Kano trading company, Lagos (1960s)
38. Ikorodu expressway, Lagos (1970s)
39. Lagos Airport – Fokker FK27 BOAC and Shell Tanker Fokker (1960s)
40. Ibadan, Capital and Seat of Government, Western Nigeria (1968)
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 Facebook. For 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:
Really nostalgic. Good to see. Abeg no biafrra ttalk here abeg.. I love Nigeria. Godless Nigeria
Please leave your comment…osaretin u r a futureless coward, a brainless motherfucker… Biafra is d land of d rising sun, we r d light of nigeria, if we ibos leave nigeria, nigeria will be in total darkness, ibos r natural born hustlers, its only matter of 5yrs after Biafra comes nd we will be much better dan ur ill fated nigeria, osaretin is a coward, he shud quote me anywhere in d world…
Street photography seems easy then compered to now. But lovely pic . how I wish things re like this back then. Our govt should really be blamed for the poor state of dis country. Pity . (
Am very happy seeing this. I want to thank u for a good job. Pls keep it up as much will b learnt from this. Thanks a lot.
I grow up in Nigeria and stayed for 30 years have the best memories I will always love Nigeria,
God bless Nigeria land and the lovely ppl of it
Amin.
In photo # 39, the aircraft is a VC10, not a Fokker. Note the characteristic four engines in the rear. I think Nigeria Airways, had at least one of these aircraft in its fleet.
Thanks for the contribution
Please leave your comment…wow sweet 9ja,so peaceful and beautiful, God bless Nigeria
Let’s understand that, we can’t go to anywhere without loving one another. We must learn to always remain in the umbrella of Nigeria. We are the Future Nigerians, what do we do to improve the image of our loving country……………..I appreciate the effort of this photo journalist. More Greece to your elbow but please don’t be a sensational journalist.
When I saw all these pictures the question that came to mind was:where are those people involved in these pictures? Perhaps most of them must have gone beyond six feet. That made me to conclude that one day will shall also become history. When our children also begin to go down memory lane about us. my prayer is that we leave a good story about us behind. Our everlasting shall not be spent in HELL FIRE! We shall reign with CHRIST IJMN.
A very beautiful reminisce of the past. We have indeed came a long way. Think Nigeria always first as other citizens does of their countries. We can’t expect to be the giant of Africa when we are really not nationalistic. Outside the shore of Nigeria nobody is interested in your tribes but which country are you from? If pictures of your region wasn’t shown here today does not mean you’re are undermined. Tomorrow is another day. After all the first house in a city is not the most beautiful. Kudos to the initiator of this epic forum..
Emeka you are a coward of an igbo man.. beg chukwu okike abiama for mercy for allowing cowardice make you advice a brother wrongly
Please leave your comment…wow good job wt a great nation nd God bless country pls pple let stay nd unit
Please leave your comment…wow good job wt a great nation nd God bless country pls pple let stay nd unit
i really enjoyed this i moss how Nigeria used to be i never got to experience this because i am young but still i wish life could some what be like this. i am a Nigerian not a biafran i am more than just my tribe i am a person from a country of diversity Nigeria together forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These are the best throw back pictures i have ever seen! THANKS
Thanks for the pics…..refreshes memory….together we can build this great nation again..lets love one another. God bless Nigeria
Great post with some fantastic photos. It is surprising how things change so quickly and develop.
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fantastic photos. lets make Nigeria great again
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THANK YOU!!!!! i was breaking my head thinking what to do in my daughters party!!!!!
Nice article