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)
)
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:
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Good work done,thanks for keeping the nigeria history alive.please we will like it if you can combine the past old days pictures with some present pictures. Thanks
Biafra will stand. Nigeria will soon fall…. Up Biafra
You are sick. Is that what you can say from all these beautiful memorable pictures
Am an Ibo too, we all went through the pains that other tribes may not understand, but please be civilized in making public comments. Thanks.
How dare you!
I think the Igbos should actually leave Nigeria. They are pests, and leaving Nigeria will mean terminating ALL types and forms of employments given to Igbos in all non-Igbo states, and in all Federal Institutions as well. Their property and houses too should be compulsorily acquired at any rate the government deems fit. They will not be able to work, or spend more than 3 months in cities like Lagos, as their Nigerian passports will be dispossessed and replaced with whatever their new fucking country is called. Its about time, they are a disgusting lot even the educated ones among them
Na your mama go fight the 2nd biafra abi? Ndi Ara… Stupid illiterate!
Ass hole. Stupid mother fucker. You must be crazy, you think can make Biafra happen? I don’t blame you, you probably are one of those idiotic membrane who doesn’t know history. Idiot.
Stupid you
you are really out of it. after this wonerful history lesson this is all you can say?
i am ibo too but what has any thing on this page got to do with biafra. and please stop wishing for another war, you do not ant to see that in your life time
Hmmm.. nice picture collection.. but out of 40, it seem to be only 2 showing of the eastern region…
Us that really an issue? Can’t we just think Nigeria rather than regions? It’s possible that the author couldn’t find any in the archives. You can contribute by submitting whatever picture you have.
Nigerians and, indeed posterity will appreciate you for it if you will research and supply oldies from the Eastern block
The Igbos and this inferiority complex they have when it comes to Yorubas especially. Incidentally, Lagos looked so so sane as compared to today that their clan have overpopulated, and over congested the city, and made it so ugly and undesirable – with their presence littering the city. They cant seem to exist without thronging to Lagos. Igbos need to stop crying about silly things which Yorubas dont even notice or have precious time for. Please develop your states . they are ghost towns already and i am sure you should be extremely ashamed of yourselves ie the Igbos.
It is true a lot of changes and development has taken place i wish we could go back to that time when every body in Nigeria are enjoying this country when there is light e.t.c. Great work keep reminding the leaders of how everything was………
Those pictures took me back to memory lane…….God bless Nigeria!!!
Browsing through those pictures one by one , obviously to me it means we (the Nigerians) cannot manage ourselves (fact!!!). If Nigeria under the British in the 50’s were living like the western world. And since the advent of democracy there ‘s never been any notable improvements – then, it means the so called “democracy or self government” is nothing but an expression of mediocrity.
You’re right. We are hopeless. The whites left this country in a pretty good state which we should have continued to develop. Instead we’ve nearly destroyed it.
Thank you my brother, we weren’t ripe for independence. Yet we fought tooth and nail for it. Now that’s the repacaution, and some fool somewhere in this forum thinks that Biafra is the best solution. Let him ask those who fought the war, how it was, how the felt.
Shocking !!! One can imagine how beautiful Nigeria would have been if tge British were left to stay .
Quite nostalgic!!!
Our heavenly father,we thank you for the special
Love you have for our country Nigeria.We are still one despite various national challenges.Thank you very much daddy.
Still one cause of the oil . nothing more.
We were never meant to have been one. its a fallacy, and ‘unfair’ amalgamation of totally different regions.
you cant force even a marriage between a man and woman who never loved each other
Dear, these pictures are collections from various sources. If you have any old pictures or you have sources where the editors can have pictures of Eastern Nigeria, am sure they will be very glad to get them and update this collection.
Thank my brother for the prayer. I join you in saying Amen to it.
Great pics dated way back from the days of our for fathers. Truly as an akwa ibomite, I’ll have loved to see more pics from the old cross river state, etc. oron, even, ikot ekpene and uyo. Thanks
Yes Mr Udoh, You are correct but underline where the compiler of those pics demand more from those with relevant contribution. Thus, where you did not see anything nor you saw very few regarding your region or place of birth, the onus falls on you or friends or family to provide such. Needless squabbling over such a great nostagic event.
Nigerians should grow up.
The collector of those beautiful old days pics never intend to turn event herein to indepence or break away forum. Where anyone feel oppressed, the United Nations is best place to commence.
But then, Any agitators or quest for freedom is very free needless hurling insults at One another.
Its well with us all, Its well with our nation!
Beautiful and memorable pictures. So Lagos was this clean and less congested then. How i wish we could turn back the hands of the clock. We have not managed our development well at all.
What a good job! Thanks for keeping Nigeria history alive for the present generation and even the future ones. Please kindly get us both the old and new pictures together so that we can pictured and valued out the beauty of our NEW NIGERIA. Thanks.
Nigeria then was beautiful and peaceful. The present day Nigeria is just a shadow of the past. Nothing is working. No electricity, roads are bad, insecurity and our so called leaders are corrupt and are self-centered.
wonderful… this is very necessary to remind us of how things were before now and the need to sustain our unity in diversity
what a great picture,and a great country, i pray God continue ur great work in this country u gave to us pls father all d enemy of d progress of dis country father distroy them,nd let ur peace in abbundant continue to rain ijn amen.
It’s painful seeing such pictures and today’s pictures of Nigeria. Since the white man left the power to so koto caliphate nothing has ever worked .amalgamation was the worst thing that happened to Nigeria .
This made my day. I’m such a Vintage/history buff….
Lovely postcards and pictures
nostalgic feeling.Got married at the Chapel in ibadan and they sure have kept it very well.It’s just sad with the present situation and How the country is.Nice compilations.
I wasn’t born in that era, but Nigeria looked very beautIFU and peaceful! Nigeria will be beautIFU again! I’m doing my own part to make that happen…
May God’ s abundant blessings be multiied unto you. God will cause you to achieve that which you desire in your heart in Jesus Mighty Name! Amen
Better Nigeria we pray as a Government will be sworn in by 29th.. God Bless NG
Seriously the old Nigeria look really good and well organized
We as Nigerians do not know how lucky we are …with everything falling apart in sevral other countries we should count ourselves very lucky to still be at peace …I feel sorry for the young igbo man screening biafra …bu then even in the mist of peaceful loving people I guess a hint of madness is allowed to remind the normal minded people of love peace and unity d basis opon which the country, Nigeria was originally built on …Nigeria has indeed grown and is blossoming to become the beauty of the world every day…no contry even America got to where they are now without first nearly going extinct. ..look at the grate depression amongst otheres, am not saying we have to get to that extent but its darkest before dawn..lets persevere and hang in there ..Nigeria will be great I tell u…thanks for the lovely pictures. .God bless our motherland .
It’s indeed nostalgic to see all those nice pix. How I wish things will come back to those good old day. Will like to see old picso from the former North East. Shehu’s Palace, Durbar etc. Nice collection.
This is very good. Honestly I prefer the look of the old Nigeria.everywhere looking so beautiful and clean!!!Development sometimes can be a drag!!!!
Wow, the old Nigeria is well organised. I believe it was the handwork of our colonial masters.It is a shame that after independence, we could not build on the legacy of our founding fathers. Having seen those pictures, I feel like crying for present day Nigeria.
better days ahead
Nigeria is pefectly growing.
Please leave your comment… Words cant express how delighted i am having taken a glance at those historic pictures…Nigeria will persevere to reach the highest point of development. It is just a matter of time.. Our heterogenous nature is never a curse but a blessing on us. In Unity we will thrive against all humiliations and oposition. WAZOBIA arise!
Nice pic wish nja of today is the one of yesterday.
this is phenomenon,i can show this pics to my grandchildren so they can appreciate the transformation from when their parents grew up. It is nostalgic.
Marvelous collection my friend. It takes a golden mind to put these together.let all that appreciate art rejoice in the golden age of our country. The rats have eaten its flesh and we are left with a carcass. We are left with an eyesore for a nation. A nation whose beauty in the day light is swallowed by the darkness at night. The night further made restless with the perpetual high decbel of Japanese/Chinese
electric generators. May the almighty Allah guard and guide General(Rtd) Alhadji Mohammed Buhari and repose the souls of Generals (Rtd) Murtala Mohammed and Tunde Idiagbon.
Thank you for the pictures. Please could you show this present generation pictures of Nigeria national shipping line fagship eg ‘River Gongola’ Power station in Ijora, Lagos bar beach, groundnut pyramids in Kano, Cocoa plantations in the West and the passenger ship that used to bring passengers from UK
Nigeria is a very great nation, with these beautiful old memorials, i believe more progress still to come.
It’s a lovely thing you did dear, you got a beautiful eye indeed, we proud of you. But do me and others whom would like you to compare old and new. Let’s see. How far we have grown or fallen apart? Nigeria is one and so shall it be.
This is sweet and a big challenge to us all to also leave a sweet past for our coming generations to savour. This can be done if choose to. God Nigeria.
Cool me need to start thinking sustainability so that our unborn child will be proud of us.
God Bless NIGERIA.
Hi,
Wonderful old photo’s… I am looking for photo’s of the former Akintola apartment building on 22, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
Is there someone who perhaps is in the possession of pictures, or can perhaps give me a web address where I can find them?
Thanks!
Best regards,
Lynda
I am in a state of real alacrity and enthusiasm.
Oh ye that posted these pic,ye shall continue to experience acceptability and also be remembered for good.Thanks a lot
Beautiful pix,thanks to the nostalgia team. How i wished i lived then,i kind of dig that old Nigeria than this current joke.
Ibe.I don’t know your age but it looks like you were either a toddler or not born during the Nigeria Civil war, otherwise you wouldn’t make such a statement. Nigeria has been accomodating. Thanks to the magnanity of the then Head of State and his Cabinet.
we can learn from the past fortunes,mistakes, efforts,e.t.c. to correct the present and change the future positively. being tribalistic is not the issue,oneness in voice and decision-making. Good work. a legacy to our young generation.God bless Nigeria.
It’s a big thanks and fully appreciate all the Historical photo-pictures seen and still willing to see more of these.
It’s me,
Sule Shangodoyin.
Seeing those pictures leaves me with mixed feelings. Mixed in the sense that we could have preserved our past and developed a new Lagos in the Lekki Corridor. Am impressed with some wonderful comments but Osaretin must go and learn that Love of our neighbours is our highest good. No one chose his/her parentage. And in criticising other people we must be magnanimous. What does a fellow like Osaretin know about our history? It is unfortunate.
Wow.. nice compilation..
What a nice job, more blessing.
You need more of this e.g the 1st church in Nigeria located at Ake in Abeokuta. Centunary hall built in 1930, the accent picture of olumo rock etc.
Good job and memorable collection. You have just reminded me of our Greatest of the Greatest of the Greatest of the Greatest of the Greatest UI (University of Ibadan). This was how we met it in our undergraduate days.
Beautiful sights to behold. I work in marina and seeing that the sea was very close to the present POST OFFICE amazes me. Very soon, our own time will be history to the future generations. Keep the good works men!
Great nation blessed by God . I believe it can be better ; each needs to contribute his or her best for the building of our great nation . Great because God is keeping it and refusing to let go of Nigeria . It will not fall apart . God’s will be done .
What can I say! Thank you a million times. Thank you. Beautiful pictures. For the records, I am Igbo too.
Please leave your comment…Nice work. Would have been more interesting if today’s picture of the same building or structure was published side by side of the old one.