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Nigeria

Stamps issued: 1960-PRESENT

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30-kobo Traditional Musical Instruments single

Republic in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea. Nigeria was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century and was an early center of the African slave trade. By the end of the 18th century, British influence was tantamount in the coastal areas. Britain expanded its holdings in the area after 1861 and consolidated its holdings into the protectorates of Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria, which were united to form Nigeria in 1914. Nigeria became an independent federation in 1960 and a republic in 1963. Inter-tribal tensions have been strong since independence. A period of political strife during 1966-67 brought the secession of Biafra, which comprised the mineral-rich southeastern portion of the country. In the ensuing civil war, one million people died, most of them Biafran Ibos. In January 1970, Biafra surrendered and was reabsorbed into Nigeria. Nigeria has rich petroleum deposits and is a member of OPEC. The massive oil price increases of the 1970s enabled Nigeria to launch an ambitious campaign of economic development. Drastic cutbacks in oil exports during 1981-82, however, made it increasingly difficult to maintain these programs. Nigeria has been ruled by the military since 1966, except for a period of civilian rule during 1979-1983.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

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£1 Buffalos single
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1sh6p International Labor Organization single
 

Precedent Countries:


FEDERATION OF NIGERIA
Stamps issued: 1960-1963

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6p Benin Mask single
 

BRITISH COLONY OF NIGERIA
Stamps issued: 1914-1960

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2sh6p Victoria-Buea Road single
 

NORTHERN NIGERIA
Stamps issued: 1900-1914

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10sh Queen Victoria single

Former British protectorate comprising holdings in northern Nigeria. Northern Nigeria merged with the Southern Nigeria Protectorate to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria on January 4, 1914.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

SOUTHERN NIGERIA
Stamps issued: 1900-1912

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10sh Queen Victoria single

A former administrative unit comprised of British holdings in southern Nigeria. In 1914, it was merged with Northern Nigeria to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

LAGOS (BRITISH PROTECTORATE)
Stamps issued: 1874-1905

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1p King Edward VII single

A territory in south Nigeria. Lagos was occupied by Great Britain in 1861 and, during 1886-1906, was a separate protectorate. The territory merged with the Southern Nigerian Protectorate in 1906.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

 

NIGER COAST (BRITISH PROTECTORATE)
Stamps issued: 1892-1900

For period 1861-1874 see Sierra Leone

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10sh Queen Victoria single

Former British holdings in southern Nigeria. The area was absorbed into the Southern Nigeria Protectorate in 1900.

Narrative by Linn's Stamp News

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