• The British establish a presence around Lagos, which in present day is the most populous city in Nigeria.
  • Until 1914, Britain governs over Nigeria through "indirect rule", using local leaders.

  • Nigeria gains its independence.
  • Three eastern states secede as the Republic of Biafra, sparking a bloody civil war.
  • The former Biafra regions are reintegrated into Nigeria following a surrender by Biafra's leaders. 

  • The presidents of Nigeria, South Africa, and Algeria launch the New Partnership for African Development, which aims to foster economic development and foreign investment and lift existing trade barriers.

  • Lenders agree to write off two-thirds of Nigeria's $20 billion foreign debt.

  • Oil production in Nigeria is cut in half as a result of strikes and militant attacks on oil pipelines. This decrease in production contributes to record-high world oil prices.

  • Hundreds die in northeastern Nigeria after the Boko Haram Islamist movement launches an enduring campaign of violence.

  • President Umaru Yar'Adua dies after a long illness. Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, already acting in Yar'Adua's stead, succeeds him.

  • Government declares state of emergency in three northern states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa and sends in troops to combat Boko Haram.

  •  Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger form military coalition and push Boko Haram out of all towns back into Sambisa Forest.

  • Muhammadu Buhari wins the presidential election, becoming the first opposition candidate to do so in Nigeria's history.

  • Escalating attacks by Boko Haram from August onwards, targeting army bases.

  • Muhammadu Buhari is re-elected for a second four-year term

Sources:

BBC News open_in_new
Britannica open_in_new