National Day is celebrated in Nigeria on October 1.
This day celebrates the day, when Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain in 1960.
After that the First Republic was founded, that existed till 1996.
Britain started to strengthen its influence in Nigeria in the 1800s after abolition of slave trade in Europe.
Lagos in southern Nigeria was occupied in 1884 and Britain established the Oli River Protectorate.
Britain’s power over the territory of Nigeria was acknowledged by other European nations in 1885.
In 1914 Britain united the areas of Niger as Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, but its administration remained divided into Northern and Southern Protectorates and Lagos Colony.
Nigerian nationalism started growing during the time of World War II.
After its end a wave for independence swept across Africa and Nigeria gained its independence on October 1, 1960.
