Long before Kaduna rose to prominence as the political nerve center of Northern Nigeria, there was Zungeru, a once-thriving colonial administrative capital nestled in present-day Niger State. Though now a quiet town, Zungeru’s story is layered with historical weight, echoing an era when it served as the heartbeat of British governance in the north.
From dusty records to crumbling buildings, Zungeru today still whispers the legacy of being the first capital of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria between 1902 and 1916. Its relevance in the political cartography of Nigeria cannot be overstated.
The Seat of British Northern Rule
When the British merged their hold over Northern territories, they chose Zungeru, centrally located and accessible, as their administrative base. It was here that early colonial officers, including Sir Frederick Lugard, laid down foundational policies that shaped northern governance.
Zungeru boasted government offices, military barracks, railway connections, and staff quarters, all built in the classic colonial fashion with wide verandas and weather-adapted materials. Though the capital later moved to Kaduna for strategic and climatic reasons, Zungeru remains the original seat of British northern control.
Birthplace of Prominent Nigerian Leaders
Zungeru is not only significant for its colonial roots but also for the figures it gave to Nigerian history. It is the birthplace of Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, born here in 1904 during his father’s service as a colonial civil servant. This singular fact ties Zungeru intimately to the evolution of Nigerian nationalism.
Visitors interested in the lives of early Nigerian leaders often see Zungeru as a symbolic intersection of colonialism and the rise of African self-determination.
Today’s Silent Witness
While many colonial-era buildings have fallen into disrepair, traces of Zungeru’s past still stand, some structures overgrown by grass, others used by local authorities or religious groups. The town also contains a European cemetery, with tombstones dating back to the early 1900s, a haunting reminder of colonial mortality and presence.
There have been calls to preserve Zungeru as a national heritage site, recognizing its potential as a historical tourism hub and educational destination.
