European influence in modern-day Nigeria began in the 16th century, when the first explorers from Spain and Portugal began dealing with the indigenous, resulting in the establishment of ports like Lagos. In the late nineteenth century, the British became an increasingly powerful force in the region through the Royal Niger Company, fighting German attempts to expand.
The Royal Niger Company's lands became the Southern Nigeria Protectorate in 1900. This was joined with the Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914 to establish the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, which now serves as Nigeria's boundaries.
Many aspects of modern life in Nigeria were established during the period of British rule, but by the middle of the twentieth century, the call for independence sweeping across Africa and the decline of the territories in the British Empire led to Nigeria's independence on October 1, 1960, under a constitution that included a parliamentary government and some autonomy for the country's three regions.
Nigeria gained complete independence from Britain when it ratified a new constitution on October 1, 1963, with Nnamdi Azikiwe serving as its first president.
Political turmoil sparked a succession of military coups in 1966, and Nigeria was controlled by a military dictatorship until democratic authority was restored on October 1, 1979.
