'Colonialism has hindered the economic development of some countries.' With reference to a developing country or region that you have studied, describe two ways in which colonialism has limited that area’s development. - Leaving Cert Geography - Question B - 2010

One way in which colonialism has limited Nigeria’s development is through the exploitation of its resources.

During colonial rule, Britain focused on extracting valuable resources such as oil, cocoa, and tin from Nigeria, primarily for export. This led to a lack of investment in local industries and infrastructure, as the economy was structured to benefit the colonizers rather than the local population. The result was a mono-economy reliant on the export of raw materials, which stunted overall economic growth and diversification.

Another way colonialism limited Nigeria's development is through the disruption of local governance structures.

Colonial powers imposed foreign government systems that disregarded traditional local leadership and councils. This disruption weakened the political structures that had traditionally managed community resources and conflicts. The result was a lack of political stability and a fragmented society that struggled to establish effective governance structures after independence, hindering long-term developmental strategies.