DATE:

SUBJECT: History
TOPIC: Non-centralized States In Pre-colonial Nigeria
OBJECTIVES (WALT): Students will be able to:
1) Explain the meaning of non-centralized states.
2) Mention some examples of non-centralised states in pre-colonial Nigeria.
3) Discuss the characteristics of non-centralized states.

NON-CENTRALIZED STATES IN PRE-COLONIAL NIGERIA

A non-centralize state was a state in which power and authority were not concentrated in the hands of a
single ruler. Non-centralized states did not have kings or queens. There were independence clans or
villages in non-centralized states. Every member played important roles in the administrative of a non-
centralized state. Examples of non-centralized states include:
 Igbo
 Tiv
 Idoma
 Ebira
 Urhobo
 Ijaw
 Oro (Oron)
 Ibibio
 Anang

CHARACTERISTICS OF NON-CENTRALIZED STATES

The following are the characteristics of Non-Centralized state in the pre-colonial Nigeria:
1. Power and authority were not concentrated in the hands of a single ruler
2. Powers were disperse among members of the state.
3. It was a decentralized system of government
4. They were segmentary or stateless society
5. They practiced a system of ruled by elders.
6. There were different categories of title holders
7. There was the existence of age-grade system