However it is possible to raise the question to what extent the conditions they lived in during colonialism resembled an authentic nation? And the answer to this question is: very little. This is because sovereignty and independence look very different from colonialism and this was evident when Nigeria finally gained independence in 1960. Suddenly the separate kingdoms had to unify systematically and politically, not just across geographical borders. Shortly after independence Nigeria appeared to be a “beacon of hope” for Africa, the newly independent state had adopted a multi-party system, had a constitution that promised sovereignty and was democratic. However, in 1966, three years after its founding, the first republic failed. Nigeria was extremely unstable and among the reasons was the lack of tolerance among politicians and the inability to agree on policies or rule of law. It is clear that although the government was stable during the colonial era, it was not prepared for the consequences of independents and the blame for this can be placed on the British colonialists who used indirect rule to make Nigerians appear to rule themselves. country when in reality what they were doing was child's play in direct and independent comparison