ABSTRACT
The Nigerian migrant labour and the development of Fernando Poo, a Spanish colony in colonial era Africa (modern-day Equatorial Guinea), is a topic that has received little scholarly attention. This project aims to explore the role of Nigerian migrants in the island's socio-economic and political development between 1890 and 1980. The project examines the experiences of the migrants and the impact of their labour on the island's economy, education, and politics. To achieve the study's objectives, a qualitative research methodology was employed, which included archival research, oral histories. Archival research was conducted in the National Archives of Nigeria, Guinea Ecuatorial, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The oral history and interview components of the study involved the use of semi-structured interviews with former Nigerian migrants and experts in the history of the region. The findings of the study show that Nigerian migrants played a significant role in the development of Fernando Poo, particularly in the cocoa industry, education, and politics. The cocoa industry was the primary economic activity on the island, and Nigerian migrants made up a significant proportion of the workforce. The migrants brought skills and knowledge in cocoa farming, which benefitted the island's economy. Additionally, Nigerian migrant teachers contributed to the development of education on the island, helping to establish the first primary and secondary schools. Similarly, Nigerian migrants played an important role in politics, with some achieving positions of leadership and representation in the colonial government. However, Nigerian migrants also faced significant challenges, including discrimination, exploitation, and repatriation during the colonial period. There were also tensions between the Nigerian migrants and other groups on the island, particularly ethnic Bubi nationals, which sometimes led to violence and conflicts. The study contributes to the literature on African migrant labour and colonial development, highlighting the significant contributions of Nigerian migrants to the development of Fernando Poo, despite the challenges they faced. The study also draws attention to the need for further research on the contributions and challenges faced by African migrants in the development of colonial Africa. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the history of Nigerian migrant labour in colonial Africa, and inform current debates on migration and development.
