History of Scouting in Nigeria

Scouting was introduced and incorporated into Nigeria as The Boy Scout Association under the charter, granted on 14 January 1912 and was formally registered in Nigeria on the 23rd of November 1915 by the then Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard under the British Protectorates as Boy Scouts of Nigeria, Scout groups were created for the dependents of British citizens living in the British Protectorates. Shortly after, local boys were permitted to be Scouts. The Warrant endorsing the official existence of our Association with the imposed signature of the Founder – Lord Robert Baden-Powell was dated as above and was awarded. In 1942, The Boy Scout of Nigeria (BSN) was registered under the Company Allied of 1924 as the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria, the Prime Minister of Lagos Protectorate and the Anglican Bishop of Lagos then being the very first Board of Trustee Members of the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria.

Mr. Arthur Brown M.B.E, the first Chief Commissioner who served from 1937 to 1960. We also have the second and first indigenous Chief Commissioner – Professor C. C. Mojekwu, a professor of Law, who served from the 23rd of April 1960. Nigeria gained its independence in 1960 and the Scout movement immediately grew as the Scouting program was heavily promoted. Shortly after independence, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the Chief Scout of Nigeria. In 1961, the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria was registered at the International Scout Bureau in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada as a National Scout Organization. General Yakubu Gowon became the Chief Scout of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.

C.C. Mojekwu also served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1961 until 1969. In 1979, F.O. Ogunlana was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting. Scouts served internationally as trainers or volunteers. Some won international awards and managed units or groups in the UK and USA.

The solid foundation of scouting in Nigeria concreted solidly by these fore-front Leaders is what we met and trying to build upon today. Their efforts in Scouting had produced leaders and top shots like – Mr. Benet B. Shotade, the FIRST Executive Director of Africa Region, Mr. I. O. Odunuga seconded to The Gambia Scout Association, Mr. F. Olabode Ogunlana another former Chief Commissioner (still alive in HIS grace) who once served and chair the Africa Scout Committee, and later Chairman, World Scout Foundation.

There are other notable products of good Scouting staff like Chief S.Lambo, Alhaji Inuwa Ada, Pa. B. B. Shotade, Pa. Samson Yayok, Chief Effiom Okon, Chief Cornelius Taiwo, Elder Aki Eyo, Dr. Ben. Okagbue, Chief Adewunmi A. Adepeju, Chief C. C. Nzegwu, Mr. I. O. Ogiamien, Chief S. E. A. Odibo, Mr. A. O. Odulele, Mr. T. A. Adekunle, Mrs. Ebun Okesola, Mrs. Adekunle. Alhaji L. B. Buraimoh, Mrs. Buraimoh, Dr. Kayode Olomu, Mr. Onyejimbe Ibeneme, Mr. T. I. Asuelime, Mr. A. U. Umoren, Pa. Akiremi A. Lasaki and lots more to list endlessly. Some of their products still living include Mr. J. Tom D. Duncan (back home to Ghana), Chief (Dr.) Gabriel A. Aletor, Rev. Msgr. Gabriel ‘Kunle Amolegbe, Eng. Mohammed Rufai, Rev. Gabriel A. Osibowale, Sup. Leader E. E. Ewubajo, Chief O. O. Okunuga, Chief Emiola Adesina, Mr. Mike Nwabukwo, Mr. A. O. Oduyoye, Mr. Omoworare, Mr. Zacheus A. Afolami, and several others.

From BSA archive: –
Gabriel Ofotokun-Goodwill was a member of Nigeria Scouts and Boy Scouts of America between 1969 to 1985. Soneye Philip, a member of The Scout Association of Nigeria, The Scout UK, and Boy Scout of America from 1975 till date. In 1999 at the World Scout Conference in Durban, South Africa, Resolution 4/99 was adopted by the Conference on Gender Balance in Scouting, urging all National Scout Organizations to adopt gender balance programs. The Annual General Meeting of the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria was held later that year, the NSO name was changed to the gender-neutral “The Scout Association of Nigeria”. Due to the high population of youth in Nigeria, scouting had tremendously increased, and the inclusion of girls also made it a welcomed association in Nigeria elementary schools.

Long live the Scout Association of Nigeria

Compiled by Philip Soneye

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