Yoruba Development

When I talk about development, I’m not talking about modern Lagos. 

People hear “development” and immediately start thinking of skyscrapers, bridges, and fine buildings.

I speak of Yoruba development, i am talking about the pre-colonial era, long before foreigners stepped foot on our soil.

Why do people think development revolves only around buildings?

Development of the mind is development.

Development of systems is development.

Development of governance is development.

Development of culture, art, knowledge, and society is development.

And Yorubaland had all of these, centuries before colonisation.

We had structured kingdoms, had judicial and political systems, had organized cities, had trade networks spanning Africa and beyond, had arts, literature, and philosophy, had WOMEN in leadership, had peaceful multi-ethnic trading societies. This is development and we had it before modern buildings ever existed.

So when people try to reduce our development to colonial roads and architecture, they are deliberately shrinking a civilisation that was already advanced.

Let’s not rewrite history, please.

Yorubaland was not “developed” by outsiders.

Outsiders came because Yorubaland was already developed in governance, intellect, culture, economy, and social structure.

Development did NOT start with colonisers.

Glory did NOT start with them.

Civilisation did NOT start with them.

Our ancestors built a world long before colonial hands touched our soil.

Let’s keep that truth alive.

Ire o!

Titilola Damilola