Environment, Epidemics and State Response in Ibadan, Western Nigeria, 1918–1939

This study draws on environmental history optics in exploring the complex interplay between environmental issues and the outbreak of epidemics in colonial Ibadan, Western Nigeria. The historiography of the environment and epidemics in colonial Ibadan is still relatively underdeveloped. In light of this, the paper fills a crucial gap in Ibadan’s historiography by illuminating its urban development amidst environmental issues and epidemics during the inter-war years (1918–1939). The study adopts a historical methodology by utilizing primary and secondary sources. The paper establishes that rapid population growth and urbanization in colonial Ibadan led to overcrowding, poor waste management, limited access to clean water and poor sanitary practices. Consequently, these environmental conditions created a breeding ground for an upsurge of epidemics such as Ṣọ̀pọ̀ná plague and yellow fever. The paper posits that the colonial authorities implemented some governance strategies and interventions such as demographic restructuring, the establishment of hospitals, sanitary and health care facilities, banning the Ṣọ̀pọ̀ná cult, anti-mosquito campaigns, quarantine and vaccinations. The paper concludes the measures introduced by the colonial state to curtail environmental issues and epidemics in the city were impeded by a number of limitations.