Remembering the Iva Valley Massacre: The Origins of “Go Slow”

Every citizen of Nigeria is familiar with the commonly used term “go-slow”, particularly those residing in cities such as Lagos, known for its heavy traffic, or other areas with similar congestion. As it is well known, go-slow refers to traffic jams in Nigerian slang. However, have you ever taken a moment to ponder over the origins of this term? If you have, we are here to provide you with the answers in this week’s edition of Citizen History.

Enugu State in eastern Nigeria is famously referred to as the Coal City due to the vast coal reserves located in the capital, Enugu City. During the pre-colonial era, coal, which was crucially utilized as a fuel for locomotive engines, held immense value as a resource in Nigeria, particularly for the Nigeria Railway Corporation, which had an extensive consumption of coal.

In 1917, the Iva Valley mines were established to replace the Udi Mine, which had ceased operations two years after its discovery. Unfortunately, the working conditions for the miners in the coal mines were abysmal. The miners, a majority of whom worked underground for six days a week, endured poor oxygen supply, low wages, and harsh treatment by the colonial administration.

By the 1940s, the inadequate welfare of the workers had become a persistent issue for those employed by the Nigerian colonial government, leading to a series of protests and a nationwide strike in 1945. This ultimately led to the formation of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in 1942, which aimed at improving the working conditions and remuneration of employees.

By 1949, Enugu had transformed into a cosmopolitan town with an estimated 25,000 inhabitants, with approximately 8,000 of them being employed as coal miners. However, the increased production did not result in an improved standard of living for the miners, who continued to grapple with low wages, pay cuts, and inflation caused by the economic downturn during World War 2.

In addition to these challenges, the colonial government implemented tribalism by compelling indigenous individuals of the host community to work as miners, while non-indigenous individuals were assigned clerical duties. This led to significant dissatisfaction among the miners, prompting them to establish the Colliery Workers Union (CWU), which was led by Isaiah Okwudili Ojiyi.

When the CWU demanded better remuneration and enhanced working conditions, the colonial government turned down their requests, resulting in a go-slow strike, a form of industrial action where workers deliberately reduce the pace of production. However, this strike ultimately culminated in a tragic event.

On November 18, 1949, armed riot police officers led by Senior Superintendent of Police, F.S Phillips, arrived at Iva Valley and, without prior warning, opened fire on the protesting miners. This resulted in the loss of twenty-one miners, with many of them being shot in the back, marking the infamous Iva Valley Massacre.

The aftermath of the massacre sparked widespread protests in various cities, as well as the establishment of the National Emergency Committee (NEC) to coordinate a national response to the atrocity. The protest and massacre also significantly impacted the nationalist movements in Nigeria, leading to the restructuring of trade unions and the formation of a Nigeria Colliery Commission.

The Iva Valley Massacre is a tragic chapter in Nigeria’s history, but its role in shaping the labour movement and nationalist sentiment cannot be underestimated. Therefore, the next time you find yourself caught in a “go-slow”, remember the origins of the term – it is an integral part of our history.