Nigeria, Feb. 28 -- Nigeria has a rich and complex history, but not everything you've heard is true. From the myth that Mungo Park discovered the River Niger to the false belief that the British brought civilization, many Nigerians still believe these historical inaccuracies.

Here, we uncover the top 10 myths about Nigerian history-and reveal the truth behind them.

1. The British Brought Civilization to Nigeria

Before British colonization, Nigeria had well-developed civilizations, such as the Oyo Empire, Benin Kingdom, Sokoto Caliphate, Kanem-Bornu, and Igbo democratic structures. These societies had advanced governance, trade, military systems, and education, such as the Qur'anic schools in the north and the Ife-Benin artistic traditi...