ABSTRACT

In recent years, the cartoon genre has gained considerable research interest, from all disciplines. Perhaps one of the sternest yet satirical forms of communicating in modern times is cartoon. The term cartoon refers first to metaphorical codification, and second to a satirical or humorous genre through which an artist subtly informs, educates and entertains his viewers. Whereas before the imposition of colonial rule in Africa, traditional African societies possessed their peculiar means of criticizing, satirizing and depicting the socio-economic and political phenomena through songs, poems and drama. Despite the introduction of printing press in 1846 and newspapers in 1859 in Nigeria, the use of cartoon as a means of portraying social realism did not gain currency until 1930s when the West African Pilot newspaper blazed the trail. Since then, cartoon has become pungent instrument of communication and illustration in Nigeria. This paper aims at illustrating the use of cartoon as a factor of Nigeria’s social history. This study will analyze selected cartoons from some cartoonists published in national dailies in Nigeria over the years.