Even before the arrival of the British, many African tribes, including those in present day Nigeria had a strong focus on education. The only difference, was the type of education.
1) Middle Eastern, traditional education. Math, Science, Agriculture,
2) Tribal education, oral traditions passed down from ancestors
3) Borg like acquisition of all knowledge through contact and trade with others.
One of the earliest slaves in the US was Omar Ibn Said, a Fulani scholar.
4/N