Nigeria's colonial history is explored in detail, focusing on the British conquest and administration from 1851 to 1914. The module discusses the impact of colonial rule on Nigeria's social, economic, and political landscape, including the introduction of indirect rule and the effects of European exploration and trade. Key themes include the role of missionaries, traders, and explorers in shaping Nigeria's colonial experience. This content is essential for students studying International Relations and understanding Nigeria's historical context.

Key Points

  • Explores the British conquest of Nigeria from 1851 to 1914
  • Discusses the impact of colonial rule on Nigeria's social and economic structures
  • Examines the role of missionaries and traders in colonial Nigeria
  • Analyzes the system of indirect rule implemented by the British
Joy Chukwuamaka
21 pages
Language:English
Type:Textbook
History of Africa
Joy Chukwuamaka
21 pages
Language:English
Type:Textbook
History of Africa
212
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Module Two
Nigeria under Colonial Rule
By
Haruna Wakili, Kabiru Haruna Isa & Sani Yakubu Adam
Department of History
Bayero University, Kano
Introduction
Nigeria is one of the most historic countries in Africa because of its social composition, external
relations, economic productions and trade, political spectrum and scholarly feat. Nigeria lies
between latitudes 4⁰ and 14
o
north of the Equator and longitudes 3
o
and 15
o
east of the Prime
Meridian. The country is bordered to the south by the Bights of Benin and Biafra, which are on
the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. On the West, Nigeria is bordered by Benin Republic,
on the North by Niger Republic, in the northeast by Chad Republic, and on the east by Cameroon
Republic (Falola & Heaton: 2008). The country can be divided into four main geographical
zones. The first zone is located along the coast where rainfall is heavy and vegetation is made up
mostly of swamps. The area is rich in terms of natural resources and it is surrounded and served
by many rivers and creeks. This area receives high rainfall and spreads over about eight months
in the year. The second zone is the forest where rainfall is also heavy and the vegetation is made
up mostly of thick forest. The third zone in Nigeria is the semi-savanna zone which lies between
the forest zone and the main savanna zone in the north. The fourth zone is the true savanna
which occupies a significant area of the northern part of the country. In the fourth zone, there is
low rainfall and grassland, therefore, the area is not far from the Sahara desert (Falola & Heaton:
2008, Omolewa: 1986).
Nigeria as a modern political entity is the creation of the British colonial administration. Before
the coming of the British, different parts of the country has distinct cultures and political
systems. The colonial administration unified these divergent entities under a single
administration in 1914 in what is known as the Amalgamation of Nigeria. Before the
Amalgamation different areas of the country were administered as separate entities as the history
of colonial domination differed from one area to the other. Lagos came under British influence in
2
1861 while areas such as Kano and Sokoto were conquered in 1903. Colonialism of British
foreign rule in Nigeria is an important moment in Nigerian history which brought about, social,
economic and political transformations that continue to define Nigeria, its people and cultures up
to today. Therefore, every Nigerian needs to be familiar with that important period. This module
delves into the history of Nigeria under colonialism starting with the stages followed by the
British before the conquest, various stages of the conquest, the system of colonial administration
and its impact on Nigeria.
Background to the British Conquest and Colonial Administration of Nigeria
Explorations and Explorers in Nigeria
Nigerians first came into contact with the Europeans in the 15
th
century when a group of
Portuguese visited some areas of southern Nigeria. This visit paved the way for the history of the
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade which involved the selling and shipping of slaves from Africa to
Europe and the Americas. This trade lasted up to the 19
th
century by which time the Europeans
had attained industrialization by inventing machines to replace human labor. Therefore,
Europeans no longer needed slaves. Consequently, they stopped the slave trade and enforced its
abolition by deploying their naval forces in the coastal areas of Nigeria to prevent the shipment
of slaves. In place of the slave trade, they introduced what they called “Legitimate Trade” with a
focus on buying palm oil and palm kernel from the coastal areas of Nigeria.
With the introduction of the so-called legitimate trade, traders and industrialists developed the
desire to find ample sources of raw materials and markets for the products of their new
industries. Africa in general and Nigeria in particular had provided a solution to this new
demand. Unfortunately, the British knew little or nothing about the interior parts of Nigeria;
therefore, Sir Joseph Banks spearheaded the formation of the African Association in 1788
specifically to organize the exploration of the interior of Africa. African Association sponsored
explorers to find a route through which they could penetrate the interior parts of Africa; gather
information about the economic potentials of the communities; spy on the military strength,
formation and hardwires; observe the hygienic condition and finally; bring information about the
available resources, demographic distribution and resources.
3
Among the explorers that visited the Nigerian area were important figures like Mungo Park,
Hugh Clapperton, Walter Oudney, Dixon Denham, Lander Brothers, Henrich Barth and Baikie.
The main objective of these explorers was to discover inland highways to promote the course of
trade in West Africa. Thus, most of these explorers were particularly concerned with the
exploration of River Niger which they believed would be the gateway to the riches of the interior
countries. Accordingly, they were specifically interested in finding out the direction of the flow
of the river and its source and its outlet.
One of the greatest Nigerian explorers of the Nigerian area was Mungo Park who was sent out by
the African Association in England to explore the Niger River. He made two journeys into the
interior of West Africa. The first trip took place between 1795 and 97. This expedition was
crowned with success as Park sighted the Niger at a place near Bamako and discovered that the
river flowed eastwards rather than westwards as widely believed in Europe. The second journey
was carried out between 1805 and 1806. The mission of the second expedition was to discover
the outlet of the river. Mungo Park travelled 1,000 km down the Niger by boat from Sansanding
to Bussa in the Nigeria area where he lost his life without discovering the source of the river.
In 1820, three explorers from Britain namely Dr. Walter Oudney, Major Dixon Denham and
Captain Hugh Clapperton crossed from Tripoli and reached Lake Chad and Borno in Nigeria
area. The main reasons for their exploration across the Sahara were to search for the mouth of
River Niger to clear the mysteries of Lake Chad and find out information about Borno and
Hausaland. These explorers discovered that Lake Chad was neither the outlet of River Niger nor
the “sink of Africa” as it was erroneously believed in Europe. They arrived in the land of Borno
where they were warmly welcomed by the Shehu (traditional ruler of Borno). Denham went back
to Europe while Clapperton and Oudney crossed over the Hausaland. Oudney died in between
Katagum and Kano. Clapperton later went back to England and reported about the successes of
their travel into the Nigerian hinterland.
Furthermore, between 1825 and 1827, Hugh Clapperton and Richard Lander were in Northern
Nigeria via the coast in search of the riddles of the River Niger. Clapperton died during this
second journey at a place near Sokoto in 1827. While Richard Lander returned to England. In
1830, Richard Lander returned to Nigeria accompanied by his brother, John Lander, to continue
with the search for the outlet of the Niger River. Lander Brothers, as Richard and John came to
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FAQs

What were the main geographical zones of Nigeria during colonial rule?
Nigeria can be divided into four main geographical zones: the coastal zone, characterized by heavy rainfall and swamps; the forest zone, also with heavy rainfall and thick vegetation; the semi-savanna zone, which lies between the forest and savanna zones; and the true savanna, located in the northern part of the country, marked by low rainfall and grassland. Each zone has distinct ecological features and resources, influencing the socio-economic activities of the people living there.
How did British colonial rule impact Nigeria's political structure?
British colonial rule in Nigeria introduced a system known as Indirect Rule, where local rulers were used to administer the affairs of the country under British supervision. This system was first implemented in Northern Nigeria, where existing political structures, such as the emirate system, were utilized. However, the indirect rule also led to the isolation of the North from the rest of Nigeria, fostering suspicion and hindering national unity.
What role did Christian missionaries play in Nigeria during colonialism?
Christian missionaries were pivotal in the European penetration of Nigeria, especially from the 19th century onward. They established mission stations across Southern Nigeria and aimed to spread Christianity, expose the evils of the slave trade, and promote legitimate trade. Their activities included building schools and hospitals, which contributed to the spread of Western education and healthcare, although their impact was less pronounced in the predominantly Muslim North.
What were the stages of British conquest in Nigeria?
The British conquest of Nigeria occurred in two main phases. The first phase, from 1851 to 1900, involved the fall of Southern Nigeria, starting with the bombardment of Lagos. The second phase, from 1900 to 1914, focused on the conquest of Northern Nigeria, including the Sokoto Caliphate and Borno. This conquest was characterized by military confrontations with local emirates, leading to the eventual establishment of British colonial rule throughout the region.
What were the economic policies implemented by the British in colonial Nigeria?
British economic policies in colonial Nigeria were primarily designed for resource exploitation and profit maximization. The focus was on producing cash crops such as groundnuts, cotton, and palm oil for export, while neglecting food crop production. The colonial administration also established infrastructure like railways and roads to facilitate the export of raw materials, thereby integrating Nigeria's economy into the global capitalist system, often to the detriment of local development.
What was the significance of the Berlin Conference for Nigeria?
The Berlin Conference, held between 1884 and 1885, was crucial for Nigeria as it formalized the partitioning of African territories among European powers. At this conference, British claims over territories controlled by the National African Company were recognized, leading to the establishment of the Niger Coast Protectorate. This event marked a significant step in the Scramble for Africa, solidifying British colonial ambitions in Nigeria.
How did the British administration affect education in Nigeria?
The British colonial administration had a limited focus on education in Nigeria, primarily promoting Western education through Christian missionaries. While some schools were established, especially in Southern Nigeria, the colonial government did not prioritize educational development in the North. This resulted in significant educational imbalances between regions, with the North lagging behind due to fewer institutions and limited access to Western education.

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