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Colonial Period |
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Nigeria is made up of a number of large ancient kingdoms and other independent small scale societies. Its boundaries were drawn as a result of trade and overseas territorial ambitions of some Western European powers in the nineteenth century. The territory was assigned to Britain. The name, Nigeria, was suggested in 1898 by Flora Shaw who later became Lady Lugard to designate the British Protectorate on the River Niger. Contact between the peoples of Nigeria and Europe began in the fifteenth century through various commercial explorer. By early nineteenth century, the obnoxious trade in slaves which had flourished in the region was in the process of being abolished. Consequently, European traders began to turn their attention to trading in palm produce, pepper, ivory and other articles which provided raw materials for European industries. |
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Up to the middle of the nineteenth century, British trading activities were confined to Lagos and Delta ports of old Calabar, Brass and Bonny. However, the need to expand trade to the hinterland and to undermine the coastal middle men over led the British to some involvement in local politics. Thus, their interferences in Lagos politics following some internal squabbles among the ruling houses were necessitated by a desire to secure the territory in the interest of trade with the Yoruba hinterland. This interference resulted in Lagos being annexed in 1861 when it became a British colony. In the same way and in order to render the River Niger safe as a gateway into the interior. Protectorates were proclaimed in the Delta regions. In 1885, the Niger Protectorate was proclaimed oil rivers protectorate. These protectorate were initially administered by the Royal Niger Company and its sphere of influence reached as far as north as Idah. When the Royal Niger Company's Charter was withdrawn in January 1900, the whole of Nigeria came under direct Colonial administration. The territory was then divided into: (i) The Lagos Colony (1861 - 1960) (ii) The Protectorate of Southern Nigeria (1900 - 1914) (ii) The Protectorate of Northern Nigeria In 1960, Lagos colony was merged with the Southern Protectorate to form the new Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. In 1914 the Protectorates of Southern Nigeria were merged by Sir Frederick Lugard. The whole country then became known as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria. Lugard became its first Governor general and ruled till 1919. He was succeeded by Sir Hugh Clifford (1919 - 25), Sir Arthur Richards (1943 - 48), Sir John McPherson (1948 - 54), and Sir James Robertson (1954 - 60). After a series of negotiations, Nigeria finally got her independence Octorber, 1960 |
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