Colonial Nigeria

Colonial Nigeria and its Transformation

The Impact of British Colonization on Nigeria

• British colonization significantly impacted Nigeria's culture and society.

• This resulted in substantial adjustments to the country's political, economic, and social systems.

• Administrative Changes: British administrative rules and practices replaced customary governance structures and norms.

• Spread of Western Influence: The British introduced Western education, facilitating the spread of Christianity and the English language.

• Cultural Loss: According to Falola and Heaton (2016), indigenous traditions and customs were lost due to British colonization, disrupting traditional Nigerian civilizations.

Economic Impact

• Shift to Cash Crop Economy: Colonial control significantly impacted Nigeria's economy.

  • Cash crops such as rubber, cocoa, and palm oil were bought by the British and exported.

  • Subsistence farming was marginalized as a cash crop economy emerged.

• Infrastructure Development: The British constructed railroads and roads to facilitate the export of Nigeria's natural resources.

• Economic Exploitation: Smith (2019) argues that British colonial policies led to economic exploitation and underdevelopment, enriching Britain at the expense of Nigerians.

Social Influence

• Decline of Cultural Values: British colonization caused a rapid decline in some cultural values and ideals.

• Religious Conversion: British missionaries introduced Christianity, leading to modifications in religious practices and beliefs.

• Emergence of New Elites: Western education led to a new set of educated elites.

• Social Restructuring: Ademola (2020) explores how British colonization undermined Nigeria's ancient social structures, replacing them with new social hierarchies based on wealth and education.

Movements of Resistance

• Opposition to Colonialism: Nigerians employed various tactics to resist British colonialism.

• Nationalist Leaders: Leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa led the resistance against British control.

• Independence in 1960: This resistance ultimately led to Nigeria's independence in 1960.

• Impact of Nationalist Movements: Adesina (2018) emphasizes that nationalist leaders and groups were instrumental in removing lBritish colonial control and paving the way for independence.

• Persistence of Native Values: Despite the decline in customs and values, resistance activities eventually led to Nigeria's independence.

Early European Arrival

• Portuguese Arrival: Before the British, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in the area now known as Nigeria.

  • Ruy de Sequeira arrived in Benin in 1472 during the reign of Ewuare.

  • Alfonzo de Aviero arrived in 1484 during the reign of Ozolua (Hodgkin).

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

• British Involvement: The transatlantic slave trade tragically connected the British and Nigeria.

• Peak of the Trade: The slave trade reached its height in the sixteenth century.

• Control of Relations: The slave trade dominated the relationship between coastal Nigeria and the British for nearly three centuries.

• Abolition by the British: The British outlawed the transatlantic slave trade in the early 19th century, using the British West African Naval Squadron to enforce this.

Era of Lawful Commerce

• Shift from Slave Trade: The era of lawful commerce followed three centuries of the slave trade.

• European Involvement: Europeans became more involved in African state issues.

• Gun-boat Politics: The Europeans introduced "Gun-boat" politics, attacking "erring" African states.

• Formal Conquest: Under the cover of these events, the British formally conquered Nigeria, establishing Lagos as a colony in 1861.

• Occupation of Nigeria: By the late 19th century, the British had occupied most of Nigeria through conquest, expulsion of leaders, and questionable contracts.

• Resistance: Despite valiant opposition from leaders like Attahiru of Sokoto, Jaja of Opobo, Nana of Itsekiri, and Ovonramwen of Benin, the British were able to usurp power and freedom.

Amalgamation of Nigeria

• Unresolved Concerns: Hatch (1970) notes several unresolved concerns regarding the amalgamation of Nigeria.

  • Cultural Differences: The competitive, individualistic society of the south was combined with the more static, traditionalist viewpoint of the Hausa Fulani emirates.

  • Mission Schools: The impact on mission schools and the growing clerical class was questioned.

  • Coexistence: Concerns arose about how these populations would coexist under one government.

  • Unified Allegiance: The need to create a single allegiance was discussed.

  • British Policy Goals: Questions were raised about the main goal of British policy: establishing a permanent empire, serving as a guardian, or fostering self-government.

• British Colonial Policies: After amalgamation in 1914, British colonial policies in Nigeria tended to be isolationist and polarizing, keeping the peoples of the two main protectorates apart.

• Administrative Structure: Under Lord Lugard, Nigeria continued to function as a federation of two groupings of provinces after the union in 1914 until 1939.

• Tripartite Partitioning: On April 1, 1939, the British government divided the former Southern provinces into Eastern and Western provinces, a structure that persisted into the era of independence.