BRITISH COLONIZATION OF NIGERIA TERRITORIES

WHAT IS COLONIZATION?

Colonization is the process by which a powerful nation extends her authority over territories and people outside her boundary.In the process of colonization, the colonizer imposes  her economical, religious and cultural policies over the local or indigenous people of the colonized territory.

 The British came to Nigeria essentially for trade,other objectives began to come up when they noticed the richness in culture and geographical structure of Nigeria as an entity. These objectives include:

1.To exploit natural resources  and raw materials which was mainly used in their production companies.

2. To introduce their cultures and language 

3.To abolish harmful and inhumane traditional practices

4.For expansion of  colonies / territories .

5. To gain and retain dominace as world power

6.To introduce western education and christianity 

7.To protect their already established companies.

For them to have full control over Nigerian territories, they had to make use of agents of colonizaton such as explorers ( the likes of Mungo Park, Hugh Clapperton, The Landers brothers, Dixon Durham, Walter Oudney, so s to know the geographical scope of Nigeria), Traders( when a route was discovered, trade began from smaller quantities to larger ones. Importation and exportation of goods were carried out with ease.  Companies were established. People like MacGregor Laird , John Holt and Sir Goldie Taubman played key roles with regards to this. 

Also, they sent mssionaries to evangelise and introduce christianity and to put a stop to abominable practices  in Nigeria. Mary Slessor, Thomas Birch Freeman, Henry Town send , Samuel Ajayi Crowther were involved in this.

OTHER WAYS USED IN THE COLONIZATION OR CONQUEST OF NIGERIA.

The British used other systematic ways which included:

1.Signing of treaties with Nigerian Traditional rulers: A treaty is a written agreement signed by two  or more nations which is formal and must be strictly adhered to. The british signed treaties with traditional rulers so as to gain their cooperation and to have free access to Nigerian assets.Two important treaties signed were; trade treaties and slave dealing treaties.

The slave dealing treaties was signed so as to block the endless supply of slaves at the lagos ports. It was signed between the British and Oba Akitoye in 1852 after the bombardment of lagos in 1851 and the removal  Oba Kosoko( a lover of slave trade) .The treaty of 1852 was to stop the trade of slaves at lagos ports after which Lagos became a colony of the British in 1861, thanks to the treaty of cession.

Also,Sir Taubman signed trade treaties with local chiefs where his company, Royal Niger Company was situated so as to allow him have full control, access,  and administration over those areas in terms of trade. Most of these treaties were deceitful, were imposed through the use of military force and have lasting consequences. Since they were writtien in English, the native leaders were unable to read and comprehend the contents of the treaties . In return for signing these treaties, the British government offered protection and monetary compensation known as COMEY.

2.Waging of  Wars: The second strategy used by the British in acquring more territories was waging of wars. For example : the bombardment of Lagos in 1851, the Benin massacre / expediton of 1897,  and the ijebu war in 1892. Here, military forces were employed to suppress/ conquer these terrtiories and their uncooperative leaders  under the mercy of the British.

The British were able to conquer because they had the upper hand in terms of  strategies, superior weapons and unity with regards to the mission they had.

Legitimate Trade in Nigeria.

     Legitimate trade was introduced due to the non profitability of slave trade after the abolition of the trade that reduced human beings  to nothing . This was the trade that involved the sales of agricultural products instead of humans. It was a legal form of trade that has set rules and regulations of engagements and ensured security of most Africans . It was introduced in late 18th/early 19th century.

The major commodities for this type of trade  were divided into two categories. those acquired from Nigeria were palm oil which was used for the production of soaps and lubrication of machines,cotton, rubber, and groundnuts and in return , they were given items like guns, gun powder, and alcoholic drinks like whiskey and brandy. 

Reassons for the Establishment of Legitimate Trade incluede:

1.To have access to raw materials  from Nigeria

2. To establish  a market  for European manufactured goods.

3. To replace slave trade entirely.

4. For cultural imperialism.

5.  To reduce the rate of chaos especially in slave and house systems with regards to unhealthy  economic competitions amongst themselves.

Effects of the Intoduction of Legitimate Trade.

1. It led to British monopoly of trade.

2. It paved way for colonialism.

3. It revived agriculture.

4. It introduced unequal trading systems.

5.It allowed for industrialization in Nigeria for example the establishment of RNC, Royal Niger Company by Goldie Taubman in 1879( changes made in its name include UAC -United African  Company to National African Company  to Royal Niger Company in 1886)

6.It allowed for importation and exportation of goods from Nigeria to Europe and other parts of the world.

Happy Reading and ask questions in the comments section for clarifications.