Lesson on The British Rule in Nigeria for Primary 5

Hello, pupils! Welcome to another exciting journey into Nigeria’s past. In our last lesson, we discussed some of the regions of Nigeria and their importance. Today, we will explore an essential chapter of our history—British Rule in Nigeria. This lesson will help us understand why the British occupied Nigeria and introduce us to some of the people who shaped that period. Let’s begin!

🎯 Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain at least four reasons for the British occupation of Nigeria.
• Identify five colonial administrators and describe their roles in Nigeria.
• Locate regions occupied by the British on a map of Nigeria.
• Engage in group discussions on the impact of British rule in Nigeria.

📜 British Rule in Nigeria

The British rule in Nigeria was not random. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Nigeria came under British rule. The British rule in Nigeria and their occupation formally began in 1861 with the annexation of Lagos, which became a British Crown Colony. Over the following decades, British influence expanded through treaties, military campaigns, and trade control, culminating in the formal establishment of the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria. These two regions were later amalgamated in 1914 under Lord Frederick Lugard, creating the entity known as Nigeria.

❓ What is British Rule in Nigeria?

British Rule in Nigeria refers to the period when Nigeria was governed by the British as a colony. This rule involved economic, political, and administrative control by the British government.

📚 Reasons for the British Occupation of Nigeria

The British occupied Nigeria for several reasons. These include:

1. Economic Interests: To gain access to valuable resources like palm oil, cocoa, and rubber for industrial use.
2. Trade Control: To dominate trade routes in West Africa, especially along the Niger River.
3. Expansion of British Empire: Colonizing Nigeria helped the British expand their empire and compete with other European powers.
4. Political Stability: The British aimed to bring regions under their control to ensure political stability that favored their interests.
5. Religious Missionary Work: To support Christian missionaries in spreading Christianity and Western education.
6. Military Strategy: To secure territories and protect British interests against rival European powers like France and Germany.
7. Labor Exploitation: To utilize local labor for plantation agriculture and infrastructure development.
8. Geographical Advantage: To control strategic coastal regions for easier access to global trade routes.
9. Taxation and Revenue: Colonization allowed the British to introduce taxes and generate revenue for their government.
10. Preventing Local Conflicts: To impose British systems of governance and reduce inter-tribal conflicts, ensuring stability for trade.

👤 Notable Colonial Administrators

Several administrators played key roles during the British rule in Nigeria, some of the key colonial administrators during British rule in Nigeria includes:

1. Lord Frederick Lugard: The first Governor-General of Nigeria, he orchestrated the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914.
2. Sir Ralph Moor: The High Commissioner of Southern Nigeria Protectorate, known for expanding British control.
3. Sir George Goldie: Founder of the Royal Niger Company, whose efforts secured British control over the Niger River.
4. Sir Hugh Clifford: A Governor of Nigeria who emphasized indirect rule and economic development.
5. Sir Donald Cameron: A Governor known for promoting social reforms and administrative improvements.
6. Sir Walter Egerton: Governor of Lagos Colony and Southern Nigeria, promoting infrastructure development.
7. Sir James Robertson: Last British Governor-General, overseeing Nigeria’s transition to independence in 1960.
8. Sir Bernard Bourdillon: Played a significant role in drafting Nigeria’s first constitution in 1946.
9. Sir John Macpherson: His tenure saw the introduction of the Macpherson Constitution, promoting regional governance.

🗺️ Impact of British Rule

British rule significantly shaped Nigeria’s political, social, and economic systems. The introduction of Western education, infrastructure development, and new governance systems are notable impacts.

📊 Evaluation Questions

1. List four reasons why the British occupied Nigeria.
2. Who was the first Governor-General of Nigeria, and what was his key achievement?
3. Name three colonial administrators and their contributions to Nigeria.
4. Why was the Niger River important to the British?
5. Explain how British rule impacted education in Nigeria.
6. What were the economic reasons for British occupation?
7. Describe the role of the Royal Niger Company in British occupation.
8. Which colonial administrator introduced Nigeria’s first constitution?

📖 Conclusion/Summary

In this lesson, we explored the reasons for the British occupation of Nigeria, including economic interests and trade control. We also identified key colonial administrators like Lord Lugard and Sir George Goldie and their roles in shaping Nigeria’s history. Understanding this period helps us appreciate the foundation of modern Nigeria and its development.

Great job today! In our next lesson, we will discuss the Protectorate and Amalgamation of the two regions.