The Amalgamation Process – JSS3 Nigerian History Lesson Note (Third Term)

Amalgamation was the joining of Nigeria’s separate British-controlled territories into one colony, the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, on 1 January 1914.

• Ordered by: the British government.
• Carried out by: Frederick Lugard, the first Governor-General.
• Main reasons: economic, political and administrative.
• Result: the borders and central government of Nigeria today began here.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what Amalgamation means and state when it took place;
2. name the territories that existed in Nigeria before 1914 and describe how each was ruled;
3. give the economic, political and administrative reasons for Amalgamation;
4. describe the role of Frederick Lugard and the steps of Amalgamation;
5. state the effects and criticisms of Amalgamation and its legacy for Nigeria today.

What was Nigeria like before Amalgamation?

Before 1914, the area now called Nigeria was held by Britain as separate territories with different governments.

What were the British territories?

There were three territories around 1900: the Colony of Lagos, the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria.

• Note: Lagos Colony joined the Southern Protectorate in 1906, so only two territories remained just before 1914.

How were the territories ruled before 1914?

The British ruled the territories in different ways, mainly by direct rule and indirect rule.

• Direct rule: British officials make the decisions and use British laws themselves.
• Indirect rule: British officials rule through existing traditional rulers, who pass orders to the people.

Why were the territories amalgamated?

The territories were amalgamated for economic, political and administrative reasons.

What were the economic reasons?

• Poor Northern finances: the North had less trade and could not pay for its own administration.
• Rich South: the South earned more from the palm oil trade, so its money could cover Northern costs.
• Railways and roads: one government could plan lines from the North to the coast to carry cotton, groundnuts and tin.
• Lower costs: one government instead of separate ones needed fewer officials.

What were the political reasons?

• Easier control: orders could come from one place, with fewer clashing policies.
• Empire building: Britain was building a large empire, and other European powers were creating large colonies in Africa.
• Border security: one government could better guard the borders with French and German colonies.

What were the administrative reasons?

• Uniform laws: different laws in each territory caused confusion and slowed trade between regions.
• River Niger: the river flows through both North and South, so one government could manage it.
• Common rules: customs and transport rules could be standardised.

Who carried out the Amalgamation?

Frederick Lugard, a British colonial administrator, carried out the Amalgamation of 1914.

• Earlier work: he had served the Royal Niger Company.
• Northern Nigeria: he was the first High Commissioner (1900 to 1906).
• Return in 1912: he came back to prepare for Amalgamation.
• After 1914: he became the first Governor-General of Nigeria.
• His plans: he wrote reports on how to join the territories.
• His belief: he wanted one government and indirect rule for the whole country.
• His method: he kept separate North and South administrations under the Governor-General.

What were the steps of Amalgamation?

Amalgamation took place in three main steps between 1906 and 1914.

1. 1906: Lagos Colony and the Southern Protectorate joined to form the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.
2. 1912 to 1913: Lugard studied both territories and wrote plans for the British government.
3. 1912 to 1913: he began to standardise some administrative practices and moved officials between North and South.
4. 1 January 1914: the Northern and Southern Protectorates were officially joined.
5. 1 January 1914: the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was created, with Lugard as Governor-General.

What was the structure of government after Amalgamation?

After 1914, Nigeria had one central government and two groups of provinces.

What were the central bodies?

• Governor-General: the highest authority, who represented the British monarch and was based in Lagos.
• Executive Council: top British officials who advised the Governor-General. No Nigerians were included.
• Nigerian Council: an advisory body with a few traditional rulers and other non-official members. It could not make laws.

What were the regional bodies?

• Northern Provinces: run by a Lieutenant-Governor under the Governor-General, with indirect rule through Emirs.
• Southern Provinces: run by a Lieutenant-Governor, with more direct British rule in many areas.
• Native Authorities: local government under traditional rulers, who collected taxes, kept order and followed British officials’ orders.

What were the effects of Amalgamation?

Amalgamation had immediate effects on services and long-term effects on unity and government.

What were the immediate effects?

• Common currency: the British West African pound was used across the country, which eased trade.
• Common services: railways, postal service, customs and the army came under one administration.
• Staff movement: officials could be moved between North and South.
• Tax systems: they were made more alike.

What were the long-term effects?

• North-South divide: the people were not truly united, and the divide is still felt today.
• Nigerian identity: people had identified with their ethnic group or kingdom, but the idea of one “Nigeria” began to grow.
• Borders: the borders of modern Nigeria were set.
• Strong centre: a pattern of strong central government was set, which influenced rule after independence.

How did the North and South differ after Amalgamation?

The two regions kept different religions, schools and legal systems, which affected development.

• Result: different levels of Western education affected job opportunities and development.

What were the criticisms of Amalgamation?

Amalgamation was criticised by many Nigerians and by some British officials.

What were the Nigerian criticisms?

• No Nigerian input: Nigerians were not asked, and the decision served British interests.
• Forced union: many ethnic groups with different cultures were joined, and some had been enemies.
• Unequal development: the South developed faster, leaving gaps in education, infrastructure and wealth.

What were the British criticisms?

• Too large and diverse: some thought Nigeria was too big, with too many peoples and languages, for one set of policies.
• Incomplete union: some criticised Lugard for keeping the North and South separate in many ways.

What is the legacy of Amalgamation?

The legacy of Amalgamation is the Nigerian state itself, with the tensions and balancing systems that came with it.

How did it affect the road to independence?

• Nationalism: nationalists had to work across regional and ethnic lines.
• Regional parties: the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) was strong in the North, the Action Group in the West and the NCNC in the East.
• Federal system: Nigeria became a federation at independence in 1960, sharing power between national and regional governments.

How does it affect Nigeria today?

• Federal character: positions and resources are balanced among the parts of Nigeria, so all are represented in government.
• State creation: Nigeria now has 36 states, and smaller states give more groups a voice.
• Unity challenges: building a shared Nigerian identity remains a task.

Evaluation

1. What is Amalgamation? State the date it took place and the person who carried it out.
2. Name the three British territories that existed in the Nigeria area around 1900.
3. Give three economic reasons for Amalgamation.
4. Explain how direct rule in Lagos Colony differed from indirect rule in Northern Nigeria.
5. State two long-term effects of Amalgamation.

Assignment

Write short answers to the following:

1. Explain why Northern Nigeria’s lack of money was a reason for Amalgamation.
2. List three criticisms of Amalgamation from the Nigerian point of view.