The Protectorates Of Britain In Nigeria: Lagos JSS3 Nigerian History Lesson Note

During the nineteenth century, Britain began to establish control over various territories in what would later become Nigeria. A protectorate is a territory that is controlled and protected by another more powerful state or country. The British created several protectorates in Nigeria as part of their colonial expansion in West Africa. One of the earliest and most significant of these was the Lagos Protectorate, which later became the foundation for British rule in southern Nigeria.

Background to British Interest in Lagos

Lagos, situated on the southwestern coast of present-day Nigeria, was a small but strategically important kingdom before British arrival. Several factors made Lagos attractive to British interests:

1. Strategic Location: Lagos had an excellent natural harbor and was positioned at the end of important trade routes that led into the interior of Yorubaland.
2. Trade Potential: The area was already an important center for trade, with merchants exchanging goods from the interior with European traders.
3. Anti-Slavery Campaign: In the mid-19th century, Britain had officially abolished slavery and was actively working to end the slave trade. Lagos was known to be involved in the slave trade, providing a moral justification for British intervention.
4. European Competition: Britain was competing with other European powers, particularly France, for influence in West Africa. Controlling Lagos would give Britain a strong foothold in the region.

Initial British Contacts and Interventions

British contact with Lagos began to intensify in the early 19th century. Missionaries, traders, and diplomats gradually increased their presence in the area. Key events in the early relationship included:

1. Missionary Activities: Christian missionaries, particularly from the Church Missionary Society, established a presence in Lagos and surrounding areas. They helped spread not only Christianity but also Western education and culture.
2. Anti-Slavery Treaties: British representatives signed treaties with local rulers aimed at ending the slave trade. These treaties often became the first step toward greater British influence.
3. Commercial Interests: British trading companies began to establish more permanent trading posts in Lagos, increasing economic ties between Britain and the local population.

The Deposition of Oba Kosoko and Installation of Oba Akitoye

A crucial event in the British takeover of Lagos occurred in the early 1850s and involved a succession dispute between two royal claimants:

1. Power Struggle: There was a conflict between Kosoko and Akitoye, who were rivals for the position of Oba (king) of Lagos.
2. British Intervention: The British supported Akitoye because he appeared more willing to cooperate with their anti-slavery efforts. Kosoko, on the other hand, was seen as favoring the continuation of the slave trade.
3. Bombardment of Lagos: In December 1851, British naval forces bombarded Lagos, forcing Kosoko to flee the city. This military action, referred to as the “Reduction of Lagos,” allowed the British to install Akitoye as the new Oba.
4. Treaty of 1852: Following his installation, Akitoye signed a treaty with the British that included provisions to end the slave trade. This treaty marked the beginning of formal British influence over Lagos.

Annexation of Lagos as a British Colony (1861)

After Akitoye’s death in 1853, his son Dosunmu (also spelled Docemo) became the new Oba. During his reign, British pressure on Lagos continued to increase:

1. Increasing British Control: British representatives gradually extended their influence over Lagos affairs, particularly in matters of trade and foreign relations.
2. Treaty of Cession: On August 6, 1861, under considerable pressure and facing threats of force, Oba Dosunmu signed the Treaty of Cession, which formally transferred Lagos to the British Crown.
3. Justifications for Annexation: The British justified this annexation on several grounds:
   1. To completely suppress the slave trade
   2. To protect legitimate commerce
   3. To spread Christianity and “civilization”
   4. To prevent other European powers from taking control of this strategic location
4. Colonial Status: With the signing of this treaty, Lagos became a formal British colony, directly ruled by a British governor.

Development of the Lagos Colony (1861-1906)

Following the annexation, the British established colonial administration in Lagos and gradually expanded their influence:

1. Administrative Structures: The British established a colonial government headed by a governor appointed from London. They introduced British systems of law, taxation, and governance.
2. Territorial Expansion: Starting with just Lagos Island and a small surrounding area, the British gradually extended their control to neighboring territories through treaties and military action.
3. Economic Developments: The British promoted a shift from slave trading to “legitimate commerce,” focusing on palm oil, cotton, and other agricultural products. Infrastructure such as roads, railways, and port facilities was developed to facilitate this trade.
4. Educational and Religious Changes: Missionary schools expanded, introducing Western education. Christianity spread more widely, though traditional religious practices continued among much of the population.
5. Urban Development: Lagos began to develop as a colonial city, with new buildings, roads, and facilities designed according to European models. This created a distinctive colonial architecture that can still be seen in parts of Lagos today.

Formation of the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria

The Lagos Colony did not remain separate for long:

1. Administrative Merger: In 1906, the Colony of Lagos was merged with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria to form the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.
2. Expanded British Control: This merger was part of a broader process of consolidating British holdings in the region, creating larger and more efficient administrative units.
3. Preparation for Amalgamation: This merger was a step toward the eventual amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914, which created the foundations of modern Nigeria.

Legacy of the Lagos Protectorate

The British protectorate and later colony of Lagos had lasting impacts on Nigeria:

1. Political Legacy: Lagos became the capital of colonial Nigeria and later independent Nigeria until the move to Abuja in 1991. It remained the center of political activity and administration for decades.
2. Economic Importance: The development of Lagos as a major port and commercial center established its economic prominence, which continues to this day. Lagos remains Nigeria’s economic and financial hub.
3. Cultural Influence: As one of the earliest areas under sustained British influence, Lagos became a center for the spread of Western education, Christianity, and other cultural elements that would later spread throughout Nigeria.
4. Architectural Heritage: Colonial buildings and urban planning from this period still influence the layout and appearance of parts of Lagos.
5. Political Consciousness: Lagos became a center for early nationalist movements and political activism that eventually contributed to the independence struggle.

Conclusion

The establishment of British control over Lagos marked a significant turning point in Nigerian history. What began as a small coastal protectorate eventually became the cornerstone of British colonial rule in what would become Nigeria. The political, economic, social, and cultural changes initiated during this period continue to influence Lagos and Nigeria as a whole to this day. Understanding this history helps us better comprehend the complex legacy of colonialism in Nigeria and the foundations upon which the modern nation was built.