CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
On the first of October
1960, the British Union Jack was lowered and the green and white flag of
Nigeria was hoisted in its place. Shortly after these two historical events the
late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, on behalf of all Nigerians,
declared: “We are grateful to the British officers whom we have known,
first as masters and then as leaders and finally as partners but always as
friends (Bryan, 1969).
According to a widely
held view, Britain’s Colonial rule in Nigeria did not make sufficient allowance
for the growth in experience and influence of the Western-educated elites who
were to play the chief part in creating the nationalist movement destined to
take over the reins of government from Britain.
Nigeria was the home of
the classic system of Indirect Rule which Sir Fredrick (later Lord) Lugard, the
father of that system, stamped upon a society widely different in kind, size
and culture. The system was the only immediate means through which these
different groups of peoples were saved from dictatorial systems of government.
In addition, it was the channel for nationalization in bringing about the
Western style of government. Nigeria did not achieve administrative unity until
the North and the South were linked together.in 1914. After the amalgamation,
Britain, through the British administrators, initiated for elective assemblies.
Through these assemblies’ different political parties sent their
representatives and thus an administrative system on the Western model was
created. The recruitment of Civil Service on the basis of merit, the separation
of the public purse and business from the ruler and the assumption that all the
people were entitled to equal treatment under the rule of law worked in
different areas and established conditions essential for democracy.
The criteria on which
my arguments are based are the individual and collective participation of the
Nigerian political leaders under British leadership in constitutional developments
which eventually led to a Parliamentary system of government and in other
related developments in Politics, civil service, public finance, defense,
foreign pol icy and education plus the practical experience and influence of
the political leaders during the period of internal self-government in which
the leaders acted as premiers.
The period covered is
1861 to 1960. The approach is analytical. The study is based on documentary
evidence mainly from Nigerian textbooks on British administrations. Other information
has been collected from Nigerian magazines. My personal knowledge as a Nigerian
who had witnessed the Colonial rule for about a decade is used sparingly.
Nigeria is rich in oral
history, and, although it is not documented, information has also been received
from Chief Thompson Udo Nsuk, a traditional ruler, and Chief Jonah Udo Utuk,
the first certificated teacher and a great historian in the ltam Clan. Both of
these chiefs saw Colonial rule from its infancy. 3 The conclusion is strictly
my own judgment, independent of other authors. Throughout the entire paper, the
British roles are defended positively. It should not, however, be assumed that
Britain did not play any negative role in the administrations and developments
of Nigeria. The negative roles are obvious, but they are outside the scope of
this paper. The word “Protectorate” is used several times in the text
to mean a systematic declaration of the territorial status of the region
included in the empire in which both external and, to a certain extent,
internal sovereignty had been passed to the controlling power. The sovereignty
in many cases may be with the treaty consent of the people.
1.2 Statement
of the Research Problem
The basic factor that necessitated this
research is to examine the history and influence of Britain on Nigeria up to
the time of independence. The researcher will establish the transformation that
occurs among the Brits and Nigerians to the area within the period of this
study and the level of its consciousness among the people.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study seeks
to:
1) examine
the history of Nigeria before independence
2) explore
the influence of Britain on Nigeria
1.4
The Research Instrument
A multi-method approach is used in this
study. Information about the history of Britain and Nigeria’s independence in
1960 were obtained by using available literature. The literature included books
and articles in libraries, archives and local newspapers. Official documents
such as constitutions, handbooks, working papers and profiles of religious
groups, organizations were also used.
1.5 Scope of Study
The study focuses on
the history of Britain and Nigeria’s independence in 1960. The time studied is
the pre-colonial era to the colonial era until independence.
1.6 Limitation of Study
A study of Britain
and Nigeria’s independence in 1960 cannot intend to explore all the issues
involved. It also does not do a mere descriptive study of the two countries but
to study these countries from the point of view of relationships.