British Colonial Nigeria

British Colonial Nigeria began with the annexation of Lagos in 1861 and expanded through protectorates, chartered-company rule and military conquest. In 1914 the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated into a single colony and protectorate.

Colonial government relied heavily on indirect rule, taxation, courts, appointed chiefs and regional administrations, while missions and schools changed religious and educational life. These institutions interacted differently with existing political systems across the country.

The context ends with independence on 1 October 1960. Its child phases distinguish the first colonial encounter in Igboland, the consolidation of indirect rule and the final decades of nationalist politics and late colonial administration.