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SS2: GOVERNMENT - 2ND TERM

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  1. Local Government Administration | Week 1
    4 Topics
  2. Structure of Local Government | Week 2
    7 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  3. Local Government Reforms | Week 3
    5 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  4. Pre-Colonial Political Administration In Nigeria | Week 4, 5 & 6
    6 Topics
    |
    3 Quizzes
  5. Colonialism | Week 7
    5 Topics
  6. British Colonial Administration in Nigeria I | Week 8
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  7. British Colonial Administration in Nigeria II | Week 9
    5 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  8. French Colonial Administration | Week 10
    8 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  9. Leadership and Followership | Week 11
    8 Topics

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Topic Content:

  • Theory Questions – British Colonial Administration in Nigeria I

Theory Questions and Answers – British Colonial Administration in Nigeria I:

1. a. List the four territories colonized by Britain in West Africa.

b. Enumerate the features of colonial Government in Nigeria.

2. a. What is a Crown colony?

b. What were the roles of the Governor-General in British colonial administration in Nigeria?

3. Write short notes on the following during British Colonial administration in Nigeria:

(a) Protectorate (b) Native Authority (c) Legislative Council (d) Executive Council.

4. Why was the British Crown Colony unpopular in the 1920s?

5. In what ways did the British Colonial Administration limit the powers of the Legislative Council?

6. What were the roles played by chiefs in the British Colonial administration in Nigeria?

 

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Theory Questions – British Colonial Administration in Nigeria I

1. a. List the four territories colonized by Britain in West Africa.

Answer:

  • Nigeria
  • Sierra Leone
  • Gambia
  • Ghana (Gold Coast)

 

b. Enumerate the features of colonial Government in Nigeria.

Answer:

  • Traditional Rulers: The Colonialists ruled indirectly by engaging the traditional rulers and the chiefs to govern the people.
  • Customs and Traditions: The customs and traditions of the people played a significant role in the administration.
  • Respect for the Culture: The cultural values of the people were respected by the British officials.
  • Respect for the Traditional Rulers: They were respected and given exalted positions in the administration which made it easy for the colonialists to operate and rule.
  • Cost of Administration: The cost of administration was not high because those involved were paid peanuts.
  • Collection of Taxes: The whites made use of natural agricultural produce.
  • The Police and Prisons: Native police and prisons were utilized in the system.

 

2. a. What is a Crown colony?

Answer:

A Crown Colony system was a territory acquired by the British through settlement, Secession, Conquest or purchase. In Crown Colonies, the British used direct rule. It established political institutions such as the legislative council, executive council and Governor to rule the people. The people of the territory were regarded as British subjects. The Crown Colony system was headed by a Governor. e.g. Calabar Crown Colony, and Lagos Crown Colony.

 

b. What were the roles of the Governor-General in British colonial administration in Nigeria?

Answer:

Functions of Governor General:

  • The Governor-General was authorized to appoint the prime minister in the country.
  • He appointed ministers on the advice of the prime minister.
  • He gave assent to bills passed by the parliament into law.
  • He performed ceremonial functions.
  • He could dismiss the prime minister and his cabinet through a vote of no confidence.
  • He had the power to dissolve and summon the parliament on the advice of the prime minister.
  • He exercised the prerogative of mercy on the advice of the prime minister.

 

3. Write short notes on the following during British Colonial administration in Nigeria:

(a) Protectorate

Answer:

British protectorate was the area the British offered their protection to through treaties. In these territories, the British government exercised limited control. These territories had their traditional rulers whom the British government signed treaties with recognizing their status. There were two Protectorates: the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria and the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria each was headed by a High Commissioner who was appointed by the secretary of state for the colonies. In the Protectorate, traditional rulers ruled their people while the European officials supervised them.

 

(b) Native Authority

Answer:

British Colonial policy of Indirect rule used the native authorities, and traditional political institutions to rule the people while the Residents and District officers supervised. Where traditional rulers were not available, warrant chiefs were appointed to fill the gap.

Some of their functions included:

  • Maintenance of law and order in their community through ordinance.
  • Settle cases through the Native Authority Courts.
  • They collected taxes and tributes from their people on behalf of the colonial administration.
  • They control native treasuries.

 

(c) Legislative Council

Answer:

In 1914, Lord Luggard established the Nigerian Council which performed merely an advisory role. As provided by the 1922 constitution a legislative council was established with the official majority. This legislative council legislated only for Southern Nigeria. The council performed an advisory role to the governor. By 1946, the legislative council which consisted of an unofficial majority legislated for the entire country. The legislative council from 1922 to 1951 had only four elected members. In 1951, the legislative council was replaced with the House of Representatives.

 

(d) Executive Council.

Answer:

British Colonial administration also established an executive council headed by the Governor to formulate and implement policies in the colony. The council also on political, economic, social and security issues. The executive council members were British officials. The Governor was also empowered to appoint other extraordinary members to obtain specialized advice.

 

4. Why was the British Crown Colony unpopular in the 1920s?

Answer:

  • The Governor was a dictator, he exercised veto powers and power of certification.
  • The executive council and legislative council until the early 1940s and 1920s respectively were dominated by Europeans.
  • The executive council and legislative council were advisory bodies to the Governors. The Governors were not bound to take their advice.
  • Educated elites were excluded from the administration of the Crown Colony.
  • Africans in the legislative councils were nominated not elected.
  • Traditional rulers were used as unofficial members of the legislative councils.

 

5. In what ways did the British Colonial Administration limit the powers of the Legislative Council?

Answer:

Indirect rule was a system of administration in which the British Colonial Administration adopted and Utilized the traditional political institutions of the people to govern the people in accordance with their traditional norms and practices which did not conflict with British laws but was under the guidance and control of the British government officials. Indirect rule was first introduced in Nigeria by Lord Fredrick Luggard. It was first experimented in Northern Nigeria between 1900 and 1906 when Lord Luggard was the High Commissioner for the Northern Protectorate.

 

6. What were the roles played by chiefs in the British Colonial administration in Nigeria?

Answer:

  • They motivated the people to accept the Colonial administration as the people initially revolted against colonialism.
  • They maintained law and order in their communities.
  • Their involvement in the administration helped to preserve the traditional political system.
  • House of Chiefs took part in making laws for the good governance of the territory.
  • They settled disputes related to traditional laws and customs.
  • Traditional rulers also collected rates and taxes.

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