Reasons for Adoption of Indirect Rule

(i) Inadequate personnel: The British colonial administration did not have enough personnel to use direct administration.

(ii) Insufficient funds to run direct rule was another reason.

(iii) The existing organized political-administrative system in place encouraged the adoption of indirect rule. In some places, especially in Northern Nigeria, existing centralized political administration facilitated the adoption of indirect rule.

(iv) Lack of knowledge of the vast geographical territory and culture of the people are other reasons.

(v) The colonial administration wanted to preserve the customs and traditions of the people.

(vi) Cheap and easy to operate. The method was economical.

(vii) Language barrier or difficulties: British officials did not understand the local languages. This would have made communication very difficult.

(viii) Success of indirect rule in some countries: The British government had used indirect rule and recorded success in some countries i.e. India, Uganda, etc.

(ix) Poor transportation and communication systems were other reasons for the adoption of indirect rule.

(x) Fear of revolt from the people: Colonial administrators feared that the Emirs might revolt against them if they used direct administration.

(xi) Problem of administering a large area like Nigeria.