History - Junior Secondary 3 - The roles of the Royal Niger Company in Nigeria

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 1 and 2

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: History

TOPIC:  The roles of the Royal Niger Company in Nigeria

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to

1. ) Explain the economic and trade exploitative role of the Royal Niger Company in Nigeria
2. ) Explain the political affluence and administrative role of the Royal Niger company in Nigeria

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, story-telling, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Basic History for Junior Secondary Schools 3 by Ijeoma E.O

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

WEEK 1

NOTE

THE ROLES OF THE ROYAL NIGER COMPANY IN NIGERIA
Economic Exploitation and Trade

• Monopoly Control: The Royal Niger Company was granted exclusive trading rights along the Niger River, enabling it to control the flow of trade in valuable commodities like palm oil, rubber, and timber. The company sought to eliminate competition by driving away local traders and rival European companies, establishing a monopoly that allowed it to set prices and control supply.
• Revenue Generation: The company's operations were highly profitable, generating significant revenue from the export of Nigerian resources. Palm oil, which was in high demand in Europe for use in soap and lubricants, became a primary focus of the company's trade, leading to increased production and exportation from Nigerian communities.
• Establishment of Trade Networks: The RNC developed an extensive network of trade routes, establishing trading posts and stations along the Niger River and its tributaries. These posts served as hubs for commerce, where local goods could be exchanged for European products, including textiles, firearms, and manufactured goods

EVALUATION:

1. How did the Royal Niger Company's monopoly control over trade along the Niger River impact local economies and the livelihoods of Nigerian traders?
2. Evaluate the economic consequences of the Royal Niger Company's focus on palm oil production and exportation for local communities in Nigeria. What were the benefits and drawbacks?
3. In what ways did the establishment of trade networks by the Royal Niger Company facilitate economic exploitation in Nigeria? How did these networks affect local trade practices?
4. Discuss the implications of the Royal Niger Company's efforts to eliminate competition among local traders and rival European companies. How did this strategy shape the economic landscape of the region?
5. Analyze the significance of the trade routes developed by the Royal Niger Company. How did these routes influence the exchange of goods and cultural interactions between Europeans and Nigerians?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively

WEEK 2

NOTE

THE ROLES OF THE ROYAL NIGER COMPANY IN NIGERIA
Political Influence and Administration

• Colonial Governance: Acting as a quasi-governmental body, the RNC imposed its authority over local populations, establishing rules and regulations that governed trade and interaction between different ethnic groups. The company collected taxes and enforced laws, effectively managing the territories it operated in.
• Treaty Negotiations: The RNC negotiated treaties with various local leaders, often under duress or through manipulation. These treaties frequently included agreements that granted the company trading rights and territorial control in exchange for promises of protection and development. However, the terms were often disadvantageous to the local populations.
• Conflict Management: The company played a role in mediating conflicts between different ethnic groups, often siding with certain communities to further its interests. This sometimes exacerbated tensions and led to conflicts, as local alliances shifted.

EVALUATION:

1. How did the Royal Niger Company function as a quasi-governmental body in Nigeria, and what were the implications of its authority on local governance and community interactions?
2. Critically evaluate the impact of treaty negotiations conducted by the Royal Niger Company with local leaders. In what ways did these treaties affect the political landscape of the territories involved?
3. Examine the methods employed by the Royal Niger Company to collect taxes and enforce laws in Nigerian territories. How did these practices affect the relationship between the company and local populations?
4. Analyze the conflict management strategies used by the Royal Niger Company. How did the company's involvement in mediating disputes influence ethnic relations and tensions within the regions it operated?
5. Discuss the long-term effects of the Royal Niger Company's political influence and administration on Nigeria’s post-colonial governance structures and ethnic dynamics. What lessons can be learned from this historical context?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively