History - Junior Secondary 3 - Amalgamation of Nigeria

TERM: 2^ND TERM

WEEK: 7 and 8

CLASS: Junior Secondary School 3

AGE: 14 years

DURATION: 40 minutes

DATE:

SUBJECT: History

TOPIC:  Amalgamation of Nigeria

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

1. ) Define Amalgamation
2. ) Discuss when and how the amalgamation of Nigeria took place
3. ) Give reasons for the amalgamation of 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 7

NOTE

AMALGAMATION OF NIGERIA

Amalgamation refers to the process of combining two or more entities into a single, unified whole. In the context of Nigeria, it specifically refers to the unification of the British protectorates of Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria into one colony, known as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, which took effect on January 1, 1914. This process was intended to streamline governance and administration in a territory characterized by diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and political systems.

When and How the Amalgamation of Nigeria Took Place

The amalgamation of Nigeria took place on January 1, 1914. The process was orchestrated by Sir Frederick Lugard, who was appointed the Governor-General of Nigeria. The amalgamation involved several key steps:

• Colonial Administration Background:
• Prior to amalgamation, Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria were administered separately. The Northern Protectorate was established in 1897, while the Southern Protectorate was created in 1900. Each region had its own distinct administrative structures, policies, and governance styles.
• Administrative Reforms:
• In 1912, Sir Frederick Lugard recommended the amalgamation as part of a broader administrative reform aimed at improving the efficiency of the colonial government. His proposal was based on the belief that a unified administration would better manage the diverse regions and enhance economic cooperation.
• Legislative Approval:
• The British colonial government approved Lugard's proposal, leading to the formal amalgamation of the two protectorates. The process was primarily top-down, with little to no input from the local populations who would be affected by this significant change.
• Formation of the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria:
• On January 1, 1914, the Northern and Southern Protectorates were officially merged into one administrative entity known as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, with Sir Frederick Lugard serving as the Governor-General.

EVALUATION:

1. Define the term "amalgamation" and explain its significance in the context of Nigeria's colonial history.
2. Describe the key steps involved in the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, including the role of Sir Frederick Lugard in this process.
3. Discuss the administrative reforms proposed by Sir Frederick Lugard in 1912 and how they contributed to the decision to amalgamate the two protectorates.
4. Analyze the reasons for the amalgamation of Nigeria, highlighting both economic and political factors that influenced the British colonial government.
5. Evaluate the implications of the amalgamation for local populations, particularly in terms of governance, cultural integration, and potential resistance to colonial rule

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively

WEEK 8

NOTE

AMALGAMATION OF NIGERIA
Reasons for the Amalgamation of Nigeria

Several factors motivated the amalgamation of Nigeria:

1. Administrative Efficiency:
   • The British sought to streamline governance by reducing the complexities of managing two separate territories with distinct administrative systems. A unified administration was expected to cut costs and enhance the effectiveness of governance.
2. Economic Integration:
   • The amalgamation aimed to foster economic cooperation and resource sharing between the Northern and Southern regions. The South was rich in agricultural exports, while the North was primarily agrarian. Combining these regions would facilitate trade and improve overall economic development.
3. Political Control:
   • The British aimed to establish a centralized political authority to reduce the likelihood of uprisings and local resistance. A unified Nigeria would allow for better control over diverse ethnic groups and help mitigate conflicts arising from cultural differences.
4. Strategic Interests:
   • The unification was also driven by the British desire to strengthen their presence in West Africa against competing colonial powers. A unified Nigeria would enhance British influence and ensure dominance in the region.
5. Resource Exploitation:
   • Nigeria's rich resources, including palm oil, rubber, and minerals, were attractive to the British. Amalgamation was seen as a way to maximize resource extraction and streamline the collection of taxes from the newly unified territory.
6. Facilitation of Infrastructure Development:

A unified administration would enable the British to plan and implement infrastructure projects more effectively across the newly combined territory. This included the construction of roads, railways, and ports, which would facilitate trade and transport of goods throughout Nigeria.

2. Cultural and Social Cohesion:

The British believed that amalgamation could promote cultural exchanges and social cohesion among Nigeria's diverse ethnic groups. By integrating different regions, the colonial administration hoped to foster a sense of unity and identity among the population, which they viewed as necessary for maintaining control.

3. Strengthening of Colonial Rule:

By merging the two protectorates, the British aimed to strengthen their overall colonial rule. The amalgamation was intended to reduce the likelihood of localized resistance and uprisings, as a more centralized authority could address grievances more effectively.

4. Political Experimentation:

The amalgamation was seen as a political experiment in governance. The British wanted to test different administrative methods and strategies for managing a diverse and populous colony, which would later inform their approaches in other African territories.

5. Promotion of Western Education:

A unified Nigeria allowed for the coordinated promotion of Western education across both regions. The British aimed to increase literacy and education, particularly in the Southern region, and hoped that a standardized educational system would help integrate the diverse populations.

6. Colonial Funding and Revenue:

The amalgamation was also financially motivated. A single administration could potentially lead to increased revenue generation through taxes and exports, which would support the colonial government and its operations.

7. Responses to Local Governance Challenges:

Prior to amalgamation, both protectorates faced governance challenges due to their unique political landscapes. The British believed that a unified approach could address these challenges more effectively, leveraging the strengths of local governance in various regions while maintaining overarching control.

8. Mitigation of Ethnic Conflicts:

The British viewed the amalgamation as a way to manage and mitigate ethnic conflicts by promoting a single colonial identity. By promoting unity, they hoped to prevent tensions from escalating into broader conflicts that could threaten colonial rule.

9. Support from Local Leaders:

Some local leaders supported the idea of amalgamation, believing it could bring stability and development. Their support was leveraged by the British to facilitate the process, even though many other local populations remained unaware of the implications of the malgamation.

10. Response to International Pressures:

The period leading up to the amalgamation saw increased international competition among colonial powers in Africa. By consolidating its control over Nigeria, Britain aimed to assert its dominance and respond to pressures from other European nations that were expanding their colonial empires.

EVALUATION:

1. Evaluate the administrative efficiency goals of the British colonial government in the context of the amalgamation of Nigeria. How did they expect a unified administration to improve governance?
2. Analyze the economic motivations behind the amalgamation of Nigeria, focusing on how the combination of Northern and Southern resources aimed to enhance trade and development.
3. Discuss the political objectives of the British in amalgamating Nigeria. How did the British perceive a unified political authority as a means to mitigate resistance and manage ethnic diversity?
4. Examine the strategic interests that influenced the British decision to amalgamate Nigeria. How did the unification strengthen British presence and dominance in West Africa against competing colonial powers?
5. Assess the implications of amalgamation on local governance and ethnic relations in Nigeria. In what ways did the British attempt to address local challenges and promote social cohesion through this process?

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CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher marks their books and commends them positively