By the turn of the 18th century, British owners of tobacco and sugar cane plantations were questioning the profitability of slavery. The Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum, and Britain needed raw materials for its factories, markets for its products, and palm oil for lubrication and soap manufacture. Nigeria, with its rich resources, was a prime target. Nigerian palm oil was already being used in Britain, and a new, more civilized relationship between Britain and Nigeria was needed.
The second period of British-Nigerian relations saw the emergence of legitimate trade, but Nigerians were still treated as inferior and exploited. The British controlled prices and enforced their dictates, often using rum to cheat Nigerian dealers. In exchange for goods like ivory and palm oil, Nigerians received little more than trinkets and new names. Merchandise like glass beads, copper bracelets, and cloth were also given in exchange for valuable commodities.
The British merchant adventurers were driven by naked economic self-interest, seeking to enrich themselves and their motherland. While explorers like Mungo Park were motivated by a desire for adventure and human knowledge, their sponsors were driven by greed. The British reserved the right to dictate prices and conditions, with Nigerians having little say in the matter. This period also saw the end of arms and ammunition being given to Nigerians in exchange for goods.
The third period of British-Nigerian relations was marked by British national aggrandizement. Britain had recovered from its American humiliation and established itself as a dominant economic, political, and military power. It had acquired new territories, subjugated India and other Asian territories, and compelled China and Japan to do business on its terms. Britain's supremacy on land and sea was unchallenged, and it sought to protect its sources of raw materials and markets.
Britain's scramble for Africa was driven by self-interest, with no room for altruism or philanthropy. The treaty-making offensives in Nigeria during this period were characterized by foul and inhuman methods, with the end justifying the means. British merchants needed trade to flourish in Nigeria, which required peace, orderliness, and good government. To achieve this, the British provided administration and government, but only incidentally benefited Nigerians.
The British also relied on Christian missionaries, who had started evangelization and education work in Nigeria, to provide literate Nigerians for administrative and commercial purposes. This saved the British from having to undertake direct education, which would have been done solely to satisfy their own self-interest. The missionaries' work was crucial in supporting British economic interests in Nigeria.
The legacy of British colonization in Nigeria is complex, with economic interests driving the relationship from the outset. While British merchants and administrators may have brought some benefits, such as education and infrastructure, their primary motivation was self-enrichment. The impact of this period on Nigeria's development and its people's lives continues to be felt today.
Key points
- British colonization of Nigeria was driven by economic interests, including the need for raw materials and markets.
- Nigerians were exploited and treated as inferior during the period of legitimate trade.
- Christian missionaries played a crucial role in supporting British economic interests in Nigeria by providing education and literate Nigerians.
