Lord Lugard’s Nigerian Council was founded in 1914 following the merger of the Northern and Southern Protectorates. The council of 24 official and 12 unofficial members.
The unofficial members were six Europeans, representing trade, shipping, banking, mining and chambers of commerce, and six Africans, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Alaafin of Oyo, the Emir of Kano, Chief Dogho Numa and several educated Nigerians from Lagos and Calabar. Officials include members of the Executive Council, prominent residents, political secretaries and secretaries of the southern and northern provinces.
This council was a purely advisory body.It had no legislative or financial powers. It was a tool of public opinion and even ineffective. Most traditional council leaders did not see themselves as part of council affairs. Educated Nigerians who held unofficial positions also did not play a significant role.
In 1922, Sir Hugh Clifford replaced Lord Lugard as governor of Nigeria.He dissolved Lord Lugard’s Nigerian Council and replaced it with a new Legislative Council for the entire Southern Protectorate. The North was to be governed by the governor’s proclamation.
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