Let’s get started by defining the indirect rule system.
What does the term “indirect rule” mean?
The British colonial government used an indirect rule system to control the people of their colonies by utilizing traditional rulers and political institutions.
Indirect Rule in Nigeria Lord Frederick Lugard introduced the indirect rule system to Nigeria. Through the traditional rulers, who merely acted as intermediaries between the people and the British government, British colonial officials in Nigeria formulated and implemented policies and laws.
However, in order to make the people’s customs and cultures more palatable, the British authorities respected and preserved them. The traditional chiefs cooperated with the system, claiming that they have no trouble dealing with British officials because their cultures and traditions are respected. However, this was only partially true.
Indirect Rule in Northern Nigeria A British official named “Resident” divided the northern protectorate of Nigeria into six provinces. The provinces were then broken up into districts, each of which had a district commissioner as its leader.
Was Northern Nigeria’s indirect rule effective?
The structure of their pre-colonial political administration, which was highly centralized, and the existence of a tax system prior to the arrival of the British contributed significantly to the system’s success.
Nigerian indirect rule: Did Eastern Nigeria benefit from indirect rule?
No! In fact, the system was a huge failure in the eastern part of Nigeria, whereas it was successful in the northern part.
The Igbo’s decentralized pre-colonial political system and the introduction of warrant chiefs, which incurred the wrath of the Igbo people (easterners), were the primary causes of indirect rule’s failure in eastern Nigeria. In carrying out their responsibilities, the warrant chiefs were brutal and ruthless.
The fear of women paying taxes that led to the 1929 Aba women’s riot was caused by the way the warrant chiefs handled the taxation system when it was first implemented in eastern Nigeria.
Indirect Rule in Western Nigeria.
It is important to note that the pre-colonial political system’s check and balance system contributed to the system’s partial success in the western region of Nigeria.
For a variety of reasons, educated Nigerian elites began to oppose the indirect rule later. They claimed that the British government purposefully used traditional rulers who lacked education and were unable to question or challenge British officials’ decisions, whereas educated elites were not recognized and could not participate in government.
This led to a rise in Nigerian nationalism and an acceleration in the demand for the country’s liberation. Famous people like Herbert Macaulay, known as the “father of nationalism,” led campaigns against the British colonial government to get the country’s independence, which was finally granted on October 1, 1960.
What factors led to the establishment of the indirect rule system in Nigeria?
Due to a lack of British personnel and funds, the British colonial government adopted this method, and the system’s popularity in India and other nations prompted its introduction to Nigeria.
Language barrier, adverse climate, egotism, such as meeting Britain’s economic needs, and other factors are additional reasons or factors.
Some Nigerians believed that the system would lead to political freedom and stability in the country, while others only saw it as a way to exploit the country.
