Second Term Scheme of Work

i) The Berlin conference

ii) Colonial conquest of eastern Nigeria
iii) Defeat of Nana Olomu
iv) Benin Expedition
v) Conquest of Sokoto Caliphate
vi) Meaning a d Reasons for amalgamation
vii) 2nd Continuous Assessment Test
viii) Personalities who made amalgamation possible
ix) Process of Amalgamation
x) Nationalism/nationalist leaders
xi) Revision.
xii) Examinations

THE BERLIN CONFERENCE 1884/1885

Learning objectives:
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to
 Explain the Berlin Conference and reasons for the Berlin Conference 1884/1885
 State the roles of the NRC in the acquisition of territories in Nigeria
 State features of the Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference was held between 15th November, 1884 and 26th February, 1885.
it was held in Berlin, the head quarter of Germany. The Berlin conference is also called the
Berlin West African Conference.
The Berlin conference was organized by Otto Von Bismarck. It was attended by 13
countries including United states of America. The countries are Germany, France, United
Kingdom (Britain) Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ottoman
empire, Austria, Hungary and the United States of America.
Reasons for the Berlin Conference
The Berlin conference came about because of the struggle for territories among
European countries. As a result, Britain and France persuaded Germany to convey a conference
where all interested in the territories on the continent of Africa can come together and regulate
European colonization and trade in Africa.
The Berlin Treaty
Treaty is an agreement or contract between two or more nations for peace or alliance
(friendship). The agreement reached at the conference include:
 That slave trade should be officially stopped.
 it gave European countries right o acquire territories
 To ensure effective occupation of territories. European countries were told to make the
possession of any territory visible or be present in the area to prevent other powers
from showing interest in it.
The Role of NRC in the acquisition of Nigerian Territories
The Royal Niger Company (RNC) was established in 1879 by Sir Taubman Goldie with
other British merchants who had interest in the Niger Area. It was first called United African
Company (UAC) but was changed to National African Company (UAC) in 1881 and Niger Royal
Company (NRC) in 1886.
The company dominated trade in the southern protectorate stopping competition from
France and German traders. It extended its trading activities to the Northern protectorate. The
company transferred the territories to the British government for a sum of 865,000 pounds.
 OCCUPATION OF LAGOS
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
 State why Lagos was important
 Discuss how Lagos was occupied by the British
Why was Lagos important?
 Lagos was strategically located as easy access to hinterland and a natural port for
European ships. This made it attractive to the Europeans
How Lagos was Conquered
The British took advantage of the dispute between the two royal contenders for the
throne of Oba of Lagos (Kosoko and Akitoye). Oba Kosoko refused to sign the anti-slavery treaty
(agreement to stop slave trade). He was also not friends with the Europeans.
As a result, 400 British force entered Lagos and forcefully deposed (removed) him on
December 24, 1851. Oba Kosoko ran to Epe for safety.
The British installed Oba Akitoye and he signed the anti-slavery treaty. He allowed the
missionaries and traders to transfer their base from Badagry to Lagos. The British consul
became resident in Lagos in 1852. This gave him access to Yorubaland and Hinterland. King
Akitoye was succeeded by Oba Dosumu.
On 5th August 1861, King Dosumu ceded (gave) Lagos to the British after signing the
treaty of Cession. The treaty gave Britain the control and ownership of Lagos in exchange for
British protection. King Dosumu was placed on an annual pension of 1,030 pounds. Kosoko was
allowed to return to Lagos and was equally placed on pension.

THE EXILE OF KING JAJA OF OPOBO

Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
 Discuss the biography King Jaja of Opobo
 Describe how the British acquired Opobo
Mbanaso Okwara Ozurumba also known as King Jaja of Opobo was born in Amaigbo in 1821
and sold to Bonny (now in River state) in 1833 at the age of twelve (12). Jaja was a member of
Anna Pepple trading house. He eventually became the head of the house after buying his
freedom from his master.
 Jaja left Bonny in 1869 because of rivalry within the trading house with fourteen (14)
houses out of the eighteen (18) trading houses to a new settlement called Opobo.
Jaja controlled palm oil trade in that region. The Igbo, Anaang and Ibibio traders moved
their palm oil through Opobo. This made Jaja very rich and powerful in the Niger Delta Area. He
was the first king of Opobo state from December 25, 1870 to September, 1887.
In 1884, the British began to make effort to gain control of Opobo. They wanted to have
direct access to the hinterland market and buy palm oil at cheaper prices. They also wanted to
avoid paying tax to Jaja of Opobo.
A quarrel started between British traders and Jaja of Opobo in 1886. Jaja banned all
trades in his territory with British traders. He started exporting palm oil directly to England.
Consul Johnson intervened but Jaja refused.
By September 1887, Consul Johnson invited Jaja for a meeting in the warship. As soon as he
boarded the ship, he was asked to chose between attacking his kingdom or going on exile. Jaja
chose to be exiled .
He was first taken to Accra and tried before being sent to exile in Saint Vincent in West
Indies. In 1891, he was allowed to return from exile but he died on his way back home.

A
CONQUEST OF ITSEKIRI LAND (DEFEAT OF NANA OLOMU)
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, students should able to:
- Explain the post of Governor of the Benin River
- Discuss the conquest of Ebrohimi
VOCABULARY
1. Coast: the shore of a sea or ocean
2. Hinterland: the remote areas of a country away from the coast or the banks of major
rivers
3. Creek: a stream or narrow river
 4. Consul: an official appointed by a state to live in a foreign city and protect the state’s
citizens and interest there
5. Grant: a sum of money given by a government or other organizations for a particular
purpose.
The Post of the Governor of the Benin River
Following the death of Olu of Warri Akengbua in 1848, his to sons who were his successors
died in quick succession. So, there was no appointment of Olu of Warri between 1848-1936.
There was no Itsekiri king for 88 years. What they had was the office of the Governor of Benin
River. These governors were chosen from among the leading trades and trading homes in
Itsekiri land.
Itsekiri land was a coastal area and Itsekiri people served as intermediaries between British
traders and Isoko people in the hinterland.
The Conquest of Ebrohimi
Nana Olomu succeeded his father to as the governor of the Niger River (1833-1894). He
became wealthy and powerful controlling activities between the Europeans and the Urhobos.
He collected a grant of 200 pounds annually from the British Consul. He ensured that the
British did not gain access to the hinterland. Meanwhile, Urhobo people wanted to trade
directly with the British so they protested.
In 1894, General Ralph More invited Nana to the consulate headquarter. Nana Olomu
refused the invitation. Instead, he began fortifying his capital Ebrohimi by building strong
barriers across the creek which led to Ebrohimi. Ebrohimi was captured, tried and found guilty
of engaging in war with the British. He spent twelve (12) years and was allowed to return to his
home in 1906.
Nana Olomu died on 3rd July, 1916. The defeat of Jaja Opobo and Nana Olomu gave the
British access to the hinterland.
 CONQUEST OF SOKOTO CALIPHATE
Learning Objectives at the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Analyze how the British took over Sokoto caliphate
In April 1898, Lord Fredrick formed the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) when the
British government was ready to collect Nigerian territory from the Royal Niger Company. The
WAFF was stationed at Jebba (present day Kwara state) while Lugard travelled to Lokoja to host
(place) the Union Jack. This indicated that northern and Southern Nigeria have now become
British protectorates.
Fredrick Lord Lugard became the high commissioner of Northern protectorate ith the
headquarter in Lokoja. However, northerners were not aware of this development.
In order to inform them, Fredrick Lord Lugard translated the January 1st proclamation
into Arabic and sent it to the sultan of Sokoto and Emir of Gwandu. They ill-treated the
messengers sent. By 1901, Fredrick Lugard started to attack and conquer northern emirate one
after the other. This was to weaken Sokoto caliphate.
a) He conquered Bida and Kontagora in February 1901
b) He captured Bauchi in February 1901
c) He captured Zaria, Ilorin, Nasarawa in April, 1902
The only opposition he had left was Kano, Katsina and Sokoto.
 The caliph of Sokoto wrote a letter to Lugard stating that they had no dealings with
them except as between Muslims and unbelievers. He declared war on the British.
In January 1903, about 1000 troops were sent to Kano. By February 1903, Kano city as
conquered. This made it easy to run down Sokoto without much resistance.
By March 18, 1903, Sokoto was conquered. Caliph Attahiru fled to Gusau from Sokoto.
He reinforced his army at Gusau to face the Britidh troops. He as killed on July 27, 1903.

AMALGAMATION
Amalgamation was the process of unifying the northern protectorate, southern protectorate
and the Lagos colony into a single country called Nigeria in 1914. Amalgamation brought all
areas under one administration, policy and government.
Reasons for Amalgamation
1. Economic Reasons: the southern protectorate was richer than the northern
protectorate. As a result, the British decided to join all the areas so that revenue
generated can be used to develop the entire country
2. To unify different parts of the country
3. To make governance easier for the colonial administrators
4. To help the British transportation of agricultural produce all around the country
Personalities who Aided Amalgamation
- Fredrick Lord Lugard: the first high commissioner of the northern protectorate (1900-
1906). He was also the last governor general of southern protectorate (1912-1914)
- The European missionaries: the y made Nigerians receptive to the colonialists by living
among them and providing social amenities for them.
- Traditional rulers: they convinced their subjects and prevented them from revolting
against amalgamation plan
 - Taubman Goldie: he acquired Nigeria territories before handing them over to the British
government
Process of Amalgamation
The then high commissioner of northern protectorate convinced Mac Gregor Laird (governor of
Lagos colo y) and Sir Ralph Moore ( High Commissioner of southern Nigeria) to amalgamated
Nigerian.
In 1912, Lugard convinced Me Lewis Vernon Harcourt (secretary of State for colonies) on the
need to amalgamate Nigeria. Mr Lewis set up a committee in 1913. By 19th May, 1913, Fredrick
Lord Lugard submitted the amalgamation proposal to London. On January 1st, 1914, Nigeria
was amalgamated.
Implications of Amalgamation
1. Presence of a singular government
2. Protectorates became known as provinces
3. Provinces were led by a lieutenant governor who reported directly to the governor
general
4. The central government had its headquarter at Lagos (1914-1991)
5. Existence of an administrator for Lagos colony
 INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT
Nationalism is the expression for self rule or self governance. Lagos was the centre of
nationalist movement in Nigeria.
Phases of Independence movement in Nigeria
Phase 1 (1914-1955)
Nationalists at this period made the following demands
i) Fair treatment for businessmen and merchants
ii) More representation of Nigeria in the legislative council
iii) Better prices for agricultural produce
iv) Better educational facilities
v) Equal salary scale
Phase 2 (1945-1960)
The main demand of nationalists was the condemnation and of colonial rule and demand for
independence. Nationalists made demands through mass demonstrations, disobedience to civil
rules, strikes and sending delegations to London
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT IN NIGERIA
INTERNAL FACTORS
Ø Unpopular colonial rule
Ø Foreign control of trade and economy
Ø Discrimination in the work force
 Ø Establishment of political parties (Nigeria National Democratic Party by Herbert
Macaulay in 1923, Action Group by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, National Congress of
Nigerians and the Cameroon's
Ø Active participation of trade union
Ø Improved educational facilities
Ø Establishment of newspapers (Lagos Daily by Herbert Macaulay 1927, the West African
Pilot by Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1937 and Nigerian Tribune by Obafemi Awolowo 1949
EXTERNAL FACTORS
Ø The Atlantic Charter of 1941
Ø Influence of America
Ø Independence of Asian countries (India 1947, Burmar 1948, Palestine 1948 and Malaya
1957)
Ø Attitude of British Labour Party
Ø United Nations Charter 1945
Ø Influence of Nigeria students in London (West Aslfrica. students Union by Solanke in
1941)
Ø Support of X-service men (influence of the second world war)

.
.

NIGERIA'S ATTAINMENT OF INDEPENDENCE

Nigeria was granted independence from British colonial rule on 1st October, 1960. It came after
the independence constitution after the London constitution conference from 23rd March to
26th June, 1957. The meeting was between the secretary of state for colonies and
representatives if different political parties.
Decisions reached at London conference of 1957

1. Creation of the office of the prime minister who was appointed by the party that has
the largest or majority members in the federal house of representatives
2. Self governance for southern region on August 1957
3. Self governance for northern region in March 1959
4. Creation of house of chiefs in the eastern region (60 members)
5. Second chamber for northern and southern region
6. Lagos remained the Federal Capital Territory (1914-1991)
7. A plebiscite to be held for Cameroonians in Nigeria
8. Independence date to be determined by the parliament
Lagos constitutional conference of 1958
It was held to discuss issues that were not resolved in London in 1957. It was agreed here that
Northern region should be independent on 15th March, 1959
London constitutional conference 1960
Officials of the federal regional government drafted the constitution for Nigeria.
On 1st October, 1960 Nigeria became an independent country.
It had three regions (birth, east a d west)
Nigeria was to operate a bicameral legislature (senate and house of representatives). The
senate is made up of forty-five (45) members while the house of representatives has three
hundred and twelve (312) members.