First place the British occupied in Nigeria. Relate activities of the British Royal Niger Company of Royal Niger Company’s Charter on 31st December, 1899 The Founder of the Royal Niger History Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5
Title: British Rule In Nigeria – Part 2
Subject: History
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Topic: British Rule In Nigeria 2: Early Areas, How They Came, Royal Niger Company, Charter Revocation, Royal Niger Founder
Duration: 45 minutes
Learning Objectives:
1. Know where the British first settled in Nigeria.
2. Understand how the British came to Nigeria.
3. Learn about the British Royal Niger Company’s actions in Nigeria.
4. Discover why the Royal Niger Company lost its rights on December 31, 1899.
5. Identify the person who founded the Royal Niger Company.
Previous Lesson: In our last lesson, we talked about how the British started coming to Nigeria.
Embedded Core Skills: Thinking, history, talking.
Learning Materials:
1. The board and markers.
2. Pictures and maps.
3. Books and papers.
4. A chart about early British areas.
5. Extra books for checking.
Content:
The British first settled in Nigeria along the coast, particularly in areas that are now known as Lagos and Calabar. These coastal regions provided suitable harbors for their ships and were convenient for trade. Lagos, in particular, became a significant British settlement and later the capital of Nigeria during the colonial period. The British established their presence along the coast before gradually moving inland as they expanded their control over Nigeria. This initial coastal settlement marked the beginning of British influence in Nigeria, eventually leading to the colonization of the entire country.
How the British came to Nigeria
The British came to Nigeria through a combination of exploration, trade, and colonization. Here’s a brief overview of how they arrived in Nigeria:
1. Exploration: British explorers, such as Mungo Park and Richard Lander, ventured into the interior of Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They mapped out the Niger River and its surroundings, which would become significant for later British activities in Nigeria.
2. Trade: The British established trading relationships with local Nigerian kingdoms and communities along the coast. Goods like palm oil, rubber, and other resources were valuable in the European market. This trade motivated the British to deepen their involvement in Nigeria.
3. Treaties: The British negotiated treaties with various Nigerian rulers and communities. These treaties often gave the British trading rights and established their presence in different parts of Nigeria. Some of these agreements were signed under less-than-equitable circumstances.
4. Military Conquest: When negotiations and treaties didn’t secure their interests, the British used military force to expand their control. They engaged in conflicts with local leaders and communities, leading to the colonization of Nigeria.
5. Formal Colonization: Nigeria was formally colonized by the British in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was divided into the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1900 and later merged in 1914 to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
In summary, the British came to Nigeria through exploration, trade, the negotiation of treaties, and, in some cases, military actions. These actions allowed them to establish their presence and eventually colonize Nigeria, leading to the period of British colonial rule.
Evaluation :
1. The British initially settled along the ________ of Nigeria.
a) Coast
b) Mountains
c) Rivers
d) Deserts
2. The coastal area where the British first settled included ________ and Calabar.
a) Lagos
b) Kano
c) Jos
d) Sokoto
3. British explorers like Mungo Park and Richard Lander played a role in ________.
a) Trading
b) Colonization
c) Exploration
d) Farming
4. The British established trading relationships in Nigeria because of valuable ________ resources.
a) Food
b) Palm oil
c) Cotton
d) Gold
5. Some treaties were signed between the British and Nigerian rulers to secure ________ rights.
a) Fishing
b) Trading
c) Farming
d) Hunting
6. When negotiations failed, the British sometimes used ________ to expand their control.
a) Money
b) Diplomacy
c) Military force
d) Religion
7. The formal colonization of Nigeria occurred in the late ________ century.
a) 15th
b) 18th
c) 19th
d) 20th
8. Nigeria was divided into Northern and Southern Protectorates in the year ________.
a) 1800
b) 1900
c) 2000
d) 2100
9. The merging of the Northern and Southern Protectorates created the Colony and Protectorate of ________.
a) Lagos
b) Calabar
c) Nigeria
d) Britain
10. The British came to Nigeria through exploration, trade, treaties, and sometimes the use of ________.
a) Diplomacy
b) Military force
c) Trade routes
d) Communication
11. Local Nigerian communities often engaged in ________ with the British.
a) Cooperation
b) Trade
c) Conflict
d) Friendship
12. The Niger River played a significant role in the British exploration of ________.
a) South America
b) Europe
c) Africa
d) Asia
13. British explorers like ________ mapped the Niger River and its surroundings.
a) Christopher Columbus
b) Nelson Mandela
c) Mungo Park
d) Albert Einstein
14. The British established their presence in Nigeria to access valuable ________ resources.
a) Technology
b) Cultural
c) Natural
d) Historical
15. The British colonization of Nigeria led to a period of ________ colonial rule.
a) French
b) German
c) British
d) Spanish
[mediator_tech]
British Royal Niger Company’s actions in Nigeria
The British Royal Niger Company played a significant role in Nigeria during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here are some key actions and activities of the company in Nigeria:
- Economic Activities: The primary purpose of the Royal Niger Company was economic. It engaged in trade, particularly in palm oil and other valuable resources. The company established trading posts and factories in various parts of Nigeria to facilitate the collection and export of these resources. This trade was highly profitable for the company and the British Empire.
- Expansion and Control: The Royal Niger Company expanded its influence inland from the coastal regions. It signed treaties with local Nigerian rulers and communities, which often gave the company rights to collect taxes, maintain order, and establish its authority in these areas. This expansion allowed the company to control significant territories in what is now Nigeria.
- Administration: The company acted as a quasi-governmental entity in the territories it controlled. It appointed its own officials to administer these regions and collect taxes on behalf of the company and the British government. This administrative structure was part of the indirect rule system used by the British in their colonial governance.
- Infrastructure Development: The Royal Niger Company invested in infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, railways, and telegraph lines. These infrastructure projects aimed to facilitate trade and improve transportation within the territories under the company’s control.
- Challenges and Conflicts: The company faced challenges and conflicts with local communities and rivals. Some Nigerians resisted the company’s presence and control, leading to occasional conflicts and tensions. Additionally, rival European companies and colonial powers sometimes clashed with the Royal Niger Company over territorial control.
- Charter Revocation: The Royal Niger Company operated under a charter granted by the British government. However, due to allegations of misconduct and abuses of power, the British government revoked the company’s charter on December 31, 1899. This marked the end of the company’s direct control over Nigerian territories.
- Legacy: Despite its eventual dissolution, the Royal Niger Company played a significant role in shaping the economic, political, and administrative landscape of Nigeria. It contributed to the integration of various Nigerian regions into a single entity and set the stage for full British colonial rule, which began after the company’s charter was revoked.
In summary, the British Royal Niger Company’s actions in Nigeria were primarily focused on economic exploitation, territorial control, and infrastructure development. While it played a pivotal role in the early colonial history of Nigeria, its charter revocation marked a transition to direct British colonial rule in the region
The Royal Niger Company lost its rights on December 31, 1899, because the British government believed the company had been abusing its power and not governing fairly. This led to concerns about the treatment of local people and the mismanagement of the territories the company controlled. As a result, the British government decided to take over direct control of these areas, ending the company’s authority in Nigeria.
The Royal Niger Company was founded by Sir George Goldie
[mediator_tech]
Evaluation
1. The British Royal Niger Company played a significant role in Nigeria during the late ________ century.
a) 17th
b) 18th
c) 19th
d) 20th
2. The main purpose of the Royal Niger Company was to engage in ________.
a) Farming
b) Exploration
c) Trade
d) Education
3. The company was primarily involved in trading ________ resources.
a) Cultural
b) Natural
c) Historical
d) Technological
4. The Royal Niger Company expanded its influence from the ________ areas into the interior of Nigeria.
a) Coastal
b) Desert
c) Mountainous
d) Rainforest
5. The company signed ________ with local Nigerian rulers to secure its rights in various territories.
a) Agreements
b) Weather forecasts
c) Recipes
d) Songs
6. The Royal Niger Company had the authority to collect ________ from the areas it controlled.
a) Taxes
b) Seashells
c) Flowers
d) Toys
7. One of the reasons the Royal Niger Company lost its rights in Nigeria was because of concerns about its ________.
a) Fair governance
b) Military strength
c) Secret recipes
d) Travel routes
8. The British government decided to revoke the Royal Niger Company’s rights on ________.
a) December 31, 1888
b) December 31, 1899
c) December 31, 1910
d) December 31, 1925
9. The name of the person who founded the Royal Niger Company was ________.
a) Sir George Goldie
b) Queen Elizabeth II
c) King Louis XVI
d) Sir Isaac Newton
10. The Royal Niger Company’s charter revocation marked the end of its ________.
a) Leadership
b) Activities in Nigeria
c) Trading partners
d) Secret recipes
11. The company invested in building ________ to improve transportation in the territories it controlled.
a) Schools
b) Roads
c) Skyscrapers
d) Submarines
12. The Royal Niger Company had ________ control over areas in Nigeria.
a) Partial
b) No
c) Full
d) Temporary
13. The primary purpose of the Royal Niger Company’s presence in Nigeria was for ________.
a) Exploration
b) Trade
c) Farming
d) Religious missions
14. The British government believed the Royal Niger Company had been ________ its power.
a) Abusing
b) Sharing
c) Ignoring
d) Fixing
15. The Royal Niger Company played a significant role in the early colonial history of ________.
a) Ghana
b) Nigeria
c) South Africa
d) Egypt
Presentation:
Step 1: Getting Started (5 minutes)
– Explain why it’s important to learn about the British rule in Nigeria.
– Tell what we’ll learn today.
Step 2: Main Points (25 minutes)
– Talk about where the British first settled in Nigeria.
– Share how the British came here (like through treaties and fighting).
– Talk about what the British Royal Niger Company did in Nigeria.
– Explain why the Royal Niger Company lost its rights on December 31, 1899.
– Tell the name of the person who started the Royal Niger Company.
Step 3: Using What We’ve Learned (10 minutes)
– Let’s talk about how the British rule affected Nigeria.
– Look at maps and pictures to see the places they took over.
– Ask questions to hear what you think.
Teacher’s Activities:
– Share the lesson in a simple way.
– Show pictures and use examples.
– Ask students to join the discussion.
Learners Activities:
– Listen well and take notes.
– Join our talk and ask questions.
Assessment:
– We’ll see how you understand by talking and asking questions.
– You’ll have some homework or write a short essay about how British rule changed Nigeria.
Evaluation Questions:
1. Can you name the first places the British settled in Nigeria?
2. How did the British get into Nigeria?
3. What did the British Royal Niger Company do in Nigeria?
4. Why did the Royal Niger Company lose its rights on December 31, 1899?
5. Who started the Royal Niger Company?
Conclusion:
– Summarize what we learned today.
– Say again why it’s important to know our history with the British.
– Tell about your homework and extra reading if you want to learn more.
