So why did the British adopt the Indirect Rule system in administering their West African colonies during the colonial period?
Well, you will now know the reasons why Britain introduced Indirect Rule to British West Africa.
But I think it is proper for us to get a clear meaning of the term “Indirect Rule” first.
The Meaning of Indirect Rule
From the 1920s onwards, the British adopted a system of administration known as Indirect Rule to administer their territories in British West Africa.
Under this system, the traditional rulers (chiefs) were the main instruments by which the British executed their policies.
Where there were no chiefs with traditional authority, the British appointed so-called “warrant chiefs” to constitute traditional authorities.
The British constituted the traditional administrative set-up into what was known as Native Authorities. The head of a Native Authority was the traditional ruler. They were assisted by councils of elders.
Indirect Rule was first introduced into Northern Nigeria by Lord Frederick Lugard.
The British, unlike the French, rejected the idea of imposing European culture on Africans. In the words of Governor Gordon Guggisberg “We must aim at the development of the people along their own racial lines and not at the wholesale replacement of their civilization by our own”.
They, therefore, maintained the traditional African political institutions and ruled indirectly through the local chiefs.
Reasons for the introduction of Indirect Rule
You can now have a summary of the reasons why, unlike France, Britain chose Indirect Rule to administer the affairs of her West African colonies.
1. Financial Reasons
The British Empire at this time was very large and recruiting British officials at all levels and in all the colonial territories would be costly. Indirect rule was cheaper since local rulers could be used.
Moreover, by the end of World War I (1914-1918), Britain had suffered a great deal in terms of manpower and other economic resources. Thus, the policy of Indirect Rule was meant to take care of the financial difficulties at home.
2. Shortage of personnel
Most British nationals were unwilling to work in the colonies because they thought they were primitive and underdeveloped.
3. Laissez-Faire policy back in Britain
The British themselves were practising a liberal, decentralized form of political administration and wanted to do the same in the colonies.
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4. Desire for minimal interference in local affairs
The British would not like to be seen as interfering too much in the affairs of the indigenous people. This might cause anger among them and work against the objectives of colonial rule.
5. The existence of an efficient centralized political system
This was particularly the case in Northern Nigeria
The British only needed to use this well-established bureaucracy. E.g. courts, police, prisons, tax system etc.
6. Problems of communication
Language and travel barriers necessitated the use of indigenous rulers at the local level.
7. Experience elsewhere
Lord Lugard who introduced indirect rule in Northern Nigeria had a successful similar experience in Uganda. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles was also successful in Malaya and Singapore. The British were therefore convinced it was the best system to adopt.
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Very excellent…..we appreciate your efforts
Hi Simon. Thank you for the kind words! They help a lot.
Hey Ralph! can you help with the factor why did British adopt indirect approach in the pacific island countries?
Hi Milton. Thanks for reaching out. I’ll see what I can do about that. Please give me a few days.
Hello Milton. The reasons look pretty much the same. You might want to check out these resources.
1. Colonial Governance System in the Pacific Islands.
2. Indirect Rule in the British Empire.
Excellent point very precise and concise
Asante Sana,nimeelimika kupitia wewe ….
Hi Ralph, do you have source references to verify all of your statements in this blog?
Hello Marcus. Thank you for reaching out. Yes, I can help you. Teachers use syllabuses, textbooks and other reliable sources available to them. Please, let me know if you need any assistance. The goal for preparing students for a standardized international examination is always the same. And I’m very much focused on that goal which is the core objective of this blog. For that matter, I will also appreciate it very much if you can quickly draw my attention to any statements you might consider untrue. I love learning and I am willing to learn from you. Thank you so much.