Royal Niger Company Colonial Nigeria

ensign of royal niger company (1888–1899)



british stamps used in 1898 @ akassa royal niger company

the legitimate trade in commodities attracted number of rough-hewn british merchants niger river, men had been formerly engaged in slave trade changed line of wares. large companies subsequently opened depots in delta cities , in lagos ruthlessly competitive delta towns , used force compel potential suppliers agree contracts , meet demands. extent, competition amongst these companies undermined collective position vis-a-vis local merchants.

in 1870s, therefore, george taubman goldie began amalgamating companies united african company, renamed national african company.

the royal niger company established headquarters far inland @ lokoja, main trading port of company, pretended assume responsibility administration of areas along niger , benue rivers maintained depots. gained virtual monopoly on trade along river

the company interfered in territory along niger , benue, becoming embroiled in serious conflicts when british-led native constabulary intercepted slave raids or attempted protect trade routes. company negotiated treaties sokoto, gwandu, , nupe interpreted guaranteeing exclusive access trade in return payment of annual tribute. officials of sokoto caliphate considered these treaties quite differently; perspective, british granted extraterritorial rights did not prevent similar arrangements germans , french , did not surrender sovereignty.

even before gaining charter, company signed treaties local leaders granted broad sovereign powers. 1 1885 treaty read:

we, undersigned king , chiefs...with view bettering of condition of our country , people, day cede national africa company (limited), heirs , assigns, forever, whole of our territory...we give said national african company (limited) full power settle native disputes arising cause whatever, , pledge ourselves not enter war other tribes without sanction of said national africa company (limited).

we understand said national african company (limited) have full power mine, farm, , build in portion of our territory. bind ourselves not have intercourse strangers or foreigners except through said national african company (limited), , give said national african company (limited) full power exclude other strangers , foreigners territory @ discretion.

in consideration of foregoing, said national african company (limited) bind not interfere of native laws or customs of country, consistently maintenance of order , government...[and] agree pay native owners of land reasonable amount portion may require.

the said national african company (limited) bind protect said king , chiefs attacks of neighbouring tribes (ibid.).

the company considered sole legitimate government of area, executive, legislative, , judicial powers subordinate rule of council created company board of directors in london. council headed governor. deputy governor served political administrator company s territory, , appointed 3 officials in nigeria carry out work of administration. these agent general, senior judicial officer, , commandant of constabulary. however, company did accept local emirs act partners in governance , trade. therefore hired native intermediaries conduct diplomacy, trade, , intelligence work in local area.

the company, common among european businesses in africa, paid native workers in barter. @ turn of century, top wages 4 bags of salt (company retail price, 3s 9d) month of work. trade conducted through mechanism of barter , credit. goods made available on credit african middlemen, expected trade them @ pre-arranged price , deliver proceeds company. company s major imports area included gin , low-quality firearms.

by 1880s, national african company became dominant commercial power, increasing 19 39 stations between 1882 , 1993. in 1886, taubman secured aroyal charter , company became royal niger company. charter allowed company collect customs , make treaties local leaders.

under goldie s direction, royal niger company instrumental in depriving france , germany of access region. consequently, may deserve epithet father of nigeria, historians accorded him. laid basis british claims.

the royal niger company had own armed forces. included river fleet used retaliatory attacked on uncooperative villages.

britain s imperialistic posture became more aggressive towards end of century. appointment of joseph chamberlain colonial secretary in 1895 marked shift towards new territorial ambitions of british empire. economically, local colonial administrators pushed imposition of british colonial rule, believing trade , taxation conducted in british pounds prove far more lucrative barter trade yielded inconsistent customs duties.