Advantages and Disadvantages of Amalgamation in Nigeria

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The discussion of the history of Nigeria cannot be complete without

talking about the amalgamation of Nigeria. The amalgamation remains a

significant phase in the history of Nigeria and you will find out why

in this article. This article discusses the amalgamation, its

advantages as well as disadvantages.









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Advantages and Disadvantages of Amalgamation in Nigeria







Read on below:





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How it all began



What is referred to as Southern Nigeria back then was a British

protectorate in the coastal areas of modern-day Nigeria. Southern

Nigeria was formed in 1900 from the union of the Niger Coast

Protectorate with territories below Lokoja on the Niger River.



As of 1861, Lagos was already an area that was already controlled by

the colonial masters and it was known as the Lagos colony.



The oil-producing states known as southern Nigeria and the North has

also been turned to dependent territories under the British powers.

This means that there were 3 Colonies namely Lagos Colony, Northern

Protectorate, and the Southern Protectorate.







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However, in 1906, Walter Egerton, the then Governor-general merged

Lagos colony with the Southern protectorate to form a new colony,

Southern Nigeria, and the Lagos colony was then officially renamed the

Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria. This action reduced the

colonies into 2 namely; Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern

Nigeria Protectorate.



In 1912, Egerton was replaced by Frederick Lugard, who was appointed

Governor-General of both Southern and Northern Nigeria and was given

the mandate to unite the two colonies. This was Lugard’s mission on

return to Nigeria; to complete the amalgamation of all into one

colony. Although this action was controversial in Lagos, where it was

opposed by a large section of the political class and the media, the

amalgamation did not arouse any major interest in the rest of the

country.



The two colonies continued until May 9, 1913, when lord Lugard

submitted his proposal to bring together the two protectorates to the

British government. His dream came to reality on the 1st of January,

1914 when his proposal was approved. Thus, the two territories were

joined to become one. After the amalgamation of the Southern and

Northern protectorate, there was nothing like the northern and

southern Nigeria Protectorate with different policies and laws, what

we now had was the northern and southern provinces which conform to

same policies such as one railway policy, one administration while its

central headquarter was located in Lagos. The now amalgamated

territory was headed by a single officer called Governor-General who

was assisted by lieutenant governors and colony administrators who

were all appointed by the British government.



From the 1st of January 1914 till the 8th of August 1919, Frederick

Lord Lugard was made Governor-General of the now combined Colony of

Nigeria. He believed in military rule and his administration was

autocratic. He spent only 6 months each year in Nigeria. The remaining

half of the year met him in England







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Reasons for the Amalgamation



There is no question whatsoever that the amalgamation of the Northern

and Southern protectorate was all in favor of the British government.

It was basically due to economic reasons. Bear in mind that Nigeria

was not independent as at then. Before the amalgamation, the Southern

Protectorate at the time, generated more than enough revenue for its

territory due to its proximity to the sea while the Northern

Protectorate did not generate just enough. The British government had

seen that if things went on the way they did, they will have no choice

but to use their money to sustain the Northern Territory.



While the North offered lands, minerals, and people, the South had an

abundance of enterprising citizens and had access to the oceans.

However, it did not have the diversity of lands and climes that the

North offered. Therefore, by amalgamating the Northern and Southern

protectorates, the British government could integrate the contrasting

benefits that the two protectorates offered. The surplus from the

southern Protectorate could be used to offset the deficit of the

Northern Protectorate. However, that could not be done if the two

territories were not amalgamated.



Hence, the top reason for amalgamation was the maximum profit and

administrative convenience of the British government. In truth, what

Lugard and the entire British government saw in Nigeria over a century

ago has not changed. In fact, Nigeria has become a much more viable

proposition. The North has way beyond Tin and Columbite, it also has

lands and huge reserves of Iron ore, Tantalite, etc. The South, on the

other hand, has an abundance of Oil and Gas, Bitumen and Gold, in

addition to Coal.



Disadvantages of the Amalgamation



The first disadvantage of the amalgamation of Nigeria is found in the

aftermath, years after. The debate over if the amalgamation achieved a

unification of the people of Nigeria, arguably it just didn’t. After

the amalgamation, Nigeria has witnessed the civil war or the Biafra

war, Niger Delta Militant rebellion, Boko Haram insurgency, terrorism

from within its own territory, and so on. When you ask why? Chief

Obafemi Awolowo’s answer might suffice, “the name Nigeria is a

geographical expression and not a single country.†Lord Lugard was

able to amalgamate Northern and Southern territories but not the

people. Nigerians remain one of the most tribalistic people,

identifying only with their own tribe and discriminating against the

other.



Advantages of Amalgamation



Nonetheless, the Amalgamation of Nigeria has its positive sides. The

amalgamation led to the development of independence which was later

granted in 1960.



The amalgamation of Nigeria also made it possible for everyone across

the country to enjoy benefits across territories. For example, cheap

livestock and other agricultural produce from the North, Crude oil not

being more expensive in the North, Hide and Skin made available in

Lagos, etc. Each region has its own strength and if not for the

amalgamation, each territory would have had to struggle with its

deficits alone.







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The amalgamation also made it possible for equal rights of employment

anywhere in the country, equal rights to residency, common laws, and

electoral system, etc.





























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