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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Ilorin-Lagos Relations in the Nineteenth Century: A Study of British Imperial Struggle in Yorubaland
Author:Apata, Z.O.
Year:1991
Periodical:Transafrican Journal of History (ISSN 0251-0391)
Volume:20
Pages:145-160
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:Nigeria
Great Britain
West Africa
Subjects:colonial conquest
multinational enterprises
Ilorin polity
history
traditional polities
History and Exploration
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
colonialism
Urbanization and Migration
Imperialism, Colonialism
imperialism
Colonial countries
Yoruba (African people)
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/24520307
Abstract:This paper discusses an aspect of imperial struggle in Yorubaland (Nigeria) in the late 19th century. This struggle stemmed from the strained relationship between Ilorin and Lagos on the one hand, and the Royal Niger Company on the other. The Lagos government wanted to incorporate Ilorin into Lagos colony for three reasons: 1) Ilorin was geographically contiguous and thus would be relatively easily administered from Lagos; 2) Since Ilorin was predominantly Yoruba, it was felt that Ilorin should be merged with Lagos colony, which was also thickly populated by Yoruba people; 3) There was a need to check the expansionist policy of Ilorin which was injurious to the trading and commercial interests of Lagos. While the Lagos government wanted to control Ilorin, the Royal Niger Company considered the Ilorin Emirate as falling under its sphere of influence by virtue of the 1885 treaty signed with Gwandu and Sokoto, and resisted every move made by the Lagos government to incorporate Ilorin. The Lagos government and the Royal Niger Company had the backing of the Colonial Office and Foreign Office respectively. This study therefore presents a peculiar situation whereby two representatives of the British imperial government were engaged in competitive struggle in Yorubaland. It was only when Ilorin was defeated by the Royal Niger Company on 16 February 1897 that British control was effectively established in the region. Bibliogr., notes.
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