IMPACT OF COLONIAL ADMINSTRATION IN NIGERIA
Colonial administration in Nigeria and West Africa has both positive and negative
impacts.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
1. Introduction of Modern Ideas of Government: The political culture of liberal
democracy is introduced. The people now have certain opportunity of writing
down their constitution. The introduction of elections through the ballot and the
changes from monarchy to republicanism is a result of colonialism.
2. Development of civil service: The civil services of the colonies were developed
and made uniform with those of the colonial masters.
3. Development of political parties: Many parties were established as a result of
the introduction of elective principles. These political parties also championed the
struggle for independence.
4. Introduction of money currency and establishment of banks: This replaced
trade by barter and the cumbersome currency of iron bars and cowries in 1912,
the first silver coins were introduced by the British and the West African
currency Board set up to supply currency to British West African colonies. The
colonies Bank was also established in 1917.
5. Establishment of trade relations: West African countries established trade
relations with their formal colonial masters. British and France are the major
trading partner with their respective former colonies in West Africa.
6. Common languages and legal system: Colonialism promoted the development
of common languages among colonial territories. English language for
Anglophone countries and French for Francophone countries. The British
language and legal system were also introduced. These legal systems were
improvements on the African traditional legal system.
7. Exposure to Western Education: The colonialists built schools and colleges in
their colonies which enabled most Africans to acquire western education. The
knowledge of English and French languages helped West Africans to
communicate with the world outside.
8. Development of modern transportation seaports, airways, roads, bridges and
communication facilities constructed by colonial masters.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS
1. Economic development and exploitation: colonial government exploited their
colonies by taking over their economic wealth through their economic policies
with their former colonies. They dictated what were produced and exported and
imported.
2. Colonialism creates problem of unity: colonial rule has divided the countries of
West Africa into two major groups – English speaking and French speaking
countries. This is one of the problems facing ECOWAS.
3. Cultural imperialism: Colonialism imposed foreign cultures on the people of
West Africa and forced them to imbibe alien cultures. Names were changed,
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languages abandoned, traditional cultural ways relegated and all things foreign
deemed better than local ones.
Introduction of slave trade, deportation and humiliation of Africa leaders.
Alienation of the people from government
The type of education introduced by the colonial imperialists qualified them
to become low rank officers in the civil service. This slowed down the economic,
social, educational and political development of West Africa.