Modern Nigeria emerged from a long period of British colonial rule that fundamentally reshaped political authority and state institutions. Between the late nineteenth century and independence in 1960, Britain constructed systems of governance and security designed to conquer territory, suppress resistance and protect imperial interests. These systems did not disappear with independence. Instead, they became the foundation of the Nigerian state. Understanding this history provides essential context for Nigeria’s post-colonial governance, security challenges and the role of force in political authority.
Colonial Conquest and the Establishment of Authority
British rule in Nigeria was established through a combination of military campaigns and administrative control. The 1897 expedition against Benin and the 1903 defeat of the Sokoto Caliphate dismantled existing political systems and replaced them with colonial administration. These events marked the consolidation of British power across large parts of the territory.
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Military conquest was followed by the permanent presence of armed forces and administrators. Authority rested not on popular consent but on the capacity to enforce compliance. This reliance on force shaped the character of governance from the outset and influenced how power was exercised throughout the colonial period.
The Development of Colonial Policing
Policing in Nigeria began with the annexation of Lagos in 1861. Early police units were small, heavily armed and organised along paramilitary lines. As colonial control expanded, regional police forces emerged in different parts of the country. In 1930, these forces were merged into a single Nigeria Police Force under central control.
Colonial policing focused on enforcing taxation, labour regulations and administrative directives. Police officers were deployed to suppress protests, enforce compliance and maintain order. Their role was closely tied to the objectives of the colonial state rather than the protection of local communities.
The 1949 shooting of striking coal miners at Enugu illustrated the coercive nature of colonial policing. The deaths of workers during the incident intensified nationalist opposition and exposed the gap between colonial authority and public welfare.
Indirect Rule and Centralised Administration
British governance relied heavily on indirect rule, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Traditional rulers were incorporated into the colonial system and governed on behalf of the colonial state. While this approach reduced administrative costs, it concentrated power and limited accountability to local populations.
District officers exercised wide authority, often combining executive and judicial functions. Decision-making flowed from the top down, and political participation was tightly controlled. This system reinforced a political culture in which authority was associated with command and enforcement rather than representation and consent.
Colonial Military Institutions
Alongside policing, Britain maintained military formations to support colonial administration and protect imperial interests. Units such as the West African Frontier Force were structured around discipline, hierarchy and obedience. Their primary purpose was internal security and territorial control.
As independence approached, Nigerians increasingly occupied officer positions within the military. However, the institutional culture remained shaped by colonial priorities, emphasising order and state preservation. These characteristics influenced the military’s role in the post-independence period.
Independence and Institutional Continuity
At independence in 1960, Nigeria inherited a centralised state and security institutions designed for control. The Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army became national institutions, but their organisational structures and operational practices changed slowly.
Early civilian governments faced intense political competition, regional tensions and administrative challenges. Security institutions were frequently drawn into political disputes, weakening civilian authority and deepening public mistrust. The inherited systems proved ill-suited to managing political conflict in a democratic setting.
Military Rule and the Concentration of Power
The military coup of January 1966 marked the beginning of prolonged military involvement in Nigerian politics. Over the following decades, military governments ruled for extended periods, suspending constitutions and governing through decrees.
Military regimes centralised authority and relied on coercive power to maintain control. These practices reflected both post-independence political struggles and institutional traditions rooted in the colonial period. The emphasis on hierarchy, discipline and command found continuity in military governance.
Policing and State–Citizen Relations
Post-colonial policing continued to face legitimacy challenges. The police remained centrally controlled and closely aligned with political authority. For many citizens, interactions with law enforcement reflected enforcement and coercion rather than protection and service.
Efforts to reform policing have continued over the years, but the historical relationship between the state and its security institutions has left a lasting imprint on public trust and governance.
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British colonial rule shaped Nigeria’s political and security institutions in lasting ways. Militarised policing, centralised authority and governance through force were embedded during the colonial period and carried into the post-independence state. While Nigeria’s later political leaders made their own choices, they did so within institutional frameworks inherited from colonial rule.
The influence of colonial militarisation remains visible in Nigeria’s governance and security structures. Understanding this history is essential for meaningful discussions about reform, accountability and democratic consolidation in contemporary Nigeria.
Author’s Note
Nigeria’s modern state did not begin with independence. Its foundations were laid during colonial rule, when authority was enforced through militarised policing and centralised power. These structures shaped how governance evolved after 1960 and continue to influence state–citizen relations today. The central lesson is that addressing current challenges requires confronting the historical roots of power, security and authority in Nigeria.
References
Falola, T. History of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press.
Ahire, P. Imperial Policing and Colonial Control in Nigeria.
History of Nigeria and Military Regimes.
