British Rule in Lagos: A Multifaceted Lens


The British presence in Lagos, stretching from 1861 to 1960, was a multifaceted phenomenon brimming with progress and exploitation, opportunity and dispossession. Understanding its lasting impact necessitates examining both sides of the coin.

From Trading Post to Colonial Capital:

The initial foray, driven by the desire to suppress the slave trade, culminated in the 1861 annexation of Lagos through the infamous Lagos Treaty of Cession. Early colonial rule focused on transforming Lagos into a thriving port city, laying the groundwork for its future economic prominence. Projects like the Eko Bridge symbolized both expansion and the growing integration of Lagos into the British imperial network.

This growth, however, wasn't without its costs. While exports like palm oil and cocoa boomed, often enriching European merchants, local farmers and traders were often unfairly squeezed, forced to navigate an uneven playing field.


Read more about the history of Lagos