The Ijebu expedition of May 1892 was the immediate cause of the British increased pressure on the Yoruba land. Hence, the cause of the expedition was not far-fetched. They are as follows:
- The people of Ijebu-Ode closed their trade route to Lagos thereby preventing the British people from entering their city.
- They bluntly refused to admit the Christian missionaries.
- Again, Awujala antagonized the Ibadan people and refused to sign a trade treaty with the British.