The Nigerian people reacted in different ways:
1. Some saw the explorers as intruders especially those that lived and traded near the coast.
2. Some suspected them to be spies and feared that the Europeans would want to take over Nigeria.
3. Some Nigerians living in the hinterland, who had never set eyes on a white person before, saw the British explorers as spirits or objects of admiration.
4. Some Nigerians were quite generous and hospitable to the Europeans e.g. the king of Patashie warmly welcomed Richard Lander and his younger brother and equally gave them two ships to sail down the Niger; Muhammed Bello of Sokoto and Shehu Al Kanemi were also good to the explorers.