Significance of the Nigerian Council of 1914

Quick Summary

• Created January 1, 1914, same day as the amalgamation of Nigeria
• First legislative body covering all of Nigeria (North and South together)
• Had 36 members: Governor-General, British officials, and a few nominated Nigerians
• Purely advisory – could not make binding laws, only discuss and advise
• Significant for introducing Nigerians to central government discussions

Background: Why the Nigerian Council Was Created

Before 1914, Nigeria was divided into two separate territories. The Northern Protectorate covered areas like Kano, Sokoto, and Zaria. The Southern Protectorate included Lagos, Calabar, Warri, and other southern regions. Each had its own government, laws, and administration. The British Colonial Office in London decided to merge these territories to reduce costs and improve administration.

Lord Frederick Lugard, who had governed the Northern Protectorate successfully, was appointed Governor-General to unite Nigeria. On January 1, 1914, he officially amalgamated the North and South into one country called Nigeria. The amalgamation meant the country needed a new central government structure.

Lugard created the Nigerian Council to serve as a central advisory body. He wanted a formal way to discuss policies affecting the whole country. Before 1914, there was no institution where issues concerning both North and South could be discussed together. The Council filled this gap.

Structure and Composition of the Nigerian Council

The Nigerian Council had 36 members in total:

Official Members (Majority)

Most members were British colonial officials holding important government positions. These included:

• The Governor-General (Lord Lugard) – Chairman of the Council
• The Lieutenant-Governor of the Southern Provinces
• The Lieutenant-Governor of the Northern Provinces
• Chief Justice
• Attorney-General
• Commandant of the Nigeria Regiment
• Directors of various government departments (Medical, Education, Public Works, etc.)
• Senior Residents from different provinces

Unofficial Members (Minority)

A small number of non-government members were nominated by the Governor-General. These included a few European businessmen and traditional Nigerian rulers. The Nigerians were usually Emirs from the North or Obas from the South who supported colonial rule.

The unofficial members had no real power. They could not vote down government proposals because official members always had the majority. The Governor-General chose only people who would not seriously challenge colonial policies.

Significance of the Nigerian Council

1. First Central Legislative Body for All Nigeria

Before 1914, there was no single institution making laws for the entire country. The Northern and Southern Protectorates had separate councils. The Nigerian Council was the first body that brought together representatives from all regions to discuss national issues. This was historically important because it treated Nigeria as one political unit.

However, the Council’s authority was limited. It could only discuss policies for the Southern Provinces. The Northern Provinces remained largely separate under Native Administration system. Still, the Council represented a symbolic step toward national unity.

2. Introduction of Nigerians to Central Government

For the first time, Nigerians sat in a central government body discussing national policies. Although they were few and had limited influence, their presence was significant. Traditional rulers like the Oba of Benin or Northern Emirs could hear government plans and express opinions.

This experience introduced Nigerian elites to modern legislative procedures. They learned how government meetings worked, how laws were debated, and how decisions were made. This knowledge became valuable later when Nigerians demanded more political participation.

3. Foundation for Future Legislative Development

The Nigerian Council set a precedent for later legislative bodies. It established the principle that Nigeria needed a central council to discuss national matters. When the Clifford Constitution replaced Lugard’s system in 1922, it built on this foundation by creating the Legislative Council with elected Nigerian members.

The Council also established some administrative procedures that continued in later institutions. The idea of having official and unofficial members, for example, appeared in subsequent constitutions.

4. Advisory Role on Important Policies

The Council advised the Governor-General on important matters like taxation, public works, education, and health services. Although the Governor-General was not bound to follow this advice, the Council provided a forum where policies could be discussed before implementation.

Government officials explained new policies to Council members, who could ask questions and suggest modifications. This made administration slightly more transparent than before, when the Governor simply issued orders without consultation.

5. Exposed Limitations of Colonial Government

The Council’s weaknesses highlighted the undemocratic nature of colonial rule. Nigerian members quickly realized they had no real power. They could talk but not vote effectively. They could advise but not command. The Governor-General could ignore their advice completely.

This frustration motivated educated Nigerians to demand real political power. The limitations of the Nigerian Council pushed nationalists to fight for genuine representative government. Herbert Macaulay and other early nationalists used the Council’s weaknesses as evidence that Nigerians needed elected representatives with actual legislative power.

6. Platform for Nigerian Elite Voices

Although few in number, Nigerian Council members could raise issues affecting their people. Traditional rulers brought concerns about land disputes, taxation problems, or conflicts between colonial law and native customs. European businessmen discussed trade and commercial policies.

The Council minutes recorded these discussions, creating an official record of Nigerian concerns. This documentation later proved useful for researchers and nationalists who wanted to understand early Nigerian political participation.

Comparison: Nigerian Council vs. Legislative Council

Feature	Nigerian Council (1914-1922)	Legislative Council (1922-1946)
Establishment	Created by Lord Lugard in 1914	Created by Clifford Constitution in 1922
Powers	Advisory only – no legislative power	Could pass laws (ordinances) for Southern Nigeria
Nigerian Members	Few nominated traditional rulers	4 elected members from Lagos and Calabar
Territory Covered	Mainly Southern Provinces (North separate)	Southern Provinces only (North still excluded)
Total Members	36 members	46 members
Election System	No elections – all nominated	Limited elections in Lagos and Calabar
Main Significance	First central body after amalgamation	First elected Nigerian representation

Limitations and Criticisms

Despite its significance, the Nigerian Council had serious weaknesses that limited its effectiveness.

No Real Legislative Power

The Council could not make binding laws. It was purely advisory. The Governor-General could listen to Council discussions, thank members for their input, then do exactly what he originally planned. This made many sessions feel like formalities rather than genuine decision-making processes.

Dominated by British Officials

With British officials holding the overwhelming majority of seats, Nigerian voices were drowned out. Even when Nigerian members raised important concerns, they could not outvote the official members. The Council essentially rubber-stamped government decisions rather than debating them critically.

Few Nigerian Members

Out of 36 members, only a handful were Nigerians. Moreover, these Nigerians were not elected by the people. The Governor-General chose traditional rulers who were loyal to British rule. Educated Nigerians like Herbert Macaulay, who criticized colonial policies, were not invited to join.

Excluded the North

Although the Council was supposed to represent all of Nigeria after amalgamation, it mainly dealt with Southern issues. The Northern Provinces operated under a separate system of indirect rule through Emirs. The Council rarely discussed Northern policies, which undermined its claim to be a national body.

No Popular Representation

Because members were nominated rather than elected, the Council did not represent ordinary Nigerians. There were no representatives for workers, farmers, traders, or the educated elite in Lagos. The traditional rulers who sat on the Council often did not voice the concerns of common people.

Why the Council Was Replaced

By the early 1920s, educated Nigerians were demanding real political participation. World War I (1914-1918) had changed many Africans’ views. Nigerian soldiers who fought for Britain in the war asked why they could fight for democracy in Europe but had no democracy at home.

The Nigerian Council’s limitations became more obvious as political awareness grew. Nationalists like Herbert Macaulay criticized it as a “talking shop” with no real power. Pressure mounted on the British government to grant Nigerians genuine representation.

Governor Hugh Clifford, who replaced Lugard in 1919, recognized these problems. He proposed a new constitution that would allow elected Nigerian representatives. The Clifford Constitution of 1922 abolished the Nigerian Council and replaced it with the Legislative Council, which had four elected Nigerian members from Lagos and Calabar.

Common Exam Mistakes

Mistake 1: Saying the Nigerian Council could make laws. This is wrong. The Council was purely ADVISORY. It could discuss and recommend, but the Governor-General made final decisions. The Legislative Council (1922-1946) was the first body with law-making powers in Nigeria.

Mistake 2: Confusing the Nigerian Council with the Legislative Council. These are different bodies created at different times. Nigerian Council (1914-1922) was advisory and had nominated members. Legislative Council (1922-1946) had law-making powers and included elected members.

Mistake 3: Claiming the Council covered all of Nigeria equally. Although created after amalgamation, the Council mainly dealt with Southern Provinces. The North remained largely separate under indirect rule through Native Authorities.

Mistake 4: Not explaining significance, just stating facts. WAEC examiners warn that students often “merely mention” points instead of explaining them. If asked about the significance of the Nigerian Council, don’t just say “it was the first central body.” EXPLAIN what this meant and why it mattered for Nigeria’s political development.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When was the Nigerian Council established?
a) January 1, 1914 ✓
b) October 1, 1914
c) January 1, 1922
d) December 31, 1913

2. Who created the Nigerian Council of 1914?
a) Governor Hugh Clifford
b) Lord Frederick Lugard ✓
c) Governor Arthur Richards
d) Sir James Robertson

3. What was the main weakness of the Nigerian Council?
a) It had too many Nigerian members
b) It could pass laws without British approval
c) It was purely advisory with no legislative power ✓
d) It excluded all British officials

4. How many members did the Nigerian Council have?
a) 23 members
b) 36 members ✓
c) 46 members
d) 50 members

Essay Questions

Question 1: Discuss FIVE significant features of the Nigerian Council of 1914. (10 marks)

Exam Tip: Discuss means explain each feature in detail. Don’t just list “first central body, advisory role…” Explain WHAT each feature was and WHY it was significant. Use separate paragraphs for each feature.

Question 2: Assess the significance of the Nigerian Council in Nigeria’s political development. (12 marks)

Exam Tip: “Assess” means evaluate both positive significance (first central body, introduced Nigerians to government, foundation for future development) AND limitations (no real power, few Nigerians, no elections). Balance your answer – don’t only praise or only criticize.

Question 3: Compare the Nigerian Council of 1914 with the Legislative Council established by the Clifford Constitution of 1922. (15 marks)

Exam Tip: “Compare” means show both similarities and differences. Use a structured approach: Introduction stating both bodies, paragraph on similarities, several paragraphs on key differences (powers, membership, representation method), and conclusion on which was more progressive.

Memory Aids

Remember the year: 1914 – Same year as amalgamation. Think “Amalgamation and Council both started together in 1914.”

Remember it was ADVISORY with “AAA”:

• Advisory only (no law-making power)
• Appointed members (not elected)
• All decisions made by Governor-General

Remember LUGARD created it:

• Lord Frederick Lugard
• United Nigeria (amalgamation)
• Governor-General
• Advisory Council
• Restricted Nigerian participation
• Dominated by British officials

Key dates:

• 1914 – Nigerian Council created
• 1922 – Replaced by Legislative Council (Clifford Constitution)
• 1946 – Richards Constitution created Regional Councils

Related Topics

• The amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914
• Lord Lugard and colonial administration in Nigeria
• The Clifford Constitution of 1922
• Development of legislative institutions in Nigeria
• Early nationalist movements in Nigeria