Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: Colonial History of Nigeria
Previous Lesson: Benin in the 19th Century: Abolition of Slave Trade and Political Crisis.
Topic: THE FIRST PHASE OF BRITISH CONQUEST 1851-1900
Subject Matter: Meaning of British conquest (military and political takeover by Britain), occupation of Lagos, British conquest of Benin, other interior of Yoruba land

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define British conquest.
Describe the British occupation of Lagos.
Explain the British conquest of Benin.
Identify other areas of Yoruba land conquered by the British during this phase.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the impact of British conquest on Nigerian societies.
Show interest in understanding the historical events leading to Nigeria’s colonial past.

Psychomotor Domain:

Locate on a map the areas conquered by the British during the first phase.
Draw a simple timeline showing key events of the conquest.

Discuss the reasons behind British conquest in Nigeria.
Participate in group discussions about local resistance to British expansion.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Adekunle, T. (2010). History for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press PLC.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Maps of Nigeria showing pre-colonial states and colonial expansion.
Pictures depicting British conquest scenes and local resistance.
Charts illustrating timelines of key events.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how Nigeria came under British colonial rule. It enables them to trace the early stages of British military and political expansion, which shaped the country’s history and current geopolitical structure.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have prior knowledge of the various pre-colonial states and empires in Nigeria.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE FIRST PHASE OF BRITISH CONQUEST 1851-1900

Meaning of British Conquest

British conquest refers to the military and political takeover of various territories in Nigeria by the British Empire. This involved using military force to subdue local rulers and establish British control, often leading to the declaration of protectorates or colonies.

The Occupation of Lagos (1851-1861)

The British interest in Lagos was primarily driven by the desire to suppress the slave trade and promote legitimate trade. Key events include:

1851 Bombardment: The British bombarded Lagos, leading to the overthrow of Oba Kosoko and the installation of Oba Akitoye, who was more amenable to British influence.
1861 Annexation: Lagos was formally annexed as a British colony. This marked the beginning of direct British rule in Nigeria.

British Conquest of Benin (1897)

The Kingdom of Benin, known for its rich culture and resistance to foreign interference, was conquered in 1897. Reasons for the conquest included:

Economic Interests: British desire to control Benin’s rich resources, particularly palm oil and rubber.
Punitive Expedition: Following the killing of a British delegation led by Consul-General James Phillips, the British launched a large-scale military expedition against Benin City.
Outcome: Benin City was captured, looted, and burned. Oba Ovonramwen was exiled, and the kingdom was brought under British control.

Conquest of other Yoruba Interior Lands

After the occupation of Lagos, the British gradually extended their influence into the Yoruba hinterland, often under the guise of mediating conflicts between warring Yoruba states. This led to:

Imposition of Treaties: British officials coerced various Yoruba rulers into signing treaties that ceded their sovereignty.
Military Interventions: British forces intervened in internal Yoruba wars, such as the Ekitiparapo War (Kiriji War), to establish their authority.
Establishment of Protectorates: By the late 19th century, most of Yorubaland had fallen under British control, leading to the formation of the Lagos Colony and Protectorate. Examples of conquered areas include Abeokuta, Ibadan, and Ijebu-Ode.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall some major pre-colonial Nigerian states or empires they have learned about previously.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning various pre-colonial states like Oyo Empire, Benin Kingdom, Kanem-Bornu, etc.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge, linking it to the new topic.

Step 2: Meaning of British Conquest

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of British conquest as a military and political takeover, emphasizing the use of force and treaties.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of British conquest.

Step 3: The Occupation of Lagos (1851-1861)

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the events leading to the bombardment and annexation of Lagos, pointing out Lagos on a map and showing relevant pictures.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the map and pictures, taking notes on the key dates and events.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the British acquisition of Lagos and its significance.

Step 4: British Conquest of Benin (1897)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the reasons for the British conquest of Benin, detailing the 1897 punitive expedition and its consequences, using relevant visuals.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils describe the events and consequences of the Benin conquest based on the teacher’s explanation.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the conquest of Benin and its historical context.

Step 5: Conquest of other Yoruba Interior Lands

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Mapping
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses how the British gradually extended their influence into other parts of Yorubaland, mentioning examples like Ijebu-Ode and Ibadan, and locating them on the map.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify these areas on the map and contribute to a brief discussion on the methods used.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of the broader British expansion in Yorubaland.

Step 6: Discussion on Reasons and Impact

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Facilitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a brief discussion on the general reasons behind British conquest (e.g., economic, political) and its immediate impact on the affected Nigerian societies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their thoughts on the reasons and impacts, contributing to the discussion.
Learning Point: Pupils analyze the motives and consequences of the British conquest.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What does British conquest mean in the context of Nigerian history?
State two key events in the British occupation of Lagos.
Explain the main reason for the British conquest of Benin in 1897.
Mention two other areas in Yorubaland that were conquered by the British during this phase.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating how the British established their early presence in Nigeria. The teacher then assigns homework, asking pupils to research local resistance movements during this period.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

Conquest – The act of taking control of a country or group of people by force.
Occupation – The control of a country or area by a foreign military power.
Annexation – The act of adding a territory to one’s own territory by appropriation.
Protectorate – A state that is controlled and protected by another.
Punitive Expedition – A military journey undertaken to punish a group of people who have been perceived as disobedient.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research primary sources related to the conquest. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and more direct guidance during map work and picture analysis.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to use clear and accurate maps to help pupils visualize the geographical extent of the British conquest. Encourage pupils to discuss the perspectives of both the British and the local Nigerian communities during this period to foster critical thinking.