Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3 / JS3)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: British Colonial Rule and Administration
Previous Lesson: British Conquest Of Nigeria: Explorers, Traders, Treaties, Wars And Local Authorities.
Topic: THE PROTECTORATES OF BRITAIN IN NIGERIA: LAGOS Lagos Colony
Subject Matter: How Lagos Colony came about, key dates and historical maps of Lagos Colony, leadership and who was in charge, administrative structure of Lagos Colony under British rule.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Explain how Lagos Colony was established.
Identify key dates related to the establishment of Lagos Colony.
Describe the leadership structure of Lagos Colony under British rule.
Outline the administrative structure of Lagos Colony.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the historical reasons for British presence in Lagos.
Participate actively in class discussions about colonial administration.

Psychomotor Domain:

Locate Lagos on a historical map of Nigeria.
Draw a simple diagram illustrating the administrative structure of the colony.

Collaborate with peers during map-based identification activities.
Engage respectfully in discussions about historical events.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for History.
Lagos State Unified Scheme of Work for History JSS 3.
Adediran, A. (2018). Comprehensive History for Junior Secondary Schools Book 3. University Press PLC.
Online historical archives and educational websites.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

History textbooks and workbooks.
Historical maps of Lagos and Nigeria.
Whiteboard or chalkboard.
Markers or chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand an important part of Nigeria’s history, specifically how British colonial rule began in Lagos. Understanding these origins helps pupils to better grasp the foundation of modern Nigerian governance and society.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a general understanding of early European contact with African states and some knowledge of pre-colonial Nigerian societies.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE PROTECTORATES OF BRITAIN IN NIGERIA: LAGOS COLONY

Establishment of Lagos Colony

A colony is a territory governed by a foreign power.

Lagos became a British colony on 6th August 1861, when King Dosunmu (Docemo) of Lagos signed a treaty with the British Consul, William McCoskry, ceding Lagos to the British Crown. This event marked the beginning of formal British colonial rule in Nigeria.

The following are reasons for the British annexation of Lagos:

To suppress the transatlantic slave trade which was still active in the region.
To protect British trade and commercial interests in the Bight of Benin.
To resolve internal political disputes and succession crises in Lagos, particularly between King Dosunmu and his rival, Kosoko.
To provide a strategic base for further British expansion and influence in the interior.

Leadership and Administrative Structure of Lagos Colony

The administration of Lagos Colony was under the direct control of the British government, represented by various officials.

The leadership of Lagos Colony typically involved a Governor who was the highest authority.

The administrative structure of Lagos Colony under British rule generally included:

The Governor: The chief executive and administrative head of the colony, appointed by the British Crown. He was responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and implementing British policies.
Legislative Council: An advisory body that assisted the Governor in making laws for the colony. It comprised official members (British administrators) and a few unofficial members (initially British merchants, later some educated Africans).
Executive Council: Another advisory body that assisted the Governor in the day-to-day administration of the colony.
Judiciary: A system of courts (e.g., Supreme Court, Police Magistrates’ Courts) was established to administer British law.
Police Force: Created to enforce laws and maintain public order.
Native Administration: In some areas, traditional rulers were sometimes used to assist in local administration, especially in areas outside the immediate Lagos Island, but under strict British supervision.

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, reviews the previous lesson briefly, and introduces the new topic by asking pupils if they know how Lagos became a part of Nigeria or when the British first took control of any part of Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings and questions, showing readiness for the new lesson.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and connect it to prior knowledge.

Step 2: Establishment of Lagos Colony

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of a colony and details how Lagos became a British Colony in 1861, mentioning King Dosunmu and the treaty. The teacher uses a historical map to point out Lagos.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the map, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the historical event and date of Lagos’s annexation.

Step 3: Reasons for Annexation

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various reasons behind the British decision to annex Lagos, such as the suppression of slave trade, protection of trade, and local political interventions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, ask questions, and note down the reasons.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the motivations behind British colonial expansion in Lagos.

Step 4: Leadership of Lagos Colony

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains who was in charge of Lagos Colony under British rule, focusing on the role of the Governor as the primary leader.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, identify the key leadership figures, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the main leadership position in the colonial administration of Lagos.

Step 5: Administrative Structure

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Description/Diagramming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher describes the administrative structure of Lagos Colony, detailing the functions of the Legislative Council, Executive Council, Judiciary, and Police Force. The teacher may draw a simple diagram on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask clarifying questions, and copy the administrative structure into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how Lagos Colony was governed.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define the term ‘colony’.
When did Lagos officially become a British Colony?
Mention two reasons why the British annexed Lagos.
Who was the highest authority in Lagos Colony under British rule?
State two components of the administrative structure of Lagos Colony.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the establishment, reasons for annexation, and administrative structure of Lagos Colony. The teacher assigns homework: “Research one early British Governor of Lagos Colony and write a short paragraph about his role.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of the lesson and prepare for further learning.

Lesson Keywords

Colony – A territory governed by a foreign power.
Annexation – The act of taking control of a territory and adding it to one’s own country or domain.
Governor – The chief executive and administrative head of a colony, appointed by the colonial power.
Legislative Council – An advisory body that assisted the Governor in making laws for a colony.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research more details about the local resistance to British annexation. For pupils needing extra support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or focus on key dates and definitions, allowing for peer tutoring.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have access to relevant historical maps to effectively demonstrate the geographical context of Lagos Colony. Encourage pupils to ask questions and relate the historical events to present-day Lagos where appropriate.