British Anti-Slave-Trade Bases Established at Lagos

Background. British anti-slave-trade operations in West Africa intensified through the West Africa Squadron, which pursued slave ships and imposed treaties with coastal chiefs. In Lagos, pressure from liberated slaves and British interests led to the 1851 Reduction of Lagos, deposing Oba Kosoko. This event installed Oba Akitoye, who signed a treaty in 1852, initiating a Consular Period where Britain provided military protection to Lagos.

Treaty Negotiations. In July 1861, Acting Consul William McCoskry and Commander Bedingfield convened a meeting with Oba Dosunmu aboard HMS Prometheus, where Britain's intent was explained and a response to the terms was required by August 1861. Dosunmu, facing the threat of military bombardment, agreed to cede Lagos Island to the Queen of Great Britain. The treaty text explicitly aimed to end the slave trade and prevent destructive wars undertaken by Dahomey and others for the capture of slaves.

Establishment and Aftermath. The Treaty of Cession was signed on 6 August 1861, granting Britain full dominion over Lagos Island. This annexation established British bases to suppress the slave trade, which had persisted despite earlier treaties. The event marked the end of the Consular Period and the beginning of direct colonial administration, later declared a colony in 1862.