Ibadan becomes a British protectorate

Background. The Lagos Colony served as a base for extending British jurisdiction over the hinterland. Following prolonged wars between mainland Yoruba states, the colony established a protectorate over most of Yorubaland between 1890 and 1897. Governor Gilbert Thomas Carter pursued an aggressive policy, signing treaties and forcing armies to disperse, which facilitated infrastructure development such as a railway from Lagos to Ibadan.

Treaty Signing. On 15 August 1893, acting Governor George Chardin Denton signed a protectorate agreement with Ibadan, establishing British protection over the Ibadan area. This followed earlier diplomatic efforts, including a treaty signed on 13 August 1891 placing the kingdom of Ilaro under British protection. The agreement was distinct from the earlier annexation of Lagos in 1861.

Geographic Context. Ibadan is located in southwestern Nigeria, approximately 119 kilometers northeast of Lagos. Its central location and accessibility from the capital city of Lagos were significant factors in its administrative importance. The city later became the headquarters of the Western Provinces in 1939, reflecting its strategic position within the colonial administrative structure.