Who introduced the system of indirect rule in Nigeria?
Frederick Lugard
The ideological underpinnings, as well as the practical application, of indirect rule in Uganda and Nigeria is usually traced to the work of Frederick Lugard, the High Commissioner of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria from 1899 to 1906.
What’s indirect rule system?
What is indirect rule? It is a system of administration used by the British colonial government to govern the people through the use of traditional rulers and traditional political institutions.

What are the reasons for indirect rule system in Nigeria?
Below are some of the reasons why indirect rule succeeded in the North:
- Autocratic Nature of the Emirs.
- Submissiveness of the people.
- Centralized nature of the North.
- Lack of educated elites to oppose the system.
- Pre-existing tax system in the North.
- Preservation of the culture and religion of the people.
What were the features of indirect rule?
Features of Indirect Rule System
- Traditional rulers and chiefs were used in governing the people;
- The traditional political system of government in place was utilized;
- The customs and traditions ofthe people played a significant role in the administration;
What are the major characteristics of indirect rule?

Features of Indirect Rule System The customs and traditions ofthe people played a significant role in the administration; The cultural values of the people were respected by the British officials; The British officials were to guide and where need be, enforce colonial regulation.
What are the problems of indirect rule in Nigeria?
One of the disadvantages of Indirect Rule is that some of the African chiefs became authoritarian in their approach to local governance. This was because the colonial masters had bestowed on them more powers than would otherwise have been accorded them under their tradition.
What are the features of indirect rule system?
What are the reasons of indirect rule?
The Meaning of Indirect Rule.
How successful was the policy of indirect rule in Nigeria?
Indirect rule succeeded in northern Nigeria because there was already in existence a native judicial system. The Emirs in northern Nigeria operated a court system where criminals were tried and if found guilty, convicted. This was the very system Lord Lugard adopted and reformed.
Why was indirect rule system successful?
What are the key features of indirect rule?
Under the system of indirect rule, native authorities were created across the various colonies. The Native Authority was made up of the paramount chief, sub-chiefs and a Council of Elders.
Why did indirect rule failed in Nigeria?
Decentralized nature of government: One of the major reasons why indirect rule failed in the the east was because of the decentralized system of government in the east. Apparently, the east was made up of majorly Igbo, and the precolonial political system of the igbos was democratic in nature.