African States on the Eve of Colonial Rule: A Case of Ilorin Emirate at the End of Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The British had already laid claim to Lagos, when towards the end of 19th century they were trying to ‘pacify’ the other areas that were to be later known as Nigeria. As a matter of fact, the European powers had been trading in some of the kingdoms in the Nigerian area before they felt it was time to impose their hegemony on them. Diplomacy was first adopted and force was only an adoption of last resort in most of the kingdoms or mini-states conquered. Ilorin , an emirate under the Sokoto Caliphate had its own established political and administrative system before the British came calling. The emirate’s administrative system, her war and diplomacy with her neighbours as well as her diplomatic relations with the British and the events that eventually led to the conquest of this African state by this European power later in 1897 are what this paper sets out to explore. Both written sources: primary and secondary as well as oral sources are to be utilized in this research.