Lugard and Colonial Nigeria - Towards an Identity?
'More like sovereign heads of state than servants of the same British Crown' - the rivalry and 'diplomacy' of imperial proconsuls hampered the creation of Nigeria between 1900 and 1914.
Diplomacy is not an activity usually associated with colonies or colonial officials. By definition colonies were not sovereign states and where relations with other countries were concerned these were conducted for them by their imperial governments. Like wise the colonial official did not 'represent' his country in his colony, even when he bore a diplomatic title like that of' 'Resident' in Northern Nigeria, but rather exercised power on its behalf over people who had lost their sovereignty.
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