British Colonial Policy as Push Factor in Inter-Ethnic Migration in Nigeria 1893-1930

The advent of British Colonial rule in Nigeria transformed the traditional African society in a number of ways, some positive others negative. The initial policies adopted to integrate Nigerian into the British colonial system, however, proved a catalyst that triggered mass movement of people from rural to urban centers thereby creating as it were unexpected demographic dislocation. British development of communication and infrastructures such as railways and the network of road system was part of a deliberate policy to foster the growth of “legitimate trade” in the interior. The early imposition of tax regime in the Northern Protectorate induced people from the zone of taxation to migrate to tax free zones. The combination of abiding peace, agricultural export and modern communication system stimulated migration during British colonial administration in Nigeria. It is the conviction of the author that establishment of British rule had fundamental far-reaching effect on inter-ethnic mingling and migration. The paper examines the various policies of the British at the onset of colonial rule and the effect of these on inter-ethnic migration and mingling. Attempt is made to briefly define the two key words, migration and colonialism, in order to give better understanding to the work. The paper concludes that British colonial policies had profound effect on the people’s decision to leave home and migrate to zones of administrative and economic activities.