The Native Authority system of local administration was introduced by the British in Nigeria to

The Native Authority system of local administration was introduced by the British in Nigeria to empower traditional rulers. The system was designed to retain the existing traditional structure of governance in the North, while using it to serve British colonial interests. The British recognized the authority of traditional rulers and appointed them as Native Authorities to oversee the administration of their respective communities. The Native Authorities were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and implementing colonial policies at the local level. Thus, the system was a means of indirect rule, where traditional rulers were given limited powers to govern their people on behalf of the colonial authorities.