The signing of protectorate treaty was used by the Europeans to penetrate

In 1885 the Oil Rivers Protectorate was proclaimed covering the present Nigerian coast and territories from it as far as Lokoja and the River Benue. In order to provide for the territories farther north, in 1886, Taubman's company was given a Royal Charter authorizing it to act as a government in those places with which it had treaties. The company's name was changed to the ''Royal Niger Company'' and in 1887 the British Government proclaimed a protectorate over the areas that the company administered.