The British amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was primarily motivated by
Answer Details
The British amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was primarily motivated by economic considerations, particularly the need to make the Northern Protectorate financially viable. At that time, the Northern Protectorate of Nigeria was running at a financial deficit, as it was significantly less economically vibrant compared to the Southern Protectorate, which enjoyed a booming trade, particularly in palm oil and other natural resources.
By merging the two regions, the British colonial administration sought to use the surpluses from the economically prosperous south to offset the costs of administering the north. This fusion was not driven by the aim of promoting cultural unity or responding to nationalist influences, as cultural and political unity were not priorities for the British. Moreover, the League of Nations did not play any role in this decision, as it had not yet been established (it was formed in 1920).
Thus, the primary reason for the amalgamation was to increase administrative efficiency and reduce the financial burden on the British government by creating a more economically self-sustaining colony. This move allowed for a centralized administration, which in turn facilitated the easier extraction of resources and management of the colony.