Warrant Chiefs were appointed to take charge of local administrations in parts of colonial Nigeria.
During the colonial period, the British established a system of indirect rule, whereby traditional rulers were appointed as intermediaries between the colonial authorities and the local population. Warrant Chiefs were appointed by the colonial administrators to serve as the chief representatives of the colonial government in their respective areas. They were responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and implementing colonial policies.
While the Warrant Chiefs were given significant powers and authority by the colonial government, they were not always accepted by the local population. Some traditional rulers resented the appointment of the Warrant Chiefs and saw them as usurping their authority. Additionally, the Warrant Chiefs were often accused of corruption and abuse of power, and their role in the colonial administration was widely criticized. The Warrant Chiefs system was eventually abolished in 1933, following widespread protests and resistance by the local population.