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Difficulty: EasyIndirect Rule System in Northern Nigeria

Arrange the administrative positions under the Indirect Rule system in Northern Nigeria in descending order of authority, from highest to lowest.

  1. 1Resident
  2. 2District Officer
  3. 3Emir
  4. 4Village Head

Answer

The correct order of administrative authority from highest to lowest is Resident, District Officer, Emir, and Village Head.
Under Indirect Rule in Northern Nigeria, political power was arranged hierarchically with British officials holding supreme authority over local rulers. The Resident served as the senior British administrator for a province, followed by the District Officer supervising local districts. Below these British officers was the Emir, acting as the Native Authority, and finally the Village Head at the base of local governance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the highest colonial administrator at the provincial level
The Resident occupies the top position in provincial governance.
In the indirect rule system, British political officers maintained supreme supervisory authority over traditional rulers within each province.
2
Identify the colonial official assisting the Resident at the district level
The District Officer is placed second.
District Officers carried out administrative supervision under the guidance of the Resident.
3
Identify the recognized traditional ruler executing executive functions
The Emir is placed third.
The Emir served as the Native Authority executing local administrative and judicial powers subject to British oversight.
4
Identify the grass-roots administrative official
The Village Head is placed fourth.
Village Heads operated at the community level, assisting with tax collection and maintaining local order under the Emirate structure.

Key Concept

Colonial Administrative Hierarchy in Northern Nigeria
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Topics

Indirect Rule System in Northern Nigeria