This was an unpopular question to the candidates and the few ones who attempted it did not answer it correctly. Those who attempted this question poorly handled it and misinterpreted it. A Few candidates emphasized the activities of the Royal Niger Company in agriculture to the neglect of the roles they played in securing Nigeria for Britain. In order to score good marks, candidates were expected to explain the following points.

(i)         Promotion of palm oil trade between Nigeria and Britain during the Industrial Revolution;
(ii)        the company opened up different trading stations e.g. Onitsha, Bonny,
Akassa, Lokoja, Warri, etc which became important trading centres for Britain;
(iii)       the company helped to pave the way for missionary’s enterprise e.g.  western education;
(iv)       the British system of administrative policy was introduced to Nigerians;
(v)        on behalf of the British government, the company administrator (Goldie Tubman) secured British control of the coast and interior of Nigeria.