Colonial Development and Welfare in Nigeria (1940-1945): Agricultural Policy

Abstract

The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 drove the British Government to mobilize economic resources. The task was not easy because in order to meet the War effort, the economic life of both Britain and her colonies had to be reorganized. Indeed, the War did not prevent British officials from taking into consideration the economic development and welfare of the colonized people by adopting a new development policy. However, such a policy was met with many difficulties due to the great need of both the fund and the personnel to promote the War effort and compelled the Colonial Government to undertake urgent measures and plan for future relations. The objective of this research paper is to examine Colonial Development and Welfare in Nigeria during the Second World War focussing on the agricultural policy.