Historical Jurisdiction
British West Africa or the British West African Settlements constituted during two periods (17 October 1821 until its first dissolution on 13 January 1850 and again 19 February 1866 till its final demise on 24 November 1888) an administrative entity under a governor-in-chief (comparable in rank to a Governor-general), an office vested in the governor of Sierra Leone (at Freetown).
The various colonies were established to aid the efforts of the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron wresting of control from various polities' resources, cultures, and highly profitable exports. Coaling stations and depots were built in the coastal villages and because many people lost their lands, businesses, and livelihoods, low wage jobs that were created as a result of resource exploitation were all that was left for many from the local population. Consequently, regional immigrants looking to start a new life joined the population, adding to the expansion of preexisting existing cities and villages.
The other colonies originally included in the jurisdiction were the Gambia and the British Gold Coast (modern Ghana). Nigeria as a whole never was, but since the re-constitution in 1866 its nucleus, Lagos territory, was.
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