AN ASSESSMENT OF BRITISH RULE AND TRADITIONAL GOVERNANCE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

Nigeria's traditional governance structures were significantly and drastically altered by British colonialism. Before the advent of colonialism, Nigeria was a collection of ethnic groups, each sovereign in its own right, governed by different indigenous systems which has continued to generate scholarly attention. This study investigated the historical impact of British colonial rule on Nigeria’s traditional governance systems, with a view to exploring how colonial administrative practices disrupted indigenous political structures and influenced post-independence governance. Descriptive designwas employed. Data were interviews conducted to 5 key informants, which were purposively selected. Secondary data, namely, historical documents, colonial administrative reports, post-independence Nigerian government records, scholarly literature, and relevant case studies from other African nationswere consulted. Planned Behaviour by Icek Ajzen served as the framework. Data were subjected to qualitative analysis. British colonial policies significantly disrupted Nigeria’s traditional governance systems. The imposed structures served colonial interests rather than local development, leading to political instability, and the erosion of indigenous authority. The legacy of colonialism persists in today’sNigeria, leading to inter-ethnic distrust and weakened traditional institutions that struggle to integrate indigenous values with modern administrative models. The findings underscored understanding of colonial legacies in Africa,highlighting the need for governance reforms that recognise and integrate traditional systems into contemporary state structures.