NIGERIAN ENTERPRISE 
159 
control on January 1, 1900. The British Government ac- 
quired all war materials, administrative buildings and posts, 
steamers, wharves, and other property designated for the 
public service; and it was assigned the benefits of all trea- 
ties, and of land and mining rights. The company was per- 
mitted to retain all its commercial privileges, plants, stations 
and accessories, was paid £150,000 for the rights surren- 
dered (in addition to £300,000 refunded for sums advanced 
for the development of the country), and was to receive one 
half of the mining royalties for ninety-nine years. The 
public debt of Nigeria, together with the annual interest 
charges, was assumed by the Imperial Government. Thus, 
after fourteen years of progressive and efficient service as a 
public servant, the Royal Niger Company reverted to its 
original position as a commercial enterprise. 
The whole region north of Idah on the Niger was now 
incorporated in the protectorate of northern Nigeria, and, 
together with the two protectorates of Lagos (including 
the old colony and protectorate of the same name extend- 
ing north to Borgu) and of southern Nigeria, was placed 
under the Colonial Office. Each sphere was to have its own 
commissioner, or governor, and a separate administration. 
In 1901, however, Lagos and southern Nigeria were placed 
under one administrator; and, in 1906, both were incor- 
porated into one protectorate having three provinces and 
known as southern Nigeria. The general policy of the new 
régime included free trade (except in northern Nigeria, 
where all traffic in firearms and liquors was forbidden), 
abstention from all direct taxes (for some time at least), 
abolition of slave raids, noninterference with native religions 
and customs, and rule through the cooperation of native 
rulers and chiefs. 
Colonel Lugard was appointed the first High Commis- 
sioner of northern Nigeria; and he set to work at once to