Nigerian Oil Palm Industry, 1920–1950: A Study in Imperialism

This article essentially examines the Nigerian oil palm economy in Nigeria between 1920 and 1950, using the widely accepted theory of imperialism. It argues that for the most part of the period under study, imperial and colonial governments accepted that metropolitan needs and conditions should dictate policies in the Nigerian oil palm industry. Nigeria was therefore incorporated into a vigorous extension of capitalism where its oil palm robustly serviced European industries. This was made possible through political and economic coercion, which will be articulated in this paper.