British West Africa: Information

British West Africa (1866 - 1888)

British West Africa was the collective name for British colonies in West Africa during the colonial period, either in the general geographical sense or more specifically those comprised in a formal colonial administrative entity. The United Kingdom held varying parts of these territories or the whole throughout the 19th century.

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 other colonies originally included in the jurisdiction were the Gambia and the British Gold Coast (modern Ghana), western Nigeria, eastern Nigeria and northern Nigeria.

Even after its final dissolution, a single currency, the British West African pound, was in effect throughout the region from 1907 to 1962.

Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Sierra Leone was self-governing by 1958 and gained independence in 1961. Gambia gained independence in 1965. In 1954, the British Gold Coast was allowed by Britain to self-govern and in 1957, the Gold Coast was given independence from Britain, under the name Ghana.

British West Africa: List of Rulers.
Reign / RuleFromToCoins Issued
Queen Victoria 13 January 1850 22 January 1901
King Edward VII 22 January 1901 6 May 1910 10
King George V 6 May 1910 20 January 1936 126
King Edward VIII 20 January 1936 11 December 1936 3
King George VI 11 December 1936 6 February 1952 72
Queen Elizabeth II 6 February 1952 5 October 1965 7
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British West Africa: Details
Official NameBritish West Africa
From1866
To1888
FlagFlag of British West Africa
WikiSee Wikipedia page
British West Africa: Currencies Used
CurrencyFromTo
British West African Pound 1907 1968