Colonial Rule and Socioeconomic Changes in Ondoland, 1915-1951

Abstract

This paper is a historical analysis of the impact of colonial rule on the socio-economic development of Ondoland between 1915 and 1951. It specifically interrogates the development of native administration in Ondoland and its impact on the socio-economic life of the people. It contends that while some scholars argued that the various economic structures put in place by the colonialist were used to facilitate colonial exploitation, they contributed in no small measure to the development of Ondoland. The provision of various infrastructural facilities such as road, modern medical and educational facilities, as well as other socio-economic changes that accompanied native administration contributed immensely to the urbanisation of not only Ondo town which served as the headquarters of Ondo Division, but also other communities that made up of the division among which were, Odigbo, Ile-Oluji, Okeigbo, Ayesan, Araromi Obu and so on. It concludes that the establishment of colonial rule in Ondoland during this period was very significant. The paper complements existing literature on colonial rule in Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general.