ocr: Before formal colonization by the. British, not begun until 1861, Nigeria was a collection of African states owing their considerable wealth to trans-Saharan and transatlantic trade. During the 18th century the principal commodity was. slaves: over 15,000 people were exported annually: from the Bight ofl Be enin and another 15,000 from the Bight ofl Biafra. 01885 George Goldie's Royal Niger Company given responsibility by the UK. government for the British sphere ofi intluence along the Niger and Benue rivers. British armed: forces beg gin coercing local rulers into accepting British: rule. 18 ...
