After Britain lost her American colonies, it was looking elsewhere for their economic expansion. As it is, Africa is geographically on the path of British trade, thus it was pertinent that there should be an exploration to discover the source, course, and most importantly the exit of the great river Niger. This discovery was engendered by the African Association in 1788. The main officially declared interest of the African Association was the 'promotion of scientific knowledge about Africa. However, as events would later unfold, their real interest was to discover an inland highway for trade into West Africa.This book brings to life how various British, French, and German interests justled for the effective occupation of the geographical area later referred to as Nigeria. The author in a distinct way, highlights the activities of a chartered company, that perhaps provided the template for the foremost British administration of the Northern and Southern halves of the vast geographical area currently referred to as Nigeria"