The Lagos strike of 1897

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Abstract
This contribution aims to put the history of urban wage labour on the map of research possibilities in tropical Africa by reconstructing the first important strike to take place in what was to become Nigeria. The strike, which occurred in 1897, involved a large number of labourers in the Public Works Department, who took action in protest against changes in their conditions that aimed at cutting wage costs The strike was provoked by the assertive policy of the new governor of the colony, who had more knowledge of Asia than of Africa. His action was based on the belief that Africans were lazy and that, when they did work, they would aim for low-level target incomes and then leave employment. Both beliefs were mistaken. Although slavery in the hinterland was being replaced by free labour, wage-earners were reluctant to work in the public sector in Lagos. This was not because their behaviour exemplified the governor’s beliefs, but because they had alternative opportunities that were more congenial or more remunerative. The governor was unable to break the strike and was forced to make concessions that satisfied the strikers. At this stage in the development of the colonial economy, strike action was irregular and expressed specific grievances. It was only after the Second World War that urban labourers became extensively unionised and fully politicised.

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