The Impact of Colonialism on the Development of Management in Nigeria

This theoretical paper traces the reasons for the slow development of ‘home-grown’ management principles and practices in Nigeria to the effects of the internal conflicts that were generated by the policies of colonialism up to the mid-20 century. It argues that these conflicts had negatively affected the attitude of the local people within the social, economic and political institutions of society. As a way forward, it proposes that emphasis should now be focused by management scholars on modernizing and fitting into contemporary context, some of the indigenous management practices that preceded the advent of colonialism, such as the Calabar House system. Appropriate management principles and theories are likely to evolve from this effort to the benefit of modern business and other organizations.