Lagos was annexed in

Analyze the question: The question asks for the year Lagos was annexed by the British. This is a question on Nigerian constitutional and colonial history.

Explain the concept: Britain took over Lagos in stages:

• 1851: The British bombarded Lagos and removed Oba Kosoko, installing Akitoye. This is often called the "Bombardment of Lagos".
• 1852: The Treaty of Lagos was signed with Akitoye.
• 1861: King Dosunmu (Docemo) was forced to sign the Treaty of Cession on 6 August 1861 aboard HMS Prometheus. Lagos was formally annexed as a British colony.
• 1886: Lagos was made a separate colony with its own Governor.
• 1906: Lagos Colony was merged with the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.

Solution:

• 1814 is not tied to the annexation of Lagos. It is too early.
• 1853 falls between the bombardment (1851) and annexation (1861), so it is incorrect.
• 1871 is also not linked to the annexation.
• 1861 is the year of the Treaty of Cession, when Lagos was formally annexed by Britain.

Tip: Remember the sequence 51 → 52 → 61: Bombardment (1851), Treaty of Lagos (1852), Annexation (1861). The word "annexed" or "cession" always points to 1861, while "bombardment" points to 1851.