The policy of assimilation was the colonial policy of the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which colonial power used the policy of assimilation as its main method of administering its colonies.

Step 2: Explain the concept Assimilation was a colonial policy built on the idea that colonised people could become "civilised" by adopting the language, culture, laws, and customs of the colonial power. Africans who met certain standards (e.g. speaking French, being educated in the European way, and accepting European values) could become full citizens of the colonising country.

Compare it with the other policies:

• French: assimilation (direct rule, with the aim of making colonial subjects culturally French). The évolués in Senegal's Four Communes (Dakar, Saint-Louis, Gorée, Rufisque) could become French citizens and even elect representatives to the French parliament.
• British: indirect rule, which used local traditional rulers (as Lord Lugard did in Northern Nigeria).
• Portuguese: also had an assimilado system in Angola and Mozambique, but it was a limited, mostly nominal policy. The French are the classic example in textbooks.
• German: direct and harsh rule, with no real assimilation policy (and Germany lost its colonies after World War I).

Step 3: Solution

• British → indirect rule (eliminated)
• German → direct, forceful administration (eliminated)
• Portuguese → had an assimilado status, but it is not the policy it is best known for in JAMB-style questions
• French → assimilation is their signature policy

Step 4: Answer The policy of assimilation was the colonial policy of the French, which is option A.

Exam tip: Remember the pairing "French = Assimilation" and "British = Indirect rule". Whenever JAMB asks about colonial policies, match the country to its signature policy first.