The Indigenat Policy is attributable to the ___

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which colonial power is associated with the Indigenat policy (in French, Code de l'Indigénat).

Step 2: Explain the concept The Indigénat was a legal system used in French colonial territories, including French West Africa. It created a separate legal status for the "indigènes" (natives), who were treated differently from French citizens. Key features:

• Natives were subject to special administrative penalties and could be punished by colonial administrators without a regular trial.
• It imposed forced labour, restrictions on movement, and heavy taxation.
• Natives could only escape it by becoming French citizens through assimilation (the évolué route), which required meeting strict conditions such as French education and culture.

The policy fits France's wider colonial philosophy of assimilation and direct rule. This contrasts with Britain's indirect rule, which was used in Nigeria under Lord Lugard.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• A. French colonies: Correct. The name is French and the policy was applied in French territories such as Senegal, Dahomey, and Ivory Coast.
• B. British Crown colonies: Britain used indirect rule, not the Indigenat.
• C. German colonies: Germany had its own harsh systems, but they were not called Indigenat.
• D. Portuguese colonies: Portugal had the Indigenato system, which was similar. However, it is spelled and named differently, and the JAMB term "Indigenat" refers to the French one.

Step 4: Answer The Indigenat Policy is attributable to the French colonies, which is option A.

Exam tip: Link the words to the colonial power:

• French → Assimilation, Indigénat, direct rule
• British → Indirect rule
• Portuguese → Indigenato (note the "o" ending) and assimilado

If you see "Indigenat" ending in "t", think French.