The implementation of indirect rule was supervised by the __________

Analyze the question: It asks who supervised the implementation of indirect rule, not who carried it out day to day.

Concept: Indirect rule was the British colonial system, associated with Lord Lugard in Northern Nigeria. The British governed through existing traditional rulers and institutions, which saved money and manpower. Two roles need to be kept apart:

• Traditional rulers (chiefs, emirs, councils of elders): They were the agents who carried out the system. They collected taxes, kept law and order, and administered local justice through Native Authorities.
• British officials (Residents, District Officers, Lieutenant-Governors): They supervised the system. They oversaw the Native Authorities, advised and directed the chiefs, checked tax collection, and could depose a ruler who did not cooperate.

Step by step:

1. Option A (Chiefs and Councils of elders) were the ones who implemented the system on the ground, so they are the tool of indirect rule, not its supervisors.
2. Option C (spiritual leaders) had no formal supervisory role in the colonial structure.
3. Option D (the educated elite) were largely excluded from indirect rule. The British distrusted them, and this became a source of tension.
4. Option B (British officials) is correct, because Residents and District Officers supervised the Native Authorities and kept final control.

Answer: B. British officials

Tip: Remember "Chiefs do, British watch." If a question asks who carried out indirect rule, think traditional rulers. If it asks who supervised or controlled it, think British officials (Residents and District Officers). Always check the key verb in the question.