Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Historians have long debated the significance of missionary activities in the Lake Chad Basin, though interpretations of its long-term consequences continue to evolve.

Within the period 1840-1960, missionary activities took on particular significance in the Lake Chad Basin, reflecting the wider political and economic pressures of the time.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite considerable historical scholarship, the precise role of missionary activities in the Lake Chad Basin during 1840-1960 remains a subject of ongoing debate, with existing accounts often relying on incomplete or contested source material. This study re-examines the available historical record to offer a clearer account.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To trace the role of missionary activities in the Lake Chad Basin during 1840-1960.
2. To examine the factors that shaped missionary activities during this period.
3. To assess the consequences of missionary activities for the Lake Chad Basin.
4. To situate these findings within the broader historiography of the period.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What role did missionary activities play in the Lake Chad Basin during 1840-1960?
2. What factors shaped missionary activities during this period?
3. What were the consequences of missionary activities for the Lake Chad Basin?
4. How do these findings relate to the broader historiography of the period?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to historians and students of history and international studies, contributing a focused account of missionary activities in the Lake Chad Basin to the existing historiography, and offering a reference point for future comparative or regional studies.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited chronologically to 1840-1960 and geographically to the Lake Chad Basin, reflecting a clearly defined scope; developments outside this period and region fall outside its remit.