Concept:Crown colonies in British West Africa were territories placed under the control of the British Crown, governed by officials appointed by Britain.
Explanation:The British Crown administered its West African crown colonies, such as Lagos and the Gold Coast, through a system known as direct rule.
Under direct rule, a governor appointed by the British government exercised central authority over the colony.
This governor was supported by colonial officials and administrative councils appointed by Britain.
Local traditional rulers were not given significant governmental power within these crown colonies.
In contrast, French colonies used assimilation and association, while indirect rule was used by Britain in protectorates other than crown colonies.
Therefore, the administration of the crown colonies relied on a centralized foreign authority based on direct rule.
Answer:D. direct rule.