Question: british colonial rule in west africa started in the year
Answer: British West Africa , or the British West African Settlements , constituted during two periods ( 17 October 1821 , until its first dissolution on 13 January 1850 , and again 19 February 1866 , until its final demise on 24 November 1888 ) an administrative entity under a governor - in - chief ( comparable in rank to a Governor - general ) , an office vested in the governor of Sierra Leone ( at Freetown ) .