DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
COURSE GUIDE FOR GENS 101 2021/22 ACADEMIC SESSION--- 1 Credit unit
MODULE 1:

Study Session I

1.1 BASIC CONCEPTS/DEFINITIONS 1

State: It is the basic political unit, a grouping of individuals who are organised in a defined

territory for the pursuit of secular common welfare, the maintenance of law and order and the

conduct of external relations with other groups similarly organised” (Anifowose, 1999: 85).

Therefore, for a state to be recognised as a state, it must possess the following basic

characteristics:

1.2 The Basic Characteristics of a State are:

Territory: this is a fixed geographical location of a state. In other words, each of the world’s

state is located at a particular area of the earth’s surface and has definite, generally recognised

boundaries that do not overlap the area of any other state.

Population: here, we say the population of a state is defined as including citizens or subjects

who enjoy full civil rights and owes full allegiance, nationals or natives of the dependencies

of a state.

Government: government also denotes internal organisation. We say that it is the agency or

machinery through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realised.

Sovereignty: the term denotes supreme and final legal authority, above and beyond which no

further legal power exists. Sovereignty has two dimensions: internal supremacy within the

territory of the state and external independence from direct political control by any other

states.

Nation: The contemporary usage of the term has distinctively gain political connotation that

is used to refer to people who feel united and have or desire an independent government.
Nation-State: a nation-state can be seen as a formation whose members share a strong

emotional feeling of oneness that grows out of shared experience. Such feelings tends to be

further encouraged by factors such as a common language, history or memory, shared

religion, influential social or political ideas.

Nationhood: it is the process of entrenching and cultivating the feelings of unity and

independence among a people with a geographical location.

Colonialism: colonialism is a form of domination and control of individuals or groups over a

territory by other individuals or groups.

Imperialism: Edward in Gauba (2007:166) defines the term imperialism as “the practice, the

theory, and the attitudes of dominating metropolitan centre ruling a distant territory.” It is the

externalization of capital from their metropolitan centres of origin to the periphery for

economic exploitation and expansion.

Neocolonialism: can be referred to a continuous exploitative relationship between a former

colonial master/Western wealth nation with a weaker/less developed nation. It is

characterized by economic, political and cultural domination, where the powerful nation

exercises control over the affairs of the less developed country.

Nationalism: it can be defined as the feelings of patriotism through which citizens of a

country resist foreign rule and domination. With particular reference to Nigeria and in a very

broad sense, Nigerian nationalism can be used to refer to all forms of thoughts and activities

by Nigerians directed against foreign rule or domination.

Patriotism: on the other hand, has do with expression of love and feelings for a nation to the

point that a person is willing to sacrifice almost everything or lay down his/her life for it.

Constitutionalism: is the adherence to the constitution or laws of a state or country.

II) Constitution: define a constitution literally, as the system of laws and basic principles that

a state or an organisation is governed. A constitution in a general term is the body of rules

which directly or indirectly affect the distribution of power or the exercise of sovereign

power in any nation-state.

Types of Constitution

Written: a written constitution is the body of fundamental laws and principles that govern a

country and which can be found in one document.

Unwritten: an unwritten constitution we mean that the guiding principle by which a country is

governed is traditionally not set out in a single document. This implies that unwritten

constitution evolved on the basis of customs, conventions, usage etc.

Rigid: we say a constitution is rigid when it requires a difficult or cumbersome process before

it can be altered or amended and such process is usually stated in details in the constitution

itself. This implies that the process of amending such constitution is different from the

ordinary law-making process; the process is not only difficult but also complicated.

Flexible: a flexible constitution is one in which the processes or method of amending or

altering it can be done without recourse to any special agreement or cumbersome procedure.

Britain, New Zealand, Finland and Italy. Flexible constitutions may or may not be written. It

is possible also for us to have a written constitution that is at the same time flexible as shown

in the case of New Zealand.

DEMOCRACY AND SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

Democracy: democracy as a form of government implies that the ultimate authority of

government is vested in the people, so that public policy is made to reflect the will of the

people and to serve their interest.

Presidential: The presidential system of government is that in which the president is both the

Head of State and head of government and is thus refers to as the executive president,

because he possess executive powers. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Arm Forces.
Parliamentary: The parliamentary system of government is almost an opposite of the

presidential system and it is sometimes referred to as the cabinet system. It is a system of

government in which the head of government is different from the head of state. The head of

government is known as the prime minister while the head of state could be a ceremonial

president or a Queen or King as is the case in Britain.

Federal: A federal system of government is a kind of arrangement whereby government

power is shared between the central or federal government that represent the whole country

and government of the component units, regions or state.

Unitary: A unitary system of government is that in which all political powers that exist in

state are concentrated in the hand of a central authority, known as the central government.

Confederal: A confederal system of government is that which exist when two or more states

agreed to come together to establish or have a loose union. The confederating states may have

common currency, foreign policy and common custom duties, but each of the component

units may choose to maintain its own army and police, and also retain its identity and

autonomy in many areas.

CIVIC EDUCATION

Citizenship: Citizenship means the status of an individual as a full and responsible member

of a political community. It is from this status that a citizen emerged.

How Citizenship is obtained

The 1999 Nigeria constitution; Chapter III. Outline the following categories of citizenship:

citizenship by birth, citizenship by registration, citizenship by naturalization, honorary

(Conferment) citizenship and by marriage.

Rights: As a citizen of a country you are entitle to enjoy certain rights and privileges. Rights

can be categorised into three: civil right, political rights and social rights.

Duties: Are expectations from a citizen towards his country.

Obligations: This implies that, for the rights of the citizens to be protected you as citizens are

expected to fulfil your duties and obligations to the state. Thus, whenever there is a right,

there is also a corresponding duty. The rights and obligations of Nigeria citizens are

contained in Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution. Payment of Taxes and Rates, Loyalty to

the State etc.

Election: it is the legal and constitutional process of selecting political representatives in a

democracy.

Study 2

1.2 PRE-COLONIAL SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba).

1.2.1 Introduction

The peoples in the area today known as Nigeria have existed prior to the advent of British

colonialism, under various forms of socio-political systems. Notable amongst these systems

are; the Oyo Empire, the Benin kingdom, the Sokoto Caliphate and the village republics of

the eastern part of contemporary Nigeria. These systems had various characteristics ranging

from the centralised systems of political administration in the north and part of contemporary

western Nigeria, to the acephalous states in parts of the north central and eastern parts of

Nigeria.

These ethnic groups consist of the Hausa and Fulani which are the dominant group in the

northern part of the country, the Yoruba and the Igbo which are the dominant ethnic groups

in the western and eastern parts of the country respectively. Other ethnic groups in Nigeria
include: the Ijaws, Ibibios, Tivs, Kanuri, Nupe, the Edos etc. Prior to their conquest by

Europeans in the 19th century, these ethnic groups existed under separate kingdoms and

empires. By 1900 however, all parts of pre-colonial Nigeria had fallen under British

colonialism. In 1914 the British consolidated its influence on the indigenous territories of pre-

colonial Nigeria, with the amalgamation of the northern and southern part of the country to

form the colony and protectorate of Nigeria. The administrative structure and powers of the

pre-colonial states and nations in Nigeria were equally diverse, with some like the small

simple states based on rule by the clan or village elders, while the big complex states

developed a more elaborate structure of rule with the Oba (King) and Sultan (Emir) at the

apex. Hence, the categorisation of these systems as either centralised or non-centralised. The

non-centralised systems had within its fold, most of the states in the present day eastern

Nigeria, some parts of the north central and parts of the western region of Nigeria. These

states were seen as non-centralised because there were essentially agglomerations of clans

interacting on an independent basis with no central authority overseeing their affairs

1.2.2 Hausa and Fulani Precolonial System

Since you have a background knowledge of the structure of administration in Nigeria before

the coming of the British, we will then take a closer look at these structures before

amalgamation. The Hausa/Fulani pre-colonial system sometimes referred to as the centralised

system of pre-colonial northern Nigeria can be traced to the Holy Jihad fought by Uthman

Dan fodio in 1804 which gave rise to the Sokoto Caliphate.

The Sokoto Caliphate in Northern Nigeria was one of the largest empires in Africa during the

19th century. The empire developed as a result of the Fulani jihads (holy wars) which took

place in the first decade of the 19th century across what is now Northern Nigeria. The Sokoto

Caliphate was the centre of politics and economics in the region until it fell to British colonial

armies in the early 20th Century (Falola and Heaton 2008).

The Sokoto Caliphate was founded in 1804 by Uthman Dan Fodio who became the first

Sultan of Sokoto or in the terminology of the time, the first sarkin musulmi (commander of

the faithful). Although Dan Fodio refused to embrace the term Sultan, each of his successors

called himself the Sultan of Sokoto.

Dan Fodio, a Fulani religious leader and teacher who lived in the Hausa city state of Gobir,

initiated the jihad in 1804 after he and his followers were expelled from the city. From exile

he called for holy war against the leaders of Gobir and other Hausa city states. Gathering a

large army of Fulani and Hausa supporters he conquered Gobir and eventually Sokoto, Kano,

Katsina, and the other major city states. By 1815 when his armies ended their conquests,

Uthman Dan Fodio's religious empire include most of what is now northern Nigeria and

northern Cameroon as well as parts of Niger (Falola and Heaton 2008).

The main political institutions in the centralised pre-colonial political system of northern

Nigeria include:

I. The Emir: the Emir is the head of an emirate, vested with legislative, executive and

judicial power. He was an absolute ruler. That is, the Emir is supreme in decision making

and whatsoever he ordered must be carried out, though within the tenet of Islamic laws

called Sharia. Therefore, the Emir was both the political and religious head because he

ensures that the provisions of Sharia are adequately followed without any reservation.

The Emir’s court was the highest and final. The Emir also had the right to levy tax and

decision made cannot be changed by anybody.

II. Emir’s Ministers: these were the Emirs advisory council who helped in day to day

administration of the Emirate. These groups of people were popularly regarded as the

Emir’s ministers, assigned to various offices for the purpose of administrative activities.

The Waziri was the prime minister of the Emirate and can be regarded as the senior

official and head of administration. Not only that, he was in charge of all ministries and
 carry out the day to day administrative responsibility on behalf of the Emir. Other

officials that assisted the Emir were:

a. Sarkin fada: The spokesman of the Emir and organiser of palace workers.

b. Galadima: The Administrator of the capital city.

c. Madawaki: The commander and Head of the Emirate Army.

d. Magaji: Government Treasurer in-charge of the government treasury.

e. Sarkin Dan doka: Inspector General of police force called Dan doka.

f. Sarkin ruwa: Minister in-charge of water resources.

g. Sarkin pawa: Head or chairman of butchers at the abattoirs.

h. Yari: Chief Superintendent of prisons in the emirate.

III. District Head (Hakimi): the emirate system was divided into a number of districts

headed by ‘Hakimi’. The Hakimi’s responsibility is that of tax collection and he was

responsible to the Emir.

1.2.3 Yoruba Precolonial System

The political system in the Yoruba speaking areas of pre-colonial Western Nigeria, like in the

northern part of Nigeria was centralised and monarchical in nature. At the apex of the

“Yoruba precolonial system” was the king who was assisted by other chiefs. It is important to

note that the pre-colonial administration of these Yoruba speaking areas, was not as highly

centralised as the Hausa/Fulani system. The reason being that the Oba was not an absolute

ruler, as there was the principle of checks and balance. Examples of Yoruba kingdoms

include the Oyo kingdom, Ijesha, Ilesa, Ijebu, Abeokuta, etc. In this case, Oyo Empire is

taken as case study.

The Oyo Empire was based around the city of Oyo Ile, situated south of the river Niger in the

Savana zone near its convergence with the forest zone in what is today’s north-eastern corner

of Oyo State. According to Falola and Heaton (2008), it is unclear when exactly the town of
Oyo Ile was founded, but archaeological testing indicates that the town was inhabited as early

as the eighth century AD. Oyo Ile was a well-established urban centre by the fifteenth

century, when the neighbouring Nupe sacked the city. The Oyo monarchy sought refuge

among the Borgu, another neighbouring people, to the west, where it reconstituted itself. By

the early sixteenth century Oyo had moved its capital to Igboho, roughly forty miles west of

Oyo Ile, and sometime in the late sixteenth century, under the reign of Ajiboyede, the Oyo

defeated the Nupe and reclaimed Oyo Ile. From about 1600 the Oyo Empire underwent rapid

expansion into the forest zone to the south and southeast, becoming one of the largest empires

in the Nigerian region.

Some of the major political Institutions of Oyo Empire include.

I. The Alaafin

The leader of the Oyo Empire was known as the alafin. As was the case with most Yoruba

states, the Alafin traced his authority back to descendants of Oduduwa, the founder of the

Yoruba people, who spread out from Ife. Oyo’s tradition claims that the city of Oyo was

founded by Oranmiyan, a son of Oduduwa. This link to Oduduwa and Ife was not the only

foundation upon which the Alafin’s authority rested. The Alafin also claimed descent from

Sango, an early King of Oyo later deified as the god of thunder, further mystifying the office

of Alafin and connecting it to the realm of the gods. The office of Alafin was therefore seen

as having supreme authority, and only the Alafin or one of his proxies could make policy

decisions, order executions, and create and confer titles.

The Alaafin or Oba (King) was therefore the highest authority in the Oyo Empire; though he

was not an absolute ruler. He was both political and spiritual head of the Oyo kingdom. Yet,

the Alafin’s powers were checked by other institutions like Oyomesi, Ogboni cult, warlords,

etc., as he was expected to always respect the views of the people of the society. The Alafin

ruled with the assistance of chiefs called Ijoye like Otun, Iyalode etc. With these chiefs, the
Alafin can exercise judicial, legislative and executive power particularly over serious cases

like land disputes, crimes etc.

II. The Oyomesi: we can regard Oyomesi as kingmakers. They were prominent chiefs

comprising seven notable individuals within the community. Specifically, Oyomesi are the

institutions charged with the responsibility of appointing the king from a royal family. It is

headed by Bashorun. The Oba also required the consent of the Oyomesi before taking a

serious decision. The oyomesi was the principal institution for checking the excesses of the

Oba. They could compel the king to open calabash (an order to commit suicide) if the king

was dictatorial and arbitrary in ruling the people.

III. The Ogboni Cults: the Ogboni was a very powerful secret society composed of freemen

noted for their age, wisdom and importance in religious and political affairs. Its members

enjoyed immense power over the common people due to their religious station. Aside from

their duties in respect to the worship of the earth, they were responsible for judging any case

dealing with the spilling of blood and they served as a key institution in checking the powers

of the Oba and the Oyomesi. The leader of the Ogboni, the Oluwo, had the qualified right of

direct access to the Oba on any matter.

1.2.4 Igbo Precolonial System

The Igbo occupied the Eastern part of Nigeria. The administrative systems operational in the

region were decentralised as there were no symbols of central authority like the Emir or the

Oba. The Igbo political system was therefore segmentary and egalitarian in nature. Each of

the villages in Igbo society was normally administered like a Republic, independent or

sovereign state. There were however a number of institutions in this society charged with the

responsibility of judicial, legislative and executive functions like: the family group, village

council, Ozo title holder, age grades and the Ala.

I. The Family Group: the family group was one of the most recognised institutions in pre-

colonial Igbo society. It comprises people of the same family. Not only that, each family

group was autonomously headed by the title holder called ‘Okpara’. The Okpara controls the

family and settles any family disputes. He performs ritual and ceremonial functions on behalf

of the family.

II. The Village Council: the Village Council is popularly known as council of elders. It

comprises of all the family heads in the village. However, the most important thing is that

each village was administered as a sovereign entity and each family heads (Okpara) were

reckoned or named an ‘Ofo’ title holder in the village. They have the responsibility of

discussing the matters that affect the life of the citizens. They also help in maintaining law

and order in the society as well as settlement of disputes between or among group of families.

The chairman of this council is known as the oldest of the Okparas.

III. The Ozo: the Ozo title holders can be seen as the highest title of honour which is given to

the specific individuals in pre-colonial Igbo society. To become an Ozo title holder, one must

be prestigious, popular and wealthy. The most amazing thing is that the position is not

hereditary. Ozos are highly influential. They settle and adjudicate on different disputes. Not

only that, they render valuable advice to the family heads (the Okparas).

IV. Age Grades: age grade is another important institution in pre-colonial Igbo society. They

are group of young men organised on the basis of age. These age grades carry out lots of

responsibilities like maintenance of peace and order, sanitation of the community, helping

each other during harvesting period, enforcement of law, etc.

V. The Ala: the Ala is another political institution in pre-colonial Igbo society. Ala was

popularly known as the goddess of the land. Cases like murder, homicide etc., were judged

by the Ala

MODULE 2
NATIONALISM IN COLONIAL NIGERIA

2.1 Introduction

Nationalism in Nigeria evolved in two distinct phases: the traditional phase, which involved

localized and often sporadic resistance to European incursion, and the modern phase, marked

by organized movements led by the educated elite. Traditional nationalism focused on

resisting the immediate threat of foreign domination, whereas modern nationalism sought to

confront the broader system of colonial rule. This chapter explores both phases, using

specific examples to highlight the resistance efforts and the eventual struggle for self-rule,

culminating in Nigerian independence in 1960 (Falola & Heaton, 2008; Achebe, 2012).

2.2 Traditional Nationalism

As noted by James Coleman traditional nationalism represented the period of early resistance

and protest movement, which was targeted against British penetration and occupation. It was

essentially the spontaneous resistance setup by the indigenous peoples against British

occupation.

Traditional nationalism in Nigeria was characterized by fragmented efforts by indigenous

rulers and societies to resist European domination. These efforts were uncoordinated due to

the absence of a united identity among the diverse ethnic groups in what is now Nigeria. Each

group acted independently, defending its sovereignty from European encroachment (Ikime,

1977; Falola & Heaton, 2008).

2.3 Modern Nationalism

This was the second period of Nigerian nationalism, which included all forms of sentiments,

activities and organisations which were specifically aimed towards the achievement of self-

government for Nigeria as nation state. Some of the major features of the modern period of

Nigerian nationalism, which distinguished it from the traditional period of Nigerian

nationalism include:
I. The declaration of self-government as the specific goal of the nationalist movement.

II. The evolution, for the first time, of the concept of Nigerian unity.

III. The pre-dominance of westernised elites in the nationalist struggles.

IV. The development of permanent political associations to fight for independence.

V. The predominance of modern political values and ideas.

There were two native foreigners who laid the foundation for the development of modern

nationalism in Nigeria: Edward Wilmot Blyden, who spent very little of his life in Nigeria

and John Payne Jackson, a Liberian who was a close confidant of Blyden.

2.4. Founding Fathers of Nigerian Nationalism (Contributions and Significance of both

Traditional and Modern Nationalists)

2.4.1 Nanna Olomu of Itsekiri (1852-1916)

Chief Nanna Olomu was an influential Itsekiri Chief active in the late-nineteenth and early

twentieth century. He was a pioneer nationalist who struggled and resisted the British rule.

The Itsekiri are among the five major ethnic groups in the oil-rich delta state. The Warri

kingdom was founded in 1480 and is in the Niger Delta region of modern-day Nigeria. He

was one of the earliest nationalists who vehemently resisted the intrusion of foreign rule

known as Traditional Nationalism. Nana was among the first set of nationalists in precolonial

Nigeria (Ikime 1980:276; Onabamiro 1983:56; Fajana and Biggs 1976:137).

His contributions can be summarised as;

i) Resistance against British colonial rule: he was able to resist the influence of the

British colonial incursion especially their attempts to control the palm oil trade,

which was the major economic main stay of the people of the Niger- Delta. His

resistance led to the popular Nana War of 1894 which resulted in his exile to

Ghana and later Sierra Leone.

 ii) Protection of the interest of the Ishekiri nation: he was a powerful chief, he

worked to protect the interest of his people and maintain their independence as a

community in the face of British colonialism.

iii) Nana Olomu’s resistance against British colonial rule and his efforts to protect

Ishekiri’ s interests by extension his contribution led to the struggle for Nigerian

unity and independence.

iv) He was also seen as a national hero because he will always be remembered for his

bravery and leadership in the face of colonialism.

2.4.2 Sultan Attahiru of Sokoto Caliphate (Dead in 1903)

Sultan Attahiru of the Sokoto Caliphate played a significant role in Nigerian nationalism,

particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the 12th Sultan of Sokoto, Attahiru

resisted British colonial rule, which ultimately led to his assassination in 1903.

Attahiru's contributions to Nigerian nationalism can be seen in several areas:

i. Resistance against British colonial rule: Attahiru's resistance against British

colonial rule was a significant act of defiance against foreign domination. His

efforts, although ultimately unsuccessful, inspired future generations of Nigerian

nationalists.

ii. Preservation of Islamic traditions: As the Sultan of Sokoto, Attahiru played a

crucial role in preserving Islamic traditions and culture in the region. This helped

to maintain a sense of identity and community among Muslims in Nigeria.

iii. Promotion of unity among Hausa-Fulani people: Attahiru's leadership helped to

promote unity among the Hausa-Fulani people, who were the dominant ethnic

group in the Sokoto Caliphate. This unity was essential in resisting British

colonial rule and promoting Nigerian nationalism.

 iv. Inspiration to future nationalists: Attahiru's resistance against British colonial rule

and his commitment to preserving Islamic traditions inspired future generations of

Nigerian nationalists, including those who fought for independence in the mid-

20th century.

v. His efforts culminated in the Battle of Burmi in 1903, where he was defeated and

killed, marking the end of the Sokoto Caliphate’s independence (Falola & Heaton,

2008).

2.4.5 King Kosoko of Lagos (1797-1872)

Although, his contribution to Nigeria was indirect, but it was significant to development of

nationalism and subsequent self-rule. As the king of Lagos from 1845 to 1851, Kosoko

resisted British colonial influence and protected the independence of Lagos.

i. His resistance against British colonialism inspired future generation of Nigerian

nationalists, who continued to fight for independence and self-rule.

ii. His legacies and fight can be typified as a precursor to the Nigerian nationalist

movement, which emerged in the 20th century.

iii. However, his defiance against the British rule sparked a series of events that led to

British bombardment of Lagos in 1851 and the signing of the Treaty of Cession,

which saw the beginning of British rule in Nigeria.

2.4.6 Herbert Heelas Macaulay (1864-1946)

Herbert Macaulay was the founder of the first political party in Nigeria. The Nigeria

National Democratic Party (NNDP) was founded when Nigerians were granted the right to

elect members to the legislative council albeit to a limited electorate in Lagos and Calabar

(only adult males in these areas with an annual income of 100pounds and above could vote)

in 1922. The chief sources of Macaulay’s strengths were his newspapers, the Lagos daily

news, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), the highly organised market women,

the house of Docemo-spelled in British document (Oba Dosunmu of Lagos) and its

supporters and his unique ability to fire the imagination of the semi-literate and illiterate

masses of Lagos. Macaulay was one of the first Nigerian nationalists and for most of his life a

strong opponent of many colonial policies.

2.4.7 Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904 – 1996)

Azikiwe was one of the greatest personalities of Nigerian nationalism. According to James

Coleman during the period 1934-1949, Azikiwe was undoubtedly the most important and

celebrated nationalist leader in the west coast of Africa, if not the whole of tropical Africa.

He established a series of newspapers in Kano, Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, and Port Harcourt

which were central to the development of nationalist activities. In his newspapers, Azikiwe

fought against racial inequality and injustice, perpetuated by the colonial administration and

their indigenous allies. It was also the journalistic activities of Azikiwe that laid the

foundation for the formation of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

in 1944. He served as its first secretary general and then President in 1946. Like the NYM,

the NCNC was overly concerned with fostering a pan-Nigerian identity and securing self-

government for all of Nigeria. The NCNC was not a political party as such; rather, it was a

conglomeration of many ethnic and social unions, with constituencies throughout Nigeria that

aligned under its banner. Azikiwe and the NCNC’s staunch support for the General Strike of

1945 brought recognition and legitimacy to the new organisation and made Azikiwe, dubbed
‘‘the Great Zik,’’ the face of Nigerian nationalism. After the alleged ‘‘assassination’’ attempt,

a militant wing of the NCNC was formed in 1946. It was known as the Zikists movement. It

is noteworthy that members of this movement called for the elimination of the colonial

regime by any means necessary.

2.4.8 Sir Ahmadu Bello (1910-1966)

Sir Ahmadu Bello was popularly known as the Sardauna of Sokoto. He was a pivotal figure

in Nigerian nationalism. As a well-known political leader, he played key role in the struggle

of Nigerian independence. His contributions can be categorized as:

i. As the Premier of Northern Nigeria in 1954, he made significant contributions to

the development and modernization of the North. The establishment of Northern

University later known as Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1962, Northern

Regional Development Corporation, and Bank of the North

ii. He was an advocate for federalism, because he believed it was the most suitable

system of government for Nigeria. He was enthusiastic about the development of

the north and his wish was to protect the north from potential southern domination

and ensure regional autonomy.

iii. Bello was the leader of Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and he played a major

role in forming Nigeria’s first indigenous federal government, in alliance with

Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).

iv. He was also an advocate of the unification of Nigeria. He worked for the

unification of Nigeria and recognised the country’s diversity as a strength.

2.4.9 Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo (1909 – 1987)

Awolowo is recognised as one of the most disciplined of Africa’s leaders, thinkers and

philosophers, as well as one of Nigeria's leading nationalists and founding fathers. His first
name, Obafemi, means 'The king loves me' and the surname Awolowo means 'The mystic, or

mysticism, commands honour or respect'.

Awolowo started his career as a nationalist in the Nigerian Youth Movement. Like

some of his pre-independence contemporaries, he was responsible for many of the views,

opinions and progressive social legislations that have made Nigeria a modern nation. He was

an active journalist and trade unionist as a young man, editing ‘The Nigerian Worker’

amongst many other publications, while also organising the Nigerian Produce Traders

Association and serving as secretary of the Nigerian Motor Transport Union (Booth, 1981

and Olson and Robert, 1996).

i. In 1949, Awolowo founded the Nigerian Tribune, the oldest surviving private

Nigerian newspaper today. He used the Nigerian Tribune to spread nationalist

consciousness among Nigerians, and that played a great role in the fight against

colonialism.

ii. Awolowo’s party, Action Group, was the first to move the motion for Nigeria's

independence in the Federal Parliament and he obtained internal self-government

for the then Nigeria’s Western Region in 1957.

iii. Awolowo was one of those Nigerians that actively participated in the struggle for

Nigeria’s independence. His writings and other nationalists’ activities brought

together many Nigerians in fighting colonialism and advocating for Nigeria’s

independence.

iv. Notable among Awolowo’s struggle against colonialism was his quest for

federalism as the only basis for the equitable national integration of Nigeria. As

head of the Action Group, he led demands for a federal constitution, which was

introduced in the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution.