A brief history of Nigeria and the role of nationalists

1. Social Studies
Week 2

3. Objectives
 Give a brief history of Nigeria from the amalgamation to
independence.
 Explain how the term ‘Nationalist’
 List some nationalists
 State the major contributions of these nationalists
 Explain how their contributions led to independence.

4. New Words
 Amalgamation
 Independence
 Protectorate
 Colony
 Colonial
 Patriot
 Exile

5. How did Nigeria become a country?
 The British came to Africa to trade
 They started trading companies that became very powerful
 These trading companies were controlled by protectorates in
the North and in the South
 Lord Frederick Lugard was put in charge of those
protectorates and in 1914, he amalgamated (joined) them to
become one.
 His wife, Lady Flora Shaw named the newly amalgamated
country Nigeria (Niger Area, after the River Niger)
 Nigeria then became a colony, ruled and controlled
completely by the British.

6. Nationalists
 Nigerian men and women who spoke out
against colonial rule of the British and led
the struggle for Nigeria’s independence.
They were patriotic and showed courage.
 Some formed political parties and others
criticized the British government through
newspapers and seminars

7. Herbert Macaulay
1. Started the first
political party in
Nigeria in 1922, the
Nigeria National
Democratic Party
(NNDP)
2. Is known as the
Father of Nigerian
Nationalism
3. His picture is on the
N10 note.

8. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
1. Was a teacher before
he became a
politician.
2. Started the
Northern People’s
Congress (NPC)
together with Alh.
Ahmadu Bello.
3. Spoke to the British
about an
independent Nigeria
4. Became the first
prime minister of
Nigeria.
5. His picture is on the
N5 note.

9. Nnamdi Azikiwe
1. Set up a political party
with Herbert Macaulay
called the National
Council of Nigeria and
the Cameroons
(NCNC).
2. Became the premier of
the old Eastern Region
of Nigeria.
3. Became the first
Nigerian Governor-
General of Nigeria in
1960 and became the
president in 1963.
4. His picture is on the
N500 note.

10. Obafemi Awolowo
1. Was the first premier of
the old Western region of
Nigeria.
2. Started a Yoruba cultural
organization that became
a political party; the
Action Group (AG).
3. He established free
education and started the
first TV station in West
Africa.
4. His picture is on the
N100 note.

11. Margaret Ekpo
1. Was a politician and
women’s right
activist.
2. Started the Aba
Women’s
Association.
3. Was a member of
the NCNC.
4. Was elected to
parliament in 1960.

12. Ahmadu Bello
1. Was a teacher before
becoming a
politician.
2. Started the NPC
with Sir Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa.
3. Became the premier
of the old Northern
region of Nigeria.
4. His picture is on the
N200 note.

13. Anthony Eromosele Enahoro
1. Was a politician and
a journalist.
2. Started a political
party known as
Movement for
National
Reformation.
3. He was the first to
move the motion for
Nigeria’s
independence which
was granted.

14. Freedom
On the 1st of October, 1960, Nigeria became an independent
country.