First Democratic Civilian Government In Nigeria 1960-1966 SS2 Nigerian History Lesson Note

When Nigeria became an independent country on October 1, 1960, it started its journey as a new nation with its own government. This government, which lasted from 1960 to 1966, was Nigeria’s first attempt at ruling itself after many years of British control. It was a democratic civilian government, which means that ordinary citizens, not soldiers, ran the country, and leaders were chosen through elections. This lesson explains how this government was formed, how it worked, what it achieved, the problems it faced, and why it eventually ended.

Formation of the First Republic

Independence and the 1959 Elections

Before independence, Nigeria held important elections:

• Federal elections were held in December 1959
• These elections would decide who would lead independent Nigeria
• Three main parties competed:
  1. Northern People’s Congress (NPC) led by Ahmadu Bello
  2. National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) led by Nnamdi Azikiwe
  3. Action Group (AG) led by Obafemi Awolowo
• No party won enough seats to form a government alone
• NPC won 142 seats, NCNC won 89 seats, and AG won 73 seats
• NPC and NCNC formed a coalition government (they joined together)

The New Government Structure

Nigeria’s government was set up like this:

• A federal system with power shared between the central government and regions
• A parliamentary system based on the British model
• The British Queen was still head of state, represented by a Governor-General
• The Prime Minister was the head of government
• There were two houses of parliament:
  1. House of Representatives (lower house)
  2. Senate (upper house)
• Three powerful regions: Northern, Eastern, and Western
• Each region had its own government and premier

Key Leaders

The main leaders of the First Republic were:

• Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – Prime Minister (from NPC)
• Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe – Governor-General, later President (from NCNC)
• Sir Ahmadu Bello – Premier of Northern Region (NPC leader)
• Dr. Michael Okpara – Premier of Eastern Region (NCNC)
• Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola – Premier of Western Region (replaced Awolowo)
• Chief Obafemi Awolowo – Leader of Opposition until 1962

Major Developments and Policies

Political Changes

Several important political changes happened:

• Creation of Mid-Western Region in 1963 (carved out of Western Region)
• Nigeria became a republic in 1963 (no longer under British Queen)
• Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first President (ceremonial role)
• Tafawa Balewa remained Prime Minister (with real power)

Economic Policies

The government tried to develop Nigeria’s economy:

• Started the First National Development Plan (1962-1968)
• Built the Port Harcourt oil refinery
• Established the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank
• Started the Niger Dams project for electricity
• Built steel mills and factories
• Continued and expanded cash crop farming
• Oil production began in commercial quantities in 1958 and expanded

Social and Educational Policies

The government worked to improve people’s lives:

• Expanded primary and secondary education
• Established the University of Lagos
• Built more hospitals and clinics
• Started the Nigerian Television Service
• Improved roads and transportation
• Trained more Nigerians to replace departing British officials
• Started housing projects in major cities

Foreign Policy

Independent Nigeria began to have relationships with other countries:

• Joined the United Nations in October 1960
• Stayed in the Commonwealth of Nations
• Helped form the Organization of African Unity in 1963
• Maintained friendly relations with Britain and Western countries
• Followed a non-aligned policy in the Cold War
• Supported independence for other African colonies
• Sent troops for UN peacekeeping in Congo

Challenges and Problems

Regional Tensions

The biggest problem was conflict between regions:

• Northern Region was larger and more populous than the other regions
• Southern politicians feared Northern domination
• Different regions had different levels of education and development
• Political parties were mainly based on ethnic groups
• Arguments over how to share national resources
• Competition for jobs in government and civil service

The Census Controversy

A major crisis erupted over counting the population:

• Census was held in 1962 but results were rejected
• New census in 1963 showed Northern Region had more people than southern regions
• Southern leaders claimed the numbers were inflated
• This matter was serious because representation in parliament and government funding were based on population
• Created deep distrust between regions

Western Region Crisis

Serious problems happened in Western Region:

• Split between Awolowo and Akintola over alliance with NPC
• Akintola was removed as Premier but refused to step down
• Federal government declared a state of emergency in 1962
• After emergency rule, Akintola returned as Premier with a new party (NNDP)
• Violence and fighting in the Western House of Assembly
• The region became deeply divided and unstable

The Treasonable Felony Trial

The government moved against opposition leaders:

• Awolowo and other Action Group leaders were arrested in 1962
• They were charged with plotting to overthrow the government
• Awolowo was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison
• Many saw this as a political move to remove a strong opposition leader
• Increased tensions and anger in Western Region

Corruption Issues

Government corruption became a serious problem:

• Politicians and officials enriched themselves
• Government contracts were given to friends and family
• Public money was misused
• Ordinary people became angry about corruption
• Gap between rich and poor grew wider
• Created loss of faith in the government

The Federal Election Crisis of 1964

Elections revealed deep problems in Nigerian democracy:

• Federal elections held in December 1964
• Two main alliances competed:
  1. Nigerian National Alliance (NNA) – mainly NPC and NNDP
  2. United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA) – mainly NCNC and AG
• UPGA boycotted the elections in many areas claiming unfairness
• Elections were marked by violence, intimidation, and rigging
• Created a serious political crisis
• President Azikiwe nearly refused to appoint Balewa as Prime Minister
• A compromise government was eventually formed

Western Region Election Crisis (1965)

The worst political crisis happened in Western Region:

• Western Region elections in October 1965
• Widespread reports of vote rigging by Akintola’s NNDP
• NNDP declared winner despite clear popular support for AG
• Massive protests and violence erupted
• “Operation Wetie” (burn them) – opponents were doused with petrol and set on fire
• Law and order broke down
• Government seemed unable to control the situation
• Created conditions that led to the military coup

The End of the First Republic

The January 15, 1966 Coup

The civilian government ended violently:

• Young military officers staged a coup on January 15, 1966
• Prime Minister Balewa was killed
• Sir Ahmadu Bello was killed
• Samuel Akintola was killed
• Federal Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh was killed
• Military officers claimed they acted to end corruption and save Nigeria
• Many northern leaders were killed but few eastern leaders
• Made some people think it was an Igbo plot
• General Aguiyi-Ironsi (an Igbo) took control as head of the military government
• The First Republic was over after just over five years

Achievements of the First Republic

Political Achievements

Despite its problems, the First Republic had some successes:

• Peaceful transfer of power from colonial rulers
• Established democratic institutions
• Conducted several elections
• Maintained Nigeria’s unity initially
• Created the foundation for future democratic governments
• Successfully became a republic in 1963

Economic Achievements

The economy grew during this period:

• Increased agricultural production and exports
• Started industrial development
• Began to develop Nigeria’s oil resources
• Built important infrastructure
• Created development plans for the future
• Economy was relatively stable

Social and Educational Achievements

Life improved for many Nigerians:

• Expanded educational opportunities
• More Nigerians in government jobs
• Improved healthcare services
• Better roads and transportation
• Developed Nigerian culture and arts
• Built national institutions

Failures of the First Republic

Political Failures

The government had serious political problems:

• Could not manage regional and ethnic tensions
• Failed to create a truly national identity
• Allowed elections to be rigged and corrupted
• Used federal power against political opponents
• Could not maintain law and order in the Western Region
• Did not build trust between different groups

Economic Failures

Economic development had limitations:

• Benefits of growth not shared equally
• Too much focus on regional rather than national development
• Corruption wasted resources
• Over-reliance on foreign companies
• Rural areas still underdeveloped
• Growing gap between rich and poor

Social Failures

Social progress was uneven:

• Education developed more in some regions than others
• Government services did not reach many rural areas
• Tribalism (favoring one’s ethnic group) increased
• Class divisions became stronger
• Women had limited opportunities
• Youth unemployment grew

Lessons from the First Republic

The Challenge of Diversity

Nigeria’s first government showed:

• Managing diverse ethnic groups is difficult
• Regional structures can increase divisions
• Need for fair representation of all groups
• Importance of building national identity
• Danger of political parties based on ethnicity

The Importance of Fair Elections

The First Republic demonstrated:

• Elections must be free and fair
• Electoral corruption undermines democracy
• Independent electoral bodies are necessary
• Peaceful transfer of power is essential
• Opposition parties must have space to operate

The Problem of Corruption

This period revealed that:

• Corruption can destroy public trust
• Leaders must be accountable
• Wealth should be shared fairly
• Good systems are needed to prevent misuse of power
• Economic development without integrity fails