The Independence Movement JSS3 Nigerian History Lesson Note

The independence movement in Nigeria refers to the various efforts, activities, and organizations that worked to end British colonial rule and achieve self-government for Nigeria. This movement developed gradually over several decades, starting with early expressions of discontent with colonial policies in the early 20th century and culminating in the achievement of independence on October 1, 1960. The independence movement involved many different people and groups, including political leaders, labor unions, students, market women, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens who wanted freedom from foreign control. Understanding this movement helps us appreciate how Nigeria transformed from a British colony to an independent nation.

Early Stirrings of Nationalism (1900s-1930s)

The first signs of organized resistance to colonial rule appeared in the early decades of the 20th century, particularly in Lagos and other coastal areas where Western education had created a small elite of Nigerians familiar with European political ideas.

Early Nationalist Organizations

1. Lagos Aboriginal Rights Protection Society (1880s-1900s)
   1. Formed to protect the land rights of Lagos natives against colonial seizures
   2. Composed mainly of educated Africans and traditional elites
   3. Protested against colonial land policies and taxation
   4. While focused mainly on local issues, it set an important precedent for organized opposition to colonial policies
2. People’s Union (1908)
   1. Founded by Dr. Orisadipe Obasa and others in Lagos
   2. Advocated for more Nigerian participation in the Legislative Council
   3. Campaigned against racial discrimination in colonial service
   4. Represented primarily the interests of the educated elite
3. Nigerian Teachers’ Union (1913)
   1. Early professional organization that became politically conscious
   2. Advocated for better working conditions for Nigerian teachers
   3. Promoted education as a tool for national development
   4. Many early political leaders emerged from teaching backgrounds

Early Nationalist Newspapers

Newspapers played a crucial role in spreading nationalist ideas and criticizing colonial policies:

1. Lagos Weekly Record (1891-1930)
   1. Edited by John Payne Jackson and later his son Thomas
   2. Consistently criticized colonial policies and racial discrimination
   3. Promoted pan-African ideas and unity among African peoples
   4. Widely read among the educated elite in Lagos
2. Lagos Daily News (1925)
   1. Founded by Herbert Macaulay, often called the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”
   2. Used the newspaper to expose colonial abuses and promote nationalist ideas
   3. Connected with ordinary people by publishing in both English and Yoruba
   4. Served as the voice of the Nigerian National Democratic Party
3. West African Pilot (1937)
   1. Founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe after his return from studies in the United States
   2. Adopted a more radical approach to criticizing colonialism
   3. Used modern journalistic techniques to reach a wider audience
   4. Became the most influential nationalist newspaper in Nigeria

Key Early Nationalist Figures

1. Herbert Macaulay (1864-1946)
   1. Educated as a civil engineer and surveyor
   2. Grandson of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther
   3. Founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party in 1923
   4. Used journalism, lawsuits, and public speeches to challenge colonial authority
   5. Investigated and exposed colonial corruption and mismanagement
   6. Became known as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”
   7. Helped organize opposition to the colonial water rate scheme in Lagos
2. Casely Hayford (1866-1930)
   1. Though Ghanaian, his ideas influenced early Nigerian nationalists
   2. Advocated for pan-West African cooperation against colonialism
   3. Helped organize the National Congress of British West Africa in 1920
   4. Promoted African cultural values alongside modernization
3. Chief Oluwa of Lagos
   1. Traditional ruler who traveled to London in 1921 to protest against land policies
   2. Collaborated with Herbert Macaulay to defend traditional land rights
   3. Represented the alliance between traditional authorities and Western-educated elites

The Growth of Nationalist Organizations (1930s-1940s)

The 1930s and 1940s saw a significant expansion of nationalist organizations and activities, influenced by global events like the Great Depression, World War II, and anti-colonial movements in other parts of the world.

Nigerian Youth Movement (1934)

1. Formation and Leadership
   1. Founded by Ernest Ikoli, H.O. Davies, Samuel Akisanya, and J.C. Vaughan
   2. Later joined by Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo
   3. First truly national political organization that transcended tribal and regional boundaries
   4. Attracted young, educated Nigerians from different parts of the country
2. Goals and Activities
   1. Advocated for increased Nigerian participation in civil service
   2. Called for educational and economic development for Nigerians
   3. Demanded more representation in the Legislative Council
   4. Published a newspaper called “The Service” to spread their ideas
   5. Won elections to the Lagos Town Council in 1938
3. Internal Conflicts
   1. Split in 1941 over a leadership dispute involving Azikiwe and Ikoli
   2. This split revealed some of the ethnic tensions that would later challenge the nationalist movement
   3. Despite this setback, the NYM established a template for future nationalist organizations

National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC, 1944)

1. Formation and Leadership
   1. Founded by Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe
   2. Initially a federation of various organizations rather than a political party
   3. Included trade unions, ethnic improvement associations, and social clubs
   4. After Macaulay’s death in 1946, Azikiwe became the dominant leader
2. Goals and Strategies
   1. Called for immediate self-government for Nigeria
   2. Opposed the Richards Constitution of 1946 for its limited Nigerian participation
   3. Organized the first major political tour of Nigeria to mobilize support
   4. Sent a delegation to London in 1947 to protest colonial policies
   5. Published the West African Pilot and other newspapers to spread its message
3. Evolution and Influence
   1. Initially had support across Nigeria but gradually became identified with eastern Nigeria and Igbo interests
   2. Transformed from a broad coalition into a political party
   3. Played a key role in constitutional negotiations leading to independence
   4. Later renamed National Convention of Nigerian Citizens in 1959

Trade Unions and Labor Movement

Trade unions became important components of the nationalist movement, connecting political demands with workers’ economic concerns:

1. Nigerian Trade Union Congress (1943)
   1. Brought together various workers’ organisations
   2. Led by Michael Imoudu, known as “Labor Leader Number One”
   3. Organised strikes to protest colonial economic policies and low wages
   4. The general strike of 1945 demonstrated the power of organised labor
2. Railway Workers Union
   1. One of the most powerful and politically conscious unions
   2. Railway workers were spread throughout Nigeria, helping to spread nationalist ideas
   3. Led major strikes that challenged colonial economic control
3. Women’s Market Associations
   1. Market women organized to protest taxation and price controls
   2. The Aba Women’s Riots of 1929 showed the power of women’s resistance to colonialism
   3. Women’s groups continued to support the nationalist movement through the 1930s-1950s

Post-War Nationalism and Regional Political Parties (1945-1954)

World War II accelerated nationalist movements worldwide. In Nigeria, the post-war period saw the formation of regional political parties and increased demands for self-government.

Action Group (AG, 1951)

1. Formation and Leadership
   1. Founded by Obafemi Awolowo and other members of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa cultural organization
   2. Based primarily in western Nigeria among the Yoruba
   3. Awolowo emerged as the dominant leader
   4. Well-organized with a clear party structure and discipline
2. Platform and Goals
   1. Advocated for federalism with strong regional governments
   2. Promoted free primary education and healthcare
   3. Called for rapid Nigerianization of the civil service
   4. Supported democratic socialism and welfare policies
   5. Initially focused on winning control of the Western Region
3. Electoral Success
   1. Won the first elections in the Western Region in 1951
   2. Established a strong regional government under Awolowo’s leadership
   3. Used regional power to implement educational and development programs
   4. Served as the main opposition party at the federal level until 1959

Northern People’s Congress (NPC, 1949)

1. Formation and Leadership
   1. Evolved from a cultural organization called Jamiyar Mutanen Arewa
   2. Led by Ahmadu Bello (the Sardauna of Sokoto) and Tafawa Balewa
   3. Represented primarily the interests of the northern emirate system
   4. Conservative in its approach to social and political change
2. Platform and Goals
   1. Emphasized gradual approach to independence
   2. Defended northern traditions and Islamic values
   3. Advocated for regionalism and later federalism
   4. Concerned with protecting the North from southern dominance
   5. Focused on northern unity across ethnic lines
3. Electoral Dominance
   1. Won overwhelming control of the Northern Region government
   2. Used traditional authority structures to mobilize electoral support
   3. Eventually became the leading party in the federal government
   4. Tafawa Balewa became the first Prime Minister of independent Nigeria

Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU, 1950)

1. Formation and Leadership
   1. Founded by Aminu Kano and other northern progressives
   2. Represented the interests of the talakawa (common people) in northern Nigeria
   3. Challenged the conservative emirate system supported by the NPC
   4. Aligned with the NCNC at the national level
2. Platform and Goals
   1. Advocated for social reforms in the North
   2. Called for the democratization of the emirate system
   3. Promoted women’s rights and education
   4. Supported a unified, rather than regionalized, approach to Nigerian politics
   5. Faced significant repression in the Northern Region

Constitutional Developments and the Road to Independence (1946-1960)

The path to independence included several constitutional changes that gradually increased Nigerian participation in governance:

Richards Constitution (1946)

1. Key Features
   1. Introduced regional assemblies for the North, East, and West
   2. Maintained a unified Legislative Council for the whole country
   3. Increased Nigerian representation, though still a minority
   4. Reinforced the separate development of the three regions
2. Nationalist Response
   1. Strongly criticized by the NCNC for inadequate Nigerian representation
   2. NCNC organized a nationwide tour to mobilize opposition
   3. Sent a delegation to London to protest the constitution
   4. Forced the colonial government to revise the constitution earlier than planned

Macpherson Constitution (1951)

1. Key Features
   1. Increased Nigerian representation in government
   2. Created a more federal structure with stronger regional governments
   3. Introduced electoral systems for choosing representatives
   4. Established a central Council of Ministers with Nigerian members
2. Regional Elections
   1. First major elections held under this constitution in 1951
   2. AG won in the West, NPC in the North, and NCNC in the East
   3. Regional governments gained significant powers
   4. Regional premiers emerged as important political figures
3. Limitations and Conflicts
   1. Crisis in the Western Region over representation in 1953
   2. Kano riots in 1953 following southern politicians’ tour of the North
   3. Demonstrated the growing regional and ethnic tensions
   4. Led to calls for a new constitutional conference

Lyttleton Constitution (1954)

1. Key Features
   1. Established a true federal system with autonomous regional governments
   2. Federal government had exclusive powers in certain areas
   3. Lagos separated as federal territory
   4. Regional governments controlled their civil services and judiciary
   5. Created a Council of Ministers with Nigerian majority
2. Steps Toward Self-Government
   1. Eastern and Western Regions achieved internal self-government in 1957
   2. Northern Region followed in 1959
   3. Federal elections in 1954 and 1959 prepared for full independence
   4. Increasing Nigerianization of the civil service and other institutions

Independence Conferences and Final Steps (1957-1960)

1. Constitutional Conferences
   1. London conferences in 1957 and 1958 negotiated the final independence constitution
   2. Nigerian delegates from all major parties participated
   3. Resolved issues like minority rights, revenue allocation, and the structure of government
   4. Set October 1, 1960, as the official independence date
2. Pre-Independence Federal Election (1959)
   1. Last major election before independence
   2. NPC won plurality but not majority of seats
   3. Formed coalition government with NCNC
   4. Tafawa Balewa became Prime Minister
   5. AG became the official opposition
3. Final Preparations
   1. Creation of Nigerian diplomatic service
   2. Establishment of Nigerian military command
   3. Transfer of government departments to Nigerian control
   4. Planning for independence celebrations

Independence Day and Immediate Aftermath

Nigeria achieved independence on October 1, 1960, with elaborate celebrations throughout the country:

1. Official Ceremonies
   1. Lowering of the British Union Jack and raising of the Nigerian flag
   2. Transfer of power from the last British Governor-General to Nigerian leaders
   3. Princess Alexandra representing Queen Elizabeth II at the ceremonies
   4. Independence speeches by Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and other leaders
2. First Independent Government
   1. Coalition government of NPC and NCNC
   2. Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister
   3. Nnamdi Azikiwe initially as Senate President, later as Governor-General
   4. Obafemi Awolowo as Leader of Opposition
   5. Cabinet included ministers from major parties and regions
3. Initial Challenges
   1. Nigeria remained within Commonwealth with British monarch as head of state
   2. Full republic status not achieved until 1963
   3. Ethnic and regional tensions continued
   4. Political rivalries that emerged during the nationalist period persisted
   5. Challenge of managing diversity in the new nation

Key Themes in the Independence Movement

Several important themes characterized Nigeria’s independence movement:

Regional and Ethnic Dynamics

1. Regional Power Bases
   1. Major parties developed strong regional identifications
   2. Political competition increasingly took on ethnic dimensions
   3. Different regions moved toward self-government at different paces
   4. Federal structure aimed to accommodate regional differences
2. Minority Concerns
   1. Non-dominant ethnic groups feared marginalization
   2. Willink Commission (1957-1958) investigated minority concerns
   3. Creation of minority rights protections in independence constitution
   4. Some calls for new states to protect minorities

Ideological Differences

1. Approaches to Independence
   1. Gradualist approach favored by NPC
   2. More immediate demands from NCNC and AG
   3. Different visions of post-colonial Nigeria
   4. Varying attitudes toward continued British influence
2. Economic Models
   1. AG promoted democratic socialism
   2. NCNC advocated a mixed economy
   3. NPC favored more conservative economic approaches
   4. Debate over foreign investment and economic nationalism

International Context

1. Global Decolonization
   1. Nigerian independence part of broader African decolonization
   2. Ghana’s independence in 1957 accelerated Nigerian timeline
   3. Cold War influenced international attitudes toward decolonization
   4. United Nations provided forum for anti-colonial advocacy
2. Pan-African Connections
   1. Nigerian nationalists connected with independence movements in other countries
   2. Pan-African conferences influenced Nigerian nationalist thinking
   3. Nigerian leaders positioned the country as a leader in African affairs
   4. Vision of Nigeria’s role in liberating the rest of Africa

Legacies of the Independence Movement

The independence movement left several important legacies for Nigeria:

1. Political Culture
   1. Established pattern of regional/ethnic political competition
   2. Created tradition of constitutional negotiation
   3. Developed Nigerian political leadership class
   4. Established media’s role in political discourse
2. Federal Structure
   1. Independence constitution established federal system
   2. Regional governments had significant powers
   3. Framework attempted to balance unity and diversity
   4. Set pattern for later state creation and restructuring
3. National Identity
   1. Began process of building Nigerian national identity
   2. Created national symbols and narratives
   3. Established October 1 as a day of national celebration
   4. Promoted idea of Nigeria as an African leader
4. Unresolved Tensions
   1. Regional and ethnic rivalries continued
   2. Debate over appropriate governmental structure remained
   3. Economic development strategies contested
   4. Military intervention in 1966 partly resulted from unresolved conflicts