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The path to Nigeria’s independence from the clutch of colonial imperialists can be credited to the consistent determination of some nationalists, without whom Nigeria’s independence wouldn’t have happened on October 1, 1960.
The colonisation of Nigeria by the British Empire officially started in 1900 after the British Government had established its political influence and taken control of the Royal Niger Company, a trading company, that midwifed the establishment of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, which was later joined with the Northern Nigeria Protectorate to form a single entity called Nigeria on January 1, 1914.
With its firmly government established, the British authorities ruled Nigeria for 60 years, although not without resistance and calls for self-government by indigenous nationalists.
The call for independence which started as far back as the 1920s was championed by activists and politicians with media powers.
As Nigeria celebrates its 63rd Independence anniversary, Pulse presents six key figures who paved the way for the feat in 1960.
1. Herbert Olayinka Macaulay
Often referred to as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” Herbert Macaulay was a grandson of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican Bishop of West Africa.
Macaulay was one of the political leaders who strongly opposed colonial policies in Nigeria.
In a bid to further his political views, Macaulay co-founded the Nigerian Daily News, a platform he used to express his opinions and advocated for self-governance.
In 1923, he founded Nigeria’s first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), and in 1944, he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) together with Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He died in 1946 at 81 and was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery.
2. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe
Like Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, a prominent nationalist leader, was one of the driving forces behind Nigeria’s independence attainment in 1960.
Azikiwe played a crucial role in inspiring nationalist sentiments through his writings and speeches. He used his chain of newspapers- the first of which was the West African Pilot - to promote nationalism and pro-African agenda.
Before venturing into politics fully, Azikiwe joined the Nigerian Youth Movement and became an active member of the country's first nationalist organisation.
After resigning from the NYM, he co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), a political party that campaigned for independence and self-governance.
Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first President in 1960, he died in 1996 at 91 in Enugu.
3. Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo
Obafemi Awolowo was a popular nationalist and statement, who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s independence struggle.
As a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement, Awolowo represented Nigeria at the fifth Pan-African Congress in Manchester, a platform dedicated to advancing conversations on the decolonisation of Africa.
Awolowo also committed his skill as a young journalist and resources as the founder of a national newspaper, Nigerian Tribune, in mobilising support for the independence movement, especially in the western region of Nigeria.
He was a key political figure and the leader of the Action Group, a political party, which together with his newspaper served as his vehicles to launder his political philosophies and ambition.
From 1952 to 1959, Awolowo served as the first Premier of the Western Region under Nigeria’s parliamentary system. He was the official Leader of the opposition in the federal parliament to the Balewa government from 1959 to 1963.
He died in 1987, at Ikenne, in Ogun State, at the age of 78.
4. Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello
Ahmadu Bello was a prominent leader from Northern Nigeria fondly referred to as the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Bello’s political knowledge and understanding were broadened after he travelled to England on a government scholarship to study Local Government Administration in 1948.
He was the leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), a political party that represented the interests of the northern region.
After his return from England, he was nominated to represent the province of Sokoto in the regional House of Assembly and subsequently became the first Premier of Northern Nigeria in 1954.
Bello was instrumental in negotiating the terms of independence and ensuring the concerns of the northern part were addressed.
As President of the NPC, Bello had the power to present himself to join the 1960 independence federal government of Nigeria as Nigeria’s Prime Minister, but instead, he chose to remain Premier of Northern Nigeria and devolved the position to his deputy, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Bello was killed in January 1966 at the age of 55 in Nigeria’s first military coup.
5. Anthony Eromosele Enahoro
Anthony Enahoro was a fearless anti-colonial and nationalist activist cum politician with a distinguished career in the press, politics and civil service.
He moved the famous motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953 at 30.
Enahoro has been regarded by academics and many Nigerians, as the “Father of Nigeria State” not only because he moved the motion but also because he followed it through by being a delegate to most of the constitutional conferences leading to Nigeria’s independence following sustained pressure from other activists and nationalists.
He died in December 2012, at the age of 87 in Benin City.
6. Ernest Ikoli
As the first editor of the Daily Times, Ernest Ikoli is remembered in Nigerian history as one of the pacesetters of Nigerian journalism and nationalism struggle.
Ikoli co-founded the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934 to advocate for self-governance and independence from British colonial rule.
Ikoli's NYM promoted the welfare of Nigerians and advocated for self-rule. The political organisation played a crucial role in the nationalist movement in Nigeria with its vigorous campaigns for the independence.
In addition to his political activities, Ikoli was a respected journalist. He worked for several newspapers, including the African Messenger and the Nigerian Daily News. Through his writings, he highlighted the issues faced by Nigerians under colonial rule and called for reforms and independence. He died in 1960.