Nigeria became a British protectorate in 1901. Colonization lasted
until 1960, when an independence movement succeeded in gaining Nigeria
its independence. Nigeria first became a republic in 1963, but succumbed
to military rule in 1966 after a bloody coup d'état. A separatist
movement later formed the Republic of Biafra in 1967, leading to the
three-year Nigerian Civil War. Nigeria became a republic once again
after a new constitution was written in 1979. However, the republic was
short-lived, when the military led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari
seize again four years later. Buhari was overthrown and a new republic
was founded in August 1993, but was dissolved again by General Sani
Abacha in November 1993. Abacha died in 1998 and a fourth republic was
later established the following year, ending three decades of
intermittent military rule.
Some of the Important Nigerian Personalities Who Contributed immensely to the attainment of Independence are
1. Herbert Macaulay
He was born in 1864. He was the grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowther and trained as an engineer and the first Nigerian to own a car and also the first Nigerian to establish a Political party in 1922.
2. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe
Dr Nnamdi Azikwe was born at Zungeru, Niger State on 16th November, 1904. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was the fore-front in the fight for Nigeria Independence. He also become the Governor General as well as president of Nigeria, between 1st October, 1960 and 15th January 1966. He was the Presidential Candidate and the leader of the defunct Nigeria People Party (NPP) between 1979 and 1983. He died on 11th May 1996.
3. Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was born at Ikenne Ogun State on 6th march 1909. He Studied privately to pass the Bachelor of Commerce degree of London University in 1946. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first Premier of Western Region in 1954. He also introduced free education in the then western Region in 1955. He was among the leaders who fought for Nigeria's Independence. He was the presidential candidate of the Unity party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983. He died on 9th May, 1987 and was buried on 6th June, 1987.
4. Sir Ahmadu Bello
Sir Ahmadu Bello was born at Rabahin 1910. He was the 1st President of the Northern peoples party (NPP) in 1951. He was among the leaders who fought for Nigeria's independence. He was also the former premier of Northern region. He was killed in the 1966 Military coup-detat in Nigeria.
5. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
He was born in 1912. He was adequately educated and quite influential. He was the co-founder of the Northern People's Congress. He contributed immensely to the attainment of independence. He was the first Prime Minister and also led the country to attain a Republican status. He was killed in 1966 coup-detat.
1. Herbert Macaulay
He was born in 1864. He was the grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowther and trained as an engineer and the first Nigerian to own a car and also the first Nigerian to establish a Political party in 1922.
2. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe
Dr Nnamdi Azikwe was born at Zungeru, Niger State on 16th November, 1904. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was the fore-front in the fight for Nigeria Independence. He also become the Governor General as well as president of Nigeria, between 1st October, 1960 and 15th January 1966. He was the Presidential Candidate and the leader of the defunct Nigeria People Party (NPP) between 1979 and 1983. He died on 11th May 1996.
3. Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was born at Ikenne Ogun State on 6th march 1909. He Studied privately to pass the Bachelor of Commerce degree of London University in 1946. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first Premier of Western Region in 1954. He also introduced free education in the then western Region in 1955. He was among the leaders who fought for Nigeria's Independence. He was the presidential candidate of the Unity party of Nigeria (UPN) between 1979 and 1983. He died on 9th May, 1987 and was buried on 6th June, 1987.
4. Sir Ahmadu Bello
Sir Ahmadu Bello was born at Rabahin 1910. He was the 1st President of the Northern peoples party (NPP) in 1951. He was among the leaders who fought for Nigeria's independence. He was also the former premier of Northern region. He was killed in the 1966 Military coup-detat in Nigeria.
5. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
He was born in 1912. He was adequately educated and quite influential. He was the co-founder of the Northern People's Congress. He contributed immensely to the attainment of independence. He was the first Prime Minister and also led the country to attain a Republican status. He was killed in 1966 coup-detat.