Introduction – Nigeria History From 1960 Till Date
Nigeria gained independence in 1960. From 1967 to 1970, the country was engulfed in the Biafra War in the southeast, one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.
Following nearly three decades of increasingly restrictive military dictatorships, Nigeria transitioned to a democratic federal republic based on the US model in 1999.
Nigeria is a Federal Republic composed of 36 states and a Capital Territory, governed by an elected President and a bicameral legislature. It operates a presidential system of government with three distinct but complementary arms: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary, each acting as a check on the others.
At the federal level, the Executive branch consists of the President, the Vice President, and the Federal Executive Council. At the state level, it includes the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the State Executive Council.
The Legislature operates at both federal and state levels. The Federal Legislature comprises a 109-member Senate and a 360-member House of Representatives, collectively known as the National Assembly, equivalent to the American Congress. At the state level, the Legislature is known as the House of Assembly.
Under the current constitution, the President, the Governor, their Deputies, and members of the Legislature at both federal and state levels are elected for four-year terms, renewable once. The Senate President leads the Federal Legislature.
The Judiciary interprets laws and adjudicates conflicts between the Executive and the Legislature, functioning through various established courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court, followed by the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, Magistrate Courts, Area Courts, and Customary Courts.
Before Nigeria’s formation, various peoples had their indigenous systems of administration, with recognized political entities like the Benin Empire, Kanem Bornu Empire, Sokoto Caliphate, and Oyo Empire. These empires and kingdoms had established trading connections among themselves and with other peoples.
In the 19th century, the British conquered different parts of what is now Nigeria, establishing control over the regions. These areas were grouped into the Lagos, Niger Coast (Oil River) Protectorate, and the Northern Protectorate. For administrative ease, the Northern and Southern Protectorates (including Lagos and Niger Coast) were amalgamated in 1914, forming the country now known as Nigeria.
British colonial rule led to increasing agitation for self-government, dominating Nigeria’s history from 1922 to 1959. Prominent Nigerians like Sir Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Anthony Enahoro were key figures in the struggle for independence.
Concessions from the British resulted in a series of constitutions, including the Clifford Constitution of 1922, the Richards Constitution of 1946, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, and the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954. Despite these concessions, the clamor for full independence persisted due to social sufferings, discrimination in employment, education, healthcare, recreational facilities, and high taxation.
On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence, administered by a Federal government and three regional governments (East, West, and North). In 1963, the Midwest Region was created, forming a federation of four regions under a parliamentary system until January 1966.
The first military coup in January 1966 marked the beginning of a series of military governments. Military rule continued until 1979 when General Olusegun Obasanjo handed over power to civilian President Shehu Shagari. The second Republic under President Shagari adopted the presidential system but was overthrown in 1983, leading to another period of military rule until 1993. General Ibrahim Babangida’s military government established an interim civilian administration, which lasted three months before another military coup brought General Sani Abacha to power.
General Abacha’s regime (1993-1998) faced significant international opposition due to human rights abuses, resulting in Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth. After Abacha’s sudden death in 1998, General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration addressed human rights issues, released political detainees, and implemented a political transition, restoring democracy in May 1999.
The civilian administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated on May 29, 1999, along with executive governors in the 36 states. The Presidential System features a National Assembly (equivalent to the US Congress) with a Senate and House of Representatives, state assemblies in each of the 36 states, and 774 local governments representing the third tier of government.
Nigeria has experienced military dominance for nearly 30 years. The nation is undergoing a learning process, striving to nurture democracy and its institutions. Since democracy’s restoration, Nigeria has seen significant political transformation, with an increasing number of political parties participating in elections.
The key to Nigeria’s political future lies in sustaining civilian governance. The present government is committed to equitable development, addressing marginalization, and transforming the country according to democratic principles, ensuring peace, progress, and prosperity for all citizens.
