Understanding State Creation in Nigeria 1976

Lesson Plan: State Creation in Nigeria 1976

Subject: History
Class: Primary 4
Term: First Term
Week: Week 2 and 3
Topic: State Creation in Nigeria 1976
Sub-topic: Reasons for the Creation of States in Nigeria in 1976
Duration: 40 Minutes
Age: 9-10 years

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

Define the term state.
List the first set of states created in Nigeria in 1976, their year of creation, and the administration under which they were created.
Identify the governors of these newly created states.
Discuss the reasons behind the creation of states in 1976.
Explain the effects of state creation in Nigeria.
Name the states created from each of the four regions in Nigeria.

Keywords

State
Nigeria
State Creation
Governors
Regions

Set Induction

The teacher will ask the students if they know what a state is and why countries have different states. The teacher will then show a political map of Nigeria and ask students to identify the different states and regions of Nigeria. This engages students and introduces the lesson by linking the topic to their prior knowledge.

Entry Behaviour

The students are familiar with the 36 states and capitals in Nigeria. They know about the political structure of Nigeria, such as how the country is divided into states and regions.

Learning Resources and Materials

Political Map of Nigeria (before and after state creation)
Photographs of General Yakubu Gowon and the 12 state governors of 1976
Textbooks
Whiteboard and Markers
Charts/diagrams showing regions and state boundaries in 1976
Workbooks
Internet/Online information for further exploration

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher will revise basic concepts of Nigeria’s political structure, focusing on the number of states and regions. Students will recall the four regions (North, East, West, Midwest) and how these regions were the basis for dividing Nigeria into smaller states in 1976.

Embedded Core Skills

Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to analyze the reasons for state creation and the effects of such changes.
Digital Literacy: Using online resources to supplement learning and explore state creation further.
Citizenship: Understanding the impact of political decisions on people’s lives.
Leadership and Personal Development: Discussing how the governors of each state played a role in its creation and development.

Learning Materials

Political Map of Nigeria showing the four regions before 1976
Charts of newly created states in 1976
Photographs of key figures like General Murtala Muhammed and the governors of the new states
Internet Access for additional information (optional)

Reference Books

Lagos State Scheme of Work
9-Year Basic Education Curriculum
History Textbooks on Nigerian History

Content

What is a state?
A state is a political unit with a defined territory, government, and the ability to make and enforce laws. A state has borders and provides services to its citizens such as education, healthcare, and law enforcement.
- Example: Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna are all states in Nigeria.
- Explanation: A state can be compared to a large household where the head of the family makes rules for everyone in the house. The state does the same for its citizens.
States Created in Nigeria in 1976
In 1976, under the leadership of General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, Nigeria’s government created 12 new states. These were divided from the four major regions.
- States Created:
  - Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau.
- Reason: The states were created to make it easier for the government to provide services and administer the country more effectively.
Reasons for State Creation
The main reasons for the creation of states in 1976 included:
- Improved Governance: Smaller states allowed for more localized governance, making it easier to address local needs.
- Better Services: Creation of states allowed easier access to services like healthcare, schools, and police stations.
- Increased Representation: By creating more states, more regions of Nigeria were able to have their interests represented at the national level.
Regions before 1976
Before the state creation, Nigeria was divided into four regions:
- North Region
- East Region
- West Region
- Midwest Region
These regions were then broken down to create smaller states to foster better administration and service delivery.
Effects of State Creation
- Decentralization: The creation of smaller states allowed for more local control over resources and decision-making.
- Better Access to Services: People in remote areas could now access government services more easily.
- Political Representation: It gave people in different regions a stronger political voice.

Evaluation Questions (Fill-in-the-Blank)

The first set of states in Nigeria was created in ________ (1976, 1967, 1991).
The administration responsible for the creation of states in 1976 was headed by ________ (General Murtala Muhammed, General Yakubu Gowon, General Olusegun Obasanjo).
The region in Nigeria that was the largest before the creation of new states was ________ (North, West, East).
One of the new states created in 1976 from the East Region was ________ (Cross River, Lagos, Kwara).
The main reason for creating new states in 1976 was to improve ________ (governance, transportation, agriculture).
The government of Nigeria divided the country into ________ (four, five, six) regions before 1976.
The ________ region was divided into the most states in 1976 (North, East, West, Midwest).
In 1976, Nigeria’s government aimed to give citizens more ________ (control, roads, education).
The state of ________ was created from the North Region (Bauchi, Lagos, Imo).
The state of ________ was created from the West Region in 1976 (Ogun, Anambra, Kwara).

Class Activity Discussion: FAQs with Answers

What is a state?
A state is a political unit with defined borders and a government that enforces laws and provides services.
Why were states created in Nigeria in 1976?
To improve governance, better administration, and provide more localized services.
Who was in charge of creating the states in 1976?
General Murtala Muhammed was the leader at the time.
How many states were created in 1976?
12 new states were created.
What were the four regions in Nigeria before 1976?
The regions were North, East, West, and Midwest.
Which state was created from the West Region?
Ogun, Ondo, and Lagos were created from the West.
What is the significance of dividing Nigeria into smaller states?
It made governance easier and allowed for better service delivery.
Which region had the most new states in 1976?
The North Region had four new states.
How did the creation of states affect the people?
It brought government services closer to the people.
What was the effect of state creation on political representation?
It allowed for better political representation at the national level.

Teacher’s Activities

Present the lesson using maps, images, and charts.
Ask students questions and encourage them to share what they know.
Correct misconceptions and guide discussions on the topic.

Learners’ Activities

Students will listen to the lesson, ask questions, and participate in discussions.
They will complete the fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions individually or in pairs.

Assessment (Evaluation Questions)

Define a state.
List three reasons for creating new states in Nigeria in 1976.
Name two states created from the East Region.
Who was in charge of the creation of states in 1976?
How did state creation affect governance in Nigeria?

Conclusion

The teacher will summarize key points, emphasizing the importance of understanding the history of Nigeria’s state creation. Feedback will be provided on the students’ work.

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