Nigerian Independence Republic and Federation

Subject: History

Class: Primary 5

Term: Third Term

Week: 4 & 5

Topic: Understanding Nigeria’s Government: From Independence to Republic

Sub-topic: Meaning of a Republic, Meaning of a Federation, Structure of Nigeria’s government at independence, The Parliamentary system of the First republic in Nigeria, When and How Nigeria became a Federal Republic

Duration: 2 weeks

Behavioural Objectives:

• Students will understand the concepts of Republic and Federation.
• Students will describe the structure of Nigeria’s government at independence.
• Students will explain the Parliamentary system of the First Republic in Nigeria.
• Students will identify the key events surrounding Nigeria’s transition to a Federal Republic.

Key Vocabulary Words:

1. Republic
2. Federation
3. Independence
4. Parliamentary system
5. Federal Republic

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Primary 5 History
• Textbooks on Nigerian history for primary school level
• Whiteboard and markers
• Pictures or diagrams depicting Nigeria’s government structure at independence
• Worksheets for assessment

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

• Recap the previous lessons on Nigeria’s pre-independence era, including colonial rule and the struggle for independence.
• Discuss the importance of having a government and how it affects our daily lives.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Reading comprehension
• Critical thinking
• Oral communication
• Writing skills

Content :

1. Republic:
   • A country where the people choose leaders to represent them.
   • In a republic, leaders are elected by the people, not chosen by a king or queen. 🗳️
2. Federation:
   • A group of states or regions that come together to form one country.
   • Each state or region has its own government, but they also have a central government that they all follow. 🌐
3. Nigeria’s Government at Independence:
   • Nigeria had a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as the head of government and a ceremonial President.
   • It was made up of different regions, each with its own government. 🇳🇬
4. Parliamentary System of the First Republic in Nigeria:
   • The Prime Minister was the head of government, chosen from the majority party in the parliament.
   • The parliament was made up of elected representatives from each region. 🏛️
5. Nigeria Becoming a Federal Republic:
   • Nigeria became a Federal Republic on October 1, 1963.
   • This means Nigeria became a republic with a president as the head of state and government. 🇳🇬👑

Class Activity Discussion 

1. What is a Republic?
   • A Republic is a country where the people choose leaders to represent them. Leaders are elected by the people.
2. What is a Federation?
   • A Federation is when different states or regions come together to form one country. Each state or region has its own government.
3. How was Nigeria’s government structured at independence?
   • Nigeria’s government had a Prime Minister as the head of government and a ceremonial President. It was made up of different regions, each with its own government.
4. What was the Parliamentary system like in Nigeria’s First Republic?
   • In Nigeria’s First Republic, the Parliamentary system had a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Prime Minister was chosen from the majority party in the parliament.
5. When did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
   • Nigeria became a Federal Republic on October 1, 1963.
6. Who elects leaders in a Republic?
   • Leaders in a Republic are elected by the people through voting.
7. What does each state have in a Federation?
   • In a Federation, each state has its own government to take care of local matters.
8. How many regions did Nigeria have at independence?
   • Nigeria had different regions at independence, each with its own government.
9. Who was the head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic?
   • The head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic was the Prime Minister.
10. Who chose the Prime Minister in Nigeria’s First Republic?
    • The Prime Minister in Nigeria’s First Republic was chosen from the majority party in the parliament.
11. Who is the head of state and government in a Federal Republic?
    • In a Federal Republic like Nigeria, the President is the head of state and government.
12. How are leaders selected in a Republic?
    • Leaders in a Republic are selected through elections where citizens vote for their preferred candidates.
13. What brings different states together in a Federation?
    • In a Federation, different states come together to form one country to work together on common goals and interests.
14. What role did the President play in Nigeria’s First Republic?
    • In Nigeria’s First Republic, the President had a ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister was the head of government.
15. Why did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
    • Nigeria became a Federal Republic to have a president as the head of state and government, marking its independence and self-governance.

Presentation:

1. Step 1: Revision
   • The teacher revises the previous topic, focusing on Nigeria’s struggle for independence and the key figures involved.
   • Meaning, Date, People that Gave Nigeria Her Independence, Key People in Nigeria’s Independence Celebration History Primary 5 Third Term Lesson Notes Week 2 & 3
2. Step 2: Introduction of New Topic
   • The teacher introduces the new topic, explaining the meaning of a Republic and a Federation using simple examples and illustrations.
   • The teacher provides an overview of Nigeria’s government structure at independence, highlighting the roles of the Prime Minister and President.
3. Step 3: Student Participation
   • The teacher encourages students to give their own contributions and share their understanding of the concepts.
   • The teacher corrects any misconceptions and provides additional explanations as needed.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Presenting definitions and explanations using clear and simple language.
• Providing examples and illustrations to aid understanding.
• Facilitating class discussions and answering questions.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listening attentively to the teacher’s explanations.
• Asking questions and seeking clarification when necessary.
• Participating actively in discussions and sharing their thoughts on the topic.

Assessment:

• The teacher assesses students’ understanding through oral questions during the lesson.
• Worksheets may be given to students to complete as homework for further assessment.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What is a Republic?
2. Can you explain what a Federation means?
3. Describe Nigeria’s government structure at independence.
4. Who was the head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic?
5. When did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
6. How was the Prime Minister chosen in Nigeria’s First Republic?
7. What role did the President play in Nigeria’s First Republic?
8. Why did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
9. What are the key events surrounding Nigeria’s transition to a Federal Republic?
10. What are the differences between a Republic and a Federation?
11. A Republic is a country where leaders are ____________ by the people.
    • a) chosen
    • b) born
    • c) appointed
    • d) picked
12. In a Federation, different states or regions come together to form ____________ country.
    • a) one
    • b) many
    • c) no
    • d) their own
13. Nigeria’s government at independence had a Prime Minister as the head of ____________.
    • a) government
    • b) state
    • c) army
    • d) school
14. The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had a Prime Minister chosen from the ____________ party.
    • a) majority
    • b) smallest
    • c) foreign
    • d) oldest
15. Nigeria became a Federal Republic on ____________ 1, 1963.
    • a) October
    • b) August
    • c) July
    • d) December
16. In a Republic, leaders are elected by the ____________.
    • a) people
    • b) animals
    • c) trees
    • d) clouds
17. In a Federation, each state has its own ____________.
    • a) government
    • b) president
    • c) Prime Minister
    • d) football team
18. Nigeria’s government at independence was made up of different ____________.
    • a) regions
    • b) countries
    • c) continents
    • d) islands
19. The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had a ____________ as the head of government.
    • a) Prime Minister
    • b) King
    • c) President
    • d) General
20. Nigeria became a Federal Republic with a ____________ as the head of state and government.
    • a) President
    • b) Prime Minister
    • c) King
    • d) Queen
21. In a Republic, leaders are ____________ by the people.
    • a) chosen
    • b) born
    • c) bought
    • d) found
22. In a Federation, different states or regions come together to form one ____________.
    • a) country
    • b) town
    • c) village
    • d) continent
23. Nigeria’s government at independence had a ____________ as the head of government.
    • a) Prime Minister
    • b) King
    • c) President
    • d) Queen
24. The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had elected representatives from each ____________.
    • a) region
    • b) continent
    • c) country
    • d) planet
25. Nigeria became a Federal Republic on October ____________, 1963.
    • a) 1
    • b) 4
    • c) 10
    • d) 20

Conclusion:

• The teacher goes around the classroom to mark students’ worksheets and provide necessary corrections.
• The teacher reinforces key points discussed during the lesson and encourages students to continue learning about Nigeria’s government and history.