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:
- Republic
- Federation
- Independence
- Parliamentary system
- 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 :
- 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. 🗳️
- 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. 🌐
- 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. 🇳🇬
- 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. 🏛️
- 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
- What is a Republic?
- A Republic is a country where the people choose leaders to represent them. Leaders are elected by the people.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- When did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
- Nigeria became a Federal Republic on October 1, 1963.
- Who elects leaders in a Republic?
- Leaders in a Republic are elected by the people through voting.
- What does each state have in a Federation?
- In a Federation, each state has its own government to take care of local matters.
- How many regions did Nigeria have at independence?
- Nigeria had different regions at independence, each with its own government.
- Who was the head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic?
- The head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic was the Prime Minister.
- 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.
- 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.
- How are leaders selected in a Republic?
- Leaders in a Republic are selected through elections where citizens vote for their preferred candidates.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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
- 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.
- 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:
- What is a Republic?
- Can you explain what a Federation means?
- Describe Nigeria’s government structure at independence.
- Who was the head of government in Nigeria’s First Republic?
- When did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
- How was the Prime Minister chosen in Nigeria’s First Republic?
- What role did the President play in Nigeria’s First Republic?
- Why did Nigeria become a Federal Republic?
- What are the key events surrounding Nigeria’s transition to a Federal Republic?
- What are the differences between a Republic and a Federation?
- A Republic is a country where leaders are ____________ by the people.
- a) chosen
- b) born
- c) appointed
- d) picked
- In a Federation, different states or regions come together to form ____________ country.
- a) one
- b) many
- c) no
- d) their own
- Nigeria’s government at independence had a Prime Minister as the head of ____________.
- a) government
- b) state
- c) army
- d) school
- The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had a Prime Minister chosen from the ____________ party.
- a) majority
- b) smallest
- c) foreign
- d) oldest
- Nigeria became a Federal Republic on ____________ 1, 1963.
- a) October
- b) August
- c) July
- d) December
- In a Republic, leaders are elected by the ____________.
- a) people
- b) animals
- c) trees
- d) clouds
- In a Federation, each state has its own ____________.
- a) government
- b) president
- c) Prime Minister
- d) football team
- Nigeria’s government at independence was made up of different ____________.
- a) regions
- b) countries
- c) continents
- d) islands
- The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had a ____________ as the head of government.
- a) Prime Minister
- b) King
- c) President
- d) General
- Nigeria became a Federal Republic with a ____________ as the head of state and government.
- a) President
- b) Prime Minister
- c) King
- d) Queen
- In a Republic, leaders are ____________ by the people.
- a) chosen
- b) born
- c) bought
- d) found
- In a Federation, different states or regions come together to form one ____________.
- a) country
- b) town
- c) village
- d) continent
- Nigeria’s government at independence had a ____________ as the head of government.
- a) Prime Minister
- b) King
- c) President
- d) Queen
- The Parliamentary system in Nigeria’s First Republic had elected representatives from each ____________.
- a) region
- b) continent
- c) country
- d) planet
- 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.