Military Rule in Nigeria: Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi (15 January – 25 July 1966) History Primary 6 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6
Lesson Plan: History Primary 6 First Term, Week 6
Subject: History
Class: Primary 6
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 10-11 years
Topic: Military Rule in Nigeria: Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi (15 January – 25 July 1966)
Sub-topic: Understanding Military Rule and the January 1966 Coup
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of a military coup d’état.
- Classify the three arms of the military and their functions.
- List the characteristics of a military regime.
- Name the first military Head of State and the coup plotters of January 1966.
- List the causes and effects of the first military coup.
- Relate the shortcomings of Ironsi’s administration.
Keywords
- Military coup d’état
- Arms of the military
- Military regime
- Head of State
- Coup plotters
- Shortcomings
Set Induction
The teacher will start by discussing the concept of a coup d’état and asking pupils if they have heard about any historical coups in other countries.
Entry Behavior
Pupils have some knowledge of Nigerian history and the concept of leadership changes.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Pictures of Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi
- Charts showing the arms of the military
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
The teacher will connect this lesson to previous discussions about Nigeria’s political history, emphasizing the transition from civilian to military rule.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical analysis
- Understanding historical events
- Communication skills
Instructional Materials
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector (optional)
- Handouts with charts on military arms
Content
1. Military Coup d’état
A military coup d’état is a sudden, illegal overthrow of a government by the military. It usually involves the seizure of power from the existing government.
2. Arms of the Military
- Army: Responsible for land-based operations and security.
- Navy: Responsible for naval and maritime defense.
- Air Force: Responsible for air defense and support.
3. Characteristics of a Military Regime
- Centralized power
- Suspension of democratic processes
- Control over media and public expression
- Strict enforcement of laws
4. First Military Head of State and January 1966 Coup Plotters
- First Military Head of State: Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi
- Coup Plotters: Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, and other junior officers
5. Causes and Effects of the First Military Coup
Causes:
- Ethnic tensions
- Corruption in government
- Political instability
Effects:
- Overthrow of the civilian government
- Introduction of military rule
- Short-term instability and confusion
6. Shortcomings of Ironsi’s Administration
- Inability to address ethnic divisions
- Failure to restore democratic governance
- Ineffective handling of political and military opposition
Evaluation (15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options)
- A military coup d’état is a ______ takeover of the government.
a) Peaceful
b) Illegal
c) Democratic
d) Legal - The three arms of the military are the Army, Navy, and ______.
a) Police
b) Air Force
c) Intelligence
d) Border Patrol - Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi was the first ______ of Nigeria.
a) Prime Minister
b) Military Head of State
c) President
d) Governor - The January 1966 coup was led by Major General ______.
a) Yakubu Gowon
b) Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu
c) Olusegun Obasanjo
d) Muhammadu Buhari - One characteristic of a military regime is the ______ of democratic processes.
a) Support
b) Enhancement
c) Suspension
d) Promotion - The Navy is responsible for ______ defense.
a) Land
b) Air
c) Sea
d) Border - The causes of the January 1966 coup included ethnic tensions and ______.
a) Economic growth
b) Government stability
c) Corruption
d) Social reforms - One effect of the first military coup was the ______ of the civilian government.
a) Reinforcement
b) Restoration
c) Overthrow
d) Strengthening - The Army is responsible for ______ operations.
a) Maritime
b) Air
c) Land
d) Cyber - Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was a ______ officer involved in the January 1966 coup.
a) Senior
b) Junior
c) Retired
d) Civilian - One shortcoming of Ironsi’s administration was his failure to address ______ divisions.
a) Economic
b) Ethnic
c) Social
d) Religious - The Air Force handles ______ defense.
a) Maritime
b) Ground
c) Air
d) Economic - The January 1966 coup led to the introduction of ______ rule.
a) Civilian
b) Military
c) Monarchical
d) Democratic - Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi’s administration was known for its ______ control.
a) Democratic
b) Limited
c) Centralized
d) Regional - The military coup of January 1966 was caused by political ______.
a) Stability
b) Corruption
c) Prosperity
d) Development
Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQ with Answers)
- What is a military coup d’état?
A sudden, illegal takeover of a government by the military. - What are the three arms of the military?
Army, Navy, and Air Force. - Who was the first military Head of State in Nigeria?
Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi. - Who were the coup plotters of January 1966?
Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and other junior officers. - What caused the January 1966 coup?
Ethnic tensions, corruption, and political instability. - What is one characteristic of a military regime?
Suspension of democratic processes. - What was a major effect of the January 1966 coup?
Overthrow of the civilian government and introduction of military rule. - What role does the Navy play in the military?
Maritime and naval defense. - What were some shortcomings of Ironsi’s administration?
Inability to address ethnic divisions and restore democratic governance. - What is the function of the Army?
Land-based operations and security. - What was one of the causes of the first military coup?
Corruption in government. - What does a military regime typically control?
Media and public expression. - Who was involved in the coup of January 1966?
Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. - What is a feature of a military regime?
Strict enforcement of laws. - What was a major effect of Ironsi’s administration?
Short-term instability and confusion.
Presentation
Step 1: The teacher revises the concept of military rule and previous coups in other countries.
Step 2: The teacher introduces Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi’s role in the January 1966 coup and discusses its causes and effects.
Step 3: Pupils are invited to discuss their thoughts on military rule and its impact on Nigeria, with the teacher providing corrections as needed.
Teacher’s Activities
- Explain the concept of military coups and their characteristics.
- Describe the arms of the military and their functions.
- Discuss the causes, effects, and shortcomings of Ironsi’s administration.
- Engage pupils in discussions and answer questions.
Learners’ Activities
- Listen to the explanation and take notes.
- Participate in class discussions about the January 1966 coup.
- Complete the fill-in-the-blank questions and answer the FAQ.
Assessment
- Review pupils’ answers to the fill-in-the-blank questions and class activity discussion.
- Evaluate understanding through participation in discussions.
Evaluation Questions
- What is a military coup d’état?
- Name the three arms of the military and their functions.
- Who was the first military Head of State in Nigeria?
- What were the causes of the January 1966 coup?
- What were the effects of the first military coup?
- Describe the characteristics of a military regime.
- Who were the coup plotters of January 1966?
- List some shortcomings of Ironsi’s administration.
- What role does the Navy play?
- How did the January 1966 coup affect Nigeria’s political landscape?
Conclusion
The teacher will mark the pupils’ work and provide feedback on their understanding. A brief summary of the key points of the lesson will be provided.