NATIONALISM AND NATIONALISTS

Nationalism means the feeling of love and pride for one’s country. It encompasses the struggle against oppression and domination, as well as the pursuit of equality and political participation. Nationalism can be described as a movement for national independence.

A nationalist is an individual who loves and actively contributes to the betterment of their country. They take pride in their nation and strive to elevate it. Notable Nigerian nationalists include:

  • Herbert Macaulay

  • Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe

  • Chief Obafemi Awolowo

  • Sir Tafawa Balewa

  • Sir Ahmadu Bello

  • Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

  • Margaret Ekpo

  • Hajiya Gambo Sawaba

  • Queen Amina

  • Kudirat Abiola

  • Chief Anthony Enahoro, etc.

Characteristics of Nigerian Nationalism

  1. Concept of unity.

  2. Predominance of westernized elements in leadership groups.

  3. Development of permanent political associations.

  4. Explicit goal of achieving Nigerian self-government.

Reasons for the Growth of Nigerian Nationalism

  1. Activities of educated elites.

  2. Formation of vibrant political parties.

  3. Economic depression.

  4. Impact of the Second World War.

  5. Discriminatory attitudes of Europeans towards Nigerians.

  6. Influence of Christianity and establishment of schools.

  7. Activities of Pan-African leaders and organizations.

  8. Economic exploitation and dominance.

  9. Role of the press.

  10. Support from the British Labour Party.

Assessment

  1. What is nationalism?

  2. List 10 Nigerian nationalists.

  3. What are the reasons for the growth of Nigerian nationalism?

SOME NIGERIAN NATIONALISTS
SIR HERBERT OLAYINKA MACAULAY

Herbert Olayinka Macaulay, the founding father of the nationalist struggle in Nigeria, was born in Lagos on November 14, 1864. He was a grandson of Bishop Ajayi Crowther. Macaulay studied Civil Engineering in Plymouth, England.

He commenced his nationalist struggle by countering British colonialist claims that they governed with 'the true interests of the natives at heart.' He argued that 'the true interests of the natives at heart are algebraically equal to the length and depth of the white man’s pocket.' In 1908, Macaulay exposed European corruption in handling railway finances and defended the rights of native chiefs whose lands had been taken over by the British, resulting in the colonial government being forced to pay compensation.

On June 24, 1923, Macaulay founded the first political party in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). In 1944, he co-founded the National Council of Nigerians and Cameroons (NCNC) with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. He passed away in Lagos on May 7, 1946.

NNAMDI AZIKIWE

Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe was born on November 16, 1904, and died on May 11, 1996. Widely known as 'Zik of Africa,' Azikiwe served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966. He was born into Igbo parents from Anambra State and studied in the United States at Storer College, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Howard University.

Returning to Africa in 1934, Azikiwe began his career as a journalist in the Gold Coast and advocated for Nigerian and African nationalism. He became active in the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), the country’s first nationalist organization, and co-founded the NCNC with Herbert Macaulay in 1944. Azikiwe became the council’s secretary-general in 1946 before becoming Governor-General on November 16, 1960. He was the first Nigerian named to the Privy Council of the U.K. when Nigeria became a republic in 1963.

CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was born on March 6, 1909, in Ijebu Remo, Ogun State. He attended Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta and Wesley College in Ibadan. In 1927, he enrolled as an external student at the University of London, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Awolowo later studied law in the U.K. at the University of London and was called to the Bar on November 19, 1946.

In 1949, he founded the Nigerian Tribune, a private newspaper through which he aimed to spread nationalist consciousness among Nigerians. Awolowo played a vital role in Nigeria’s independence movement. He was imprisoned for sedition in 1963 but was pardoned in 1966, after which he became Minister of Finance. Awolowo was the first modern leader of the Yoruba and formed the Action Group, leading demands for a federal constitution.

ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December 1912 in Bauchi State. He served as a legislator in Kaduna under the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, and later as a federal legislator nominated to Lagos to become Minister of Works in 1952, and subsequently as Minister of Transport. Balewa served as Prime Minister of Nigeria from 1960 to 1961 and doubled as Foreign Affairs Advocate of Nigeria. His portrait appears on the 5 Naira note, and a university is named in his honour.

AHMADU IBRAHIM BELLO

Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, was knighted as Sir Ahmadu Bello. He built Northern Nigeria and served as its first and only premier from 1954 until his assassination in 1966. As the leader of the Northern People’s Congress, he masterfully created the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC), Bank of the North, and Northern Nigeria Investments Ltd. Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria is named after him, and his portrait is on the 200 Naira banknote.

MALLAM AMINU KANO

Mallam Aminu Kano attended Katsina College before studying at the University of London's Institute of Education. He joined the Northern Elements Progressive Union to challenge the autocratic and feudalistic actions of the Northern government.

SOME NOTABLE FEMALE NIGERIAN NATIONALISTS

Notable female nationalists in Nigeria include:

  • Margaret Ekpo

  • Hajia Gambo Sawaba

  • Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

  • Queen Amina

  • Kudirat Abiola

  1. MARGARET EKPO: A women's rights activist and social mobilizer, Margaret Ekpo was a pioneering female politician in Nigeria's First Republic. She joined the NCNC to represent marginalized groups and, in collaboration with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, protested against killings of coal miners in Enugu in the 1950s. In 1953, Ekpo was nominated by the NCNC to the regional House of Chiefs. She established the Aba Township Women’s Association in 1954 and won a seat in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly in 1961. In 2001, Calabar Airport was renamed in her honour.

  2. GAMBO SAWABA: A women's rights activist, politician, and philanthropist, Gambo Sawaba served as deputy chairman of the Great Nigeria People’s Party and was elected leader of the national women’s wing of NEPU. She campaigned against under-aged marriages and forced labour while advocating for western education in the North. Many institutions, including a general hospital in Kaduna and a hostel at Bayero University, Kano, are named after her.

  3. FUNMILAYO RANSOME-KUTI: An educator, political campaigner, suffragist, and women’s rights activist, Funmilayo was the first female student to attend Abeokuta Grammar School. In 1932, she founded the Abeokuta Ladies Club, initially focused on charity work and later transitioned to political activism. In 1944, she successfully campaigned against local authorities seizing rice from market women under false pretenses.

  4. QUEEN AMINA: Queen Amina reigned for 34 years, dying in battle near Bida in 1610 at the age of 77. Today, she is celebrated as a capable leader, and many institutions, including government secondary schools and dormitories at universities, bear her name. A statue is dedicated to her legacy at the National Arts Theatre in Lagos State.