63 Remarkable Things About Nigeria At Independence
Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, marked a significant moment in its history. Here are 63 remarkable things about Nigeria at independence:
1. British Colony: Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule.
2. First Prime Minister: Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the first Prime Minister.
3. Constitutional Monarchy: Nigeria adopted a parliamentary system with a constitutional monarchy.
4. Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch at the time.
5. Federal Structure: Nigeria established a federal system of government.
6. Three Regions: Nigeria was divided into three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern.
7. Parliamentary Democracy: Nigeria’s government followed a parliamentary democracy.
8. Flag: Nigeria’s flag featured two green stripes and a white stripe in the middle.
9. National Anthem: “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was the national anthem.
10. National Motto: “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.”
11. Common Law: Nigeria adopted the British common law legal system.
12. Official Language: English became the official language.
13. Education: The country invested in education, with universities and colleges established.
14. Infrastructure: Development of roads, railways, and other infrastructure began.
15. Agriculture: Agriculture was a vital sector of the economy.
16. Cocoa Production: Nigeria was a leading cocoa producer.
17. Export of Resources: Nigeria exported palm oil, groundnuts, and rubber.
18. Oil Discovery: Commercial oil production started in the Niger Delta region.
19. Population: Nigeria’s population was around 45 million at independence.
20. Diverse Ethnic Groups: Nigeria was home to numerous ethnic groups.
21. Cultural Diversity: A rich cultural heritage with diverse traditions.
22. Nnamdi Azikiwe: He was the first President of Nigeria.
23. Ahmadu Bello: A prominent leader in the Northern Region.
24. Obafemi Awolowo: A key figure in the Western Region.
25. Civil Service: A well-structured civil service was established.
26. Lagos Capital: Lagos was the capital city.
27. Newspapers: Newspapers like “The Daily Times” were influential.
28. Currency: Nigerian Pound was the official currency.
29. Independence Celebrations: Festive celebrations marked the day.
30. Diplomatic Relations: Nigeria established diplomatic ties with many nations.
31. National Symbols: Development of national symbols like the coat of arms.
32. Foreign Aid: Nigeria received foreign aid for development.
33. UN Membership: Nigeria joined the United Nations.
34. Nigerian Air Force:
Formation of the Nigerian Air Force.
35. Nigerian Navy: Establishment of the Nigerian Navy.
36. Federal Elections: First federal elections were held in 1959.
37. House of Representatives: Formation of the House of Representatives.
38. Independence Act: The Nigeria Independence Act of 1960.
39. Constitution: The 1960 constitution defined the new nation.
40. Peaceful Transition: Independence was achieved peacefully.
41. Pan-Africanism: Nigeria played a role in Pan-African movements.
42. African Unity: Advocated for African unity and independence.
43. Cold War Era: Nigeria navigated global politics during the Cold War.
44. Non-Aligned Movement: Nigeria pursued a non-aligned foreign policy.
45. Commonwealth: Nigeria joined the British Commonwealth.
46. Women’s Rights: Efforts towards women’s rights and empowerment.
47. Infrastructure Projects: Initiated major infrastructure projects.
48. Telecommunications: Expansion of telecommunications services.
49. Industrialization: Promoted industrialization efforts.
50. Youth Empowerment: Initiatives for youth development.
51. National Parks: Creation of national parks and wildlife reserves.
52. Export Diversification: Efforts to diversify exports.
53. Nationalization: Some industries were nationalized.
54. Independence Day Parade: A grand parade in Lagos.
55. Indigenous Leaders: Emergence of indigenous leaders.
56. Foreign Policy: Engagement in international diplomacy.
57. Pan-Africanism: Influential role in Pan-African movements.
58. African Union: Nigeria’s involvement in the African Union.
59. Economic Growth: Positive economic prospects.
60. Regional Cooperation: Encouraged regional cooperation.
61. Educational Expansion: Increased access to education.
62. Health Services: Expansion of healthcare services.
63. Hopes for the Future: A nation full of hope for the future.
These 63 aspects reflect Nigeria’s complex and diverse history at the time of its independence.
- Sodiq Lawal
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
