Development of Political Parties in Nigeria for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 6
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Previous Lesson: Inter-Ethnic Rivalry and Issue of State Creation
Topic: DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA
Subject Matter: PARTIES IN NIGERIA; National democratic party; (NNDP); Nigerian youth movement (NYM); National council of Nigeria and Cameroun citizens; (NCNC)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the National Democratic Party (NNDP), Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), and National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).
• State the origin of each political party.
• Describe the organisational structure of each party.
• Explain the sources of finance for each party.
• Outline the aims and objectives of each party.
• Discuss the performance of each party in its time.
• Mention common features among these early political parties.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the historical significance of early political parties in Nigeria’s development.
• Participate actively in discussions about the characteristics of these parties.

Psychomotor Domain

• Draw a simple timeline showing the emergence of these parties.
• Present a summary of the key features of one of the parties.

Social Domain

• Collaborate with peers to compare and contrast the different political parties.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• A suitable Government textbook for SS 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing names and dates of early political parties.
• Pictures of prominent leaders associated with the parties (e.g., Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe).
• Handouts containing brief profiles of the NNDP, NYM, and NCNC.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for understanding the foundational stages of political party development in Nigeria. It provides students with insights into the origins, structures, and objectives of the earliest political organisations that shaped the country’s political landscape before independence. This knowledge is essential for comprehending contemporary Nigerian politics.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of colonial rule in Nigeria and the concept of political parties as groups that seek to gain and exercise political power.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Development of Political Parties in Nigeria

Political parties are essential institutions in a democratic system, serving as organised groups that articulate public opinion, contest elections, and seek to form governments. In Nigeria, the development of political parties began during the colonial era, driven by nationalist sentiments and the desire for self-governance.

Early Political Parties in Nigeria

The earliest political parties in Nigeria emerged in response to colonial policies and the growing demand for greater indigenous participation in governance. These parties laid the groundwork for future political activism and the eventual struggle for independence.

Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)

The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was Nigeria’s first political party, founded by Herbert Macaulay.

1. Origin: Founded in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay in Lagos. It emerged following the Clifford Constitution of 1922, which allowed for limited African representation in the Legislative Council.
2. Organisational Structure: Primarily based in Lagos, with a leadership council and a network of supporters. It was largely an elitist party, dominated by educated Africans and professionals.
3. Sources of Finance: Relied on membership fees, donations from prominent individuals, and contributions from its elite members.
4. Aims/Objectives:
   1. To secure elective representation for Nigerians in the Legislative Council.
   2. To promote the economic and social welfare of the people of Lagos.
   3. To advocate for Africanisation of the civil service.
   4. To improve educational and health facilities.
5. Performance: Dominated Lagos politics for over a decade, winning all elective seats in the Legislative Council elections from 1923 to 1938. Its influence was largely confined to Lagos.

Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)

The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) emerged as a more radical nationalist movement, challenging the dominance of the NNDP.

1. Origin: Formed in 1934 as the Lagos Youth Movement, later renamed Nigerian Youth Movement in 1938. Key founders included Ernest Ikoli, Samuel Akinsanya, H.O. Davies, and Nnamdi Azikiwe.
2. Organisational Structure: Had a broader national outlook compared to the NNDP, with branches in various parts of Nigeria, though its strength remained in the South-West. It attracted a younger, more educated, and more radical generation of nationalists.
3. Sources of Finance: Funded through membership dues, contributions from its educated members, and public appeals.
4. Aims/Objectives:
   1. To unite all Nigerian youths for nationalistic causes.
   2. To promote Nigerian unity and foster a sense of national identity.
   3. To achieve complete autonomy for Nigeria within the British Empire.
   4. To advocate for better educational opportunities and economic development.
5. Performance: Successfully challenged the NNDP’s dominance in Lagos in the 1938 elections. However, it later faced internal divisions, particularly over tribal issues, which led to the departure of prominent members like Nnamdi Azikiwe.

National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) became one of the most prominent nationalist parties, playing a central role in the struggle for independence.

1. Origin: Founded in 1944 by Herbert Macaulay, with Nnamdi Azikiwe becoming its Secretary-General. It was initially formed as an umbrella organisation of various nationalist groups, trade unions, and cultural associations.
2. Organisational Structure: A truly national party with widespread support across Nigeria, especially in the Eastern and Western regions. It had a strong central leadership and a broad base of membership.
3. Sources of Finance: Derived funds from membership fees, levies on affiliated organisations, donations, and fundraising tours led by its leaders.
4. Aims/Objectives:
   1. To achieve self-government for Nigeria and the Cameroons.
   2. To promote the political, social, and economic advancement of Nigerians.
   3. To foster national unity and cooperation among various ethnic groups.
   4. To advocate for a democratic and independent Nigeria.
5. Performance: Became a leading force in the nationalist movement, organising protests, rallies, and constitutional conferences. It played a crucial role in negotiating Nigeria’s independence.

Common Features Among Early Political Parties

Despite their differences, these early political parties shared several common characteristics:

1. Nationalist Orientation: All were primarily focused on achieving greater self-governance or complete independence from British colonial rule.
2. Urban-Based: Their origins and initial strength were largely concentrated in urban centres, particularly Lagos.
3. Elite Leadership: Led by educated elites, professionals, and intellectuals who had benefited from Western education.
4. Limited Mass Mobilisation: While some, like the NCNC, achieved broader reach, their initial mobilisation efforts were often limited to specific regions or social strata.
5. Ethnic/Regional Undercurrents: Despite calls for national unity, ethnic and regional sentiments often influenced their formation, internal dynamics, and support bases.
6. Focus on Constitutional Reforms: They largely pursued their objectives through constitutional means, advocating for reforms within the colonial system.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Group Work, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating Prior Knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they know about political parties in general and the concept of nationalism in Nigeria.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond by defining political parties and discussing early nationalist movements.

Learning Point: Review of political parties

Step 2: Introduction to Early Political Parties

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the topic, explaining that early political parties were crucial in Nigeria’s journey to independence. The teacher then introduces the NNDP, NYM, and NCNC as key examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively and ask clarifying questions about the historical context.

Learning Point: Emergence of early parties

Step 3: The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the NNDP, focusing on its origin, key leaders (Herbert Macaulay), organisational structure, sources of finance, aims/objectives, and performance.

Pupils’ Activity: Students contribute to the discussion, taking notes on the key aspects of the NNDP.

Learning Point: NNDP’s characteristics

Step 4: The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the formation of the NYM, highlighting its leaders, its more nationalistic outlook compared to the NNDP, its structure, funding, aims, and eventual challenges.

Pupils’ Activity: Students compare the NYM with the NNDP, noting similarities and differences.

Learning Point: NYM’s role

Step 5: The National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Detailed Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher elaborates on the NCNC, discussing its broad base, prominent leaders (Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe), organisational strength, financial strategies, objectives, and its significant role in the independence movement.

Pupils’ Activity: Students engage with the information, asking questions about the NCNC’s impact.

Learning Point: NCNC’s significance

Step 6: Common Features of Early Parties

Time: 3 minutes

Teaching Skill: Synthesis/Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides students to identify and summarise the common features shared by the NNDP, NYM, and NCNC, such as their nationalist goals, urban base, and elite leadership.

Pupils’ Activity: Students list and discuss the common characteristics.

Learning Point: Shared party traits

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Who founded the NNDP and in what year?
2. Mention two aims of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM).
3. What was the primary objective of the NCNC?
4. State two common features among these early political parties.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding party development

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the origins, structures, aims, and features of the NNDP, NYM, and NCNC into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the importance of these early political parties in laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s political future and encourages students to continue exploring Nigerian political history.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and reflect on the lesson’s significance.

Learning Point: Early parties’ importance

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Research and write a short essay (not more than one page) on one of the following:

1. The impact of Herbert Macaulay on the formation and early activities of the NNDP.
2. The reasons for the internal divisions within the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM).
3. How the NCNC managed to achieve a broader national appeal compared to the NNDP.

Lesson Keywords

• NNDP – Nigerian National Democratic Party, Nigeria’s first political party.
• NYM – Nigerian Youth Movement, a nationalist movement that challenged the NNDP.
• NCNC – National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, a major political party in the independence struggle.
• Herbert Macaulay – Founder of the NNDP and a key figure in early Nigerian nationalism.
• Nnamdi Azikiwe – Prominent leader of the NCNC and a key figure in Nigeria’s independence.
• Nationalism – A political ideology involving a strong identification of a group of individuals with a nation.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simplified handouts with bullet points summarising the key aspects of each party and focus on identifying their names and primary objectives. Faster learners will be encouraged to research and present additional details about the leaders and specific events related to each party, or to compare their strategies for achieving political goals.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding, search YouTube for: “Early Political Parties in Nigeria SS3 Government” or “History of NNDP NYM NCNC”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have reviewed the historical context of the NNDP, NYM, and NCNC. Prepare charts or visual aids that clearly display the names, founding dates, and key leaders of each party. During the lesson, guide students through a discussion of each party’s origin, structure, finance, aims, and performance, encouraging them to draw comparisons. Pay attention to common misconceptions about the parties’ roles and influence. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the main teaching points have been discussed and evaluated to ensure understanding before recording. Support weaker learners by simplifying concepts and providing direct answers, while challenging faster learners with probing questions and research tasks. Ensure all students can identify the major characteristics of these foundational political parties by the end of the lesson.