Development of Political Parties in Nigeria, NPN, UPN and NPP for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Development of Political Parties
Previous Lesson: Development of Political Parties in Nigeria, Action Group
Topic: DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA (Cont.)
Subject Matter: PARTIES IN NIGERIA (Cont.); National Party of Nigeria (NPN); Unity Party of Nigeria. (UPN); Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain

• Identify the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and Nigerian People’s Party (NPP).
• Describe the emergence and formation of NPN, UPN, and NPP.
• Explain the structure of NPN, UPN, and NPP.
• State the sources of finance for NPN, UPN, and NPP.
• Outline the objectives and achievements of NPN, UPN, and NPP.
• Discuss the crisis that affected the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP).

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the historical significance of political parties in Nigeria’s Second Republic.
• Recognize the challenges inherent in party development and maintenance.

Psychomotor Domain

• Participate actively in discussions about the political parties.
• Take accurate notes on the key features of NPN, UPN, and NPP.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Charts showing the symbols of NPN, UPN, and NPP.
• Textbooks on Government for Senior Secondary Schools.
• Whiteboard and markers.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for students to understand the evolution of political parties in Nigeria, particularly during the Second Republic. It provides insight into the foundational structures, ideologies, and challenges faced by major political actors, which is essential for comprehending contemporary Nigerian politics and democratic development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have prior knowledge of the general meaning of political parties, their functions, and the history of political party formation in Nigeria up to the First Republic.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA (Cont.)

National Party of Nigeria (NPN)

The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was one of the dominant political parties during Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979-1983).

1. Emergence/Formation: The NPN emerged from the National Movement, a group of prominent politicians and technocrats from various parts of Nigeria, particularly the North. It was officially launched in September 1978.
2. Structure: The NPN had a broad-based national structure with a strong presence across all states. Its leadership comprised influential figures from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, although it was largely perceived as a northern-dominated party.
3. Sources of Finance: The party’s finances were largely derived from wealthy individuals, businessmen, contractors, and donations from supporters across the country.
4. Objectives:
   1. To promote national unity and integration.
   2. To ensure peace, stability, and orderly progress in Nigeria.
   3. To foster economic development and social justice.
   4. To protect and uphold the fundamental human rights of all citizens.
5. Achievements: The NPN won the 1979 presidential election with Alhaji Shehu Shagari as president. It formed the federal government and implemented various development programmes, including the Green Revolution for agriculture and housing projects.

Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was a major progressive political party during the Second Republic, known for its welfarist programmes.

1. Emergence/Formation: The UPN was founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in September 1978. It was largely an offshoot of the Action Group (AG) of the First Republic, drawing significant support from the Western region of Nigeria.
2. Structure: The UPN had a well-organised and disciplined structure, particularly strong in the Yoruba-speaking states. Its leadership was highly centralised around Chief Awolowo.
3. Sources of Finance: The party was primarily financed through membership dues, contributions from loyal supporters, and donations from individuals and groups who believed in its welfarist ideology.
4. Objectives:
   1. To provide free education at all levels.
   2. To provide free health services for all citizens.
   3. To ensure full employment for all able-bodied citizens.
   4. To integrate the rural areas with urban centres through massive infrastructure development.
5. Achievements: The UPN controlled the governments of five states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Bendel) in the Second Republic. It successfully implemented its four cardinal programmes of free education, free health, integrated rural development, and full employment in these states.

Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)

The Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) was another significant political force during the Second Republic, primarily strong in the Eastern parts of Nigeria.

1. Emergence/Formation: The NPP was formed in September 1978, initially as a broad-based party but later became largely associated with Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and gained its strongest support in the Igbo-speaking states.
2. Structure: The NPP had a significant presence in the East Central, Plateau, and Rivers states. Its structure was influenced by the personality of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as its presidential candidate.
3. Sources of Finance: Funding for the NPP came from individual contributions, membership fees, and donations from businessmen and supporters, particularly from its strongholds.
4. Objectives:
   1. To promote national unity and reconciliation.
   2. To ensure equitable distribution of national resources.
   3. To foster economic development and social welfare.
   4. To uphold democratic principles and the rule of law.
5. Achievements: The NPP controlled three states (Anambra, Imo, and Plateau) during the Second Republic. It also formed an alliance with the NPN at the federal level for a period after the 1979 elections.
6. Crisis in the NPP: The NPP experienced internal crises, primarily due to personality clashes and ideological differences among its leaders. A major crisis arose from disagreements over the party’s alliance with the NPN, leading to factions and defections. This internal instability weakened the party’s cohesion and effectiveness.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Explanation, Question and Answer, Guided Practice

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Activating prior knowledge

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher welcomes the students and briefly reviews the previous lesson on the general concept of political parties and their role in a democracy. The teacher then introduces the topic of the day, focusing on specific parties of the Second Republic.

Pupils’ Activity: Students recall previous knowledge about political parties and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Review of political parties

Step 2: National Party of Nigeria (NPN) – Formation and Structure

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the emergence and formation of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), highlighting its key figures and its broad-based national structure. The teacher uses a chart to show the party’s symbol.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the chart, and ask questions for clarification on NPN’s formation and structure.

Learning Point: NPN formation and structure

Step 3: NPN – Finance, Objectives, and Achievements

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the sources of finance for the NPN, its main objectives, and its notable achievements, including winning the 1979 presidential election and key development programmes.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen and note down the financial sources, objectives, and achievements of the NPN.

Learning Point: NPN finance, aims, success

Step 4: Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) – Formation and Structure

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), explaining its formation by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and its strong regional base. The teacher also shows the UPN symbol.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe the UPN symbol, and compare its formation with that of the NPN.

Learning Point: UPN formation and structure

Step 5: UPN – Finance, Objectives, and Achievements

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Analysis

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the UPN’s funding sources, its welfarist objectives (free education, free health, etc.), and its achievements in the states it controlled.

Pupils’ Activity: Students engage in discussion about UPN’s programmes and note down the key points.

Learning Point: UPN finance, aims, success

Step 6: Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) – Formation, Objectives, and Crisis

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP), its formation, key objectives, and achievements. The teacher then leads a discussion on the internal crisis that affected the NPP, including causes and effects.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, discuss the NPP’s crisis, and note down its formation, objectives, and the nature of its internal problems.

Learning Point: NPP formation, aims, crisis

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. Mention two objectives of the NPN.
2. Who founded the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)?
3. State one achievement of the UPN in the states it controlled.
4. What was a major cause of crisis in the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP)?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding political parties

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 NPN, UPN, and NPP into their notebooks.

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

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Consolidation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarizes the lesson by reiterating the importance of understanding the roles and characteristics of these major political parties in Nigeria’s Second Republic.

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

Learning Point: Summary of key parties

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Compare and contrast the main objectives of the NPN and UPN.
2. Discuss the impact of the internal crisis on the Nigerian People’s Party (NPP).
3. Identify two prominent figures associated with each of the three parties discussed (NPN, UPN, NPP).

Lesson Keywords

• NPN – National Party of Nigeria, a dominant party in Nigeria’s Second Republic.
• UPN – Unity Party of Nigeria, a progressive party founded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
• NPP – Nigerian People’s Party, a party led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
• Political Party – An organization that seeks to achieve political power by electing its members to public office.
• Second Republic – The period of democratic rule in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.

Differentiation

For learners who may struggle, the teacher will provide simplified summaries of each party’s key features and use visual aids more extensively. Faster learners will be encouraged to research further into the specific policies implemented by each party during their time in power and present their findings to the class.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of Nigerian political parties in the Second Republic, search on YouTube for: Nigerian Second Republic Political Parties SS3 Government

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure you have charts or visual representations of the NPN, UPN, and NPP symbols ready. Begin by briefly recapping the general concept of political parties to connect with prior knowledge. Proceed systematically through each party, discussing their formation, structure, finance, objectives, and achievements. For the NPP, dedicate sufficient time to the internal crisis, explaining its causes and consequences. Encourage active student participation through questions and discussions throughout the lesson. Students should copy the Board Summary notes after the evaluation to ensure they have accurate information for revision. Provide clear instructions for the homework assignment to reinforce learning.