Class: Primary Six
Term: Second term
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme:
Previous Lesson: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria, General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Topic: Military Rule in Nigeria
Content/Learning Area: causes and Effects of Military Coups, Key Military Leaders
Time Allocation: 40 Minutes

Performance Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain: Explain what a military coup is and identify key military leaders in Nigeria’s history.
Affective Domain: Discuss the impact of military rule on Nigerian society and express opinions on democratic governance.
Psychomotor Domain: Create a timeline of major military events in Nigeria’s history.
Social domain: Collaborate with peers to analyze the consequences of military interventions in nigeria.

Reference Materials

Nigerian 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
Abuja Educational Resource Center Scheme of Work
NAPPS national Unified Scheme of Work
Relevant Textbooks
Online Details from Britannica – Military rule

Instructional Materials

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will use the following materials: A chart showing nigerian military rulers and their years in power, a timeline of military takeovers in Nigeria, flashcards with key terms (e.g., “military coup,” “head of state,” “democracy”), and relevant images or videos (if available).

Rationale for the Lesson

Understanding Nigeria’s history of military rule helps students appreciate the importance of democracy and its role in national development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of Nigerian history and the concept of government.

Lesson Content

Military Coups in Nigeria

A military coup is when the military takes control of a country’s government by force. this often involves overthrowing the elected government.

Causes of Military Coups in Nigeria

Military coups occur due to a combination of factors that undermine civilian rule.The following are some reasons why military coups happened in Nigeria:

Political instability
Economic hardship
ethnic tensions
Corruption
Desire for power
Weak democratic institutions
Military ambition
Poor governance
External influence

Effects of Military Rule in Nigeria

Military rule often leads to critically important changes in a country’s political, economic, and social landscape. These include:

Human rights abuses
Suppression of dissent
Economic mismanagement
Political instability
Underdevelopment
Erosion of democratic values
Loss of lives
Increased corruption
Breakdown of law and order

Key Military Leaders in Nigeria

Nigeria has had several military leaders who have shaped its history. Some significant military leaders who ruled Nigeria include:

Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
General Yakubu Gowon
General Murtala Muhammed
General Olusegun Obasanjo
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari
General Ibrahim Babangida
general Sani Abacha
General Abdulsalami Abubakar
General Theophilus Danjuma

Teaching Methods

To deliver this lesson,‌ ⁤the teacher will⁤ adopt⁤ the following methods: Discussion,lecture,storytelling,description,visual aids,group work.

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
teacher’s Activity: Begin with a captivating story about a time of political unrest or a brief review of previous lessons on Nigerian history.
Pupils’ Activity: Listen attentively and participate in the discussion.

step 2: Defining Military coups

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Description
Teacher’s Activity: Explain the meaning of a military coup, using simple language and real-life examples relevant to Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Take notes and ask clarifying questions.

Step 3: Causes of military Coups in Nigeria

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Brainstorming and Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Facilitate a class discussion on the causes of military coups in Nigeria, using the prepared list as a guide.
Pupils’ Activity: Participate actively in the discussion, sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Step 4: Effects of Military Rule

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Discussion
teacher’s Activity: Guide students through a discussion on the effects of military rule, using visual aids and examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Participate in the discussion and take notes.

Step 5: Note-Taking

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Note-Taking
Teacher’s Activity: Guide students in summarizing key points from the lesson.
Pupils’ activity: Write down key points and concepts.

Step 6: evaluation/Review

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Question and Answer
Teacher’s Activity: Ask questions to assess students’ understanding of the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Answer questions to demonstrate their understanding.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary
Teacher’s Activity: Summarize the main points of the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Listen attentively.

Lesson Keywords

Military Coup – A seizure of power by the military.
head of State – The supreme leader of a country.
Democracy – A system of government were power is held by the people.
Governance – The process of governing.
Political Instability – Frequent changes in government.

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

Explain what a military coup is.
List three causes of military coups in Nigeria.
Mention two effects of military rule in Nigeria.

Assignment/Homework

Students will create a timeline of major military events in Nigeria’s history.
Research and write a short paragraph about one of the key military leaders discussed in class.

Differentiation

For slower learners: Provide simplified notes and one-on-one support.
For advanced learners: Encourage research on specific military leaders or events.
For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use visual aids, videos, and group activities.

Note for Teachers

Encourage class participation and discussion to foster critical thinking skills. Adapt the lesson to suit the students’ prior knowledge and learning styles.