Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 9
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: Nigerian Political History
Previous Lesson: Babangida Regime Continued: Socio-Economic and Women Empowerment Programmes.
Topic: THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACY
Subject Matter: Meaning of democracy (government of the people through elected representatives), governance, interim national government, return of the military 1993-1998

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define democracy.
Explain the concept of an Interim National Government (ING).
Describe the circumstances surrounding the return of military rule in Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of stable democratic governance in national development.
Value the role of citizens in upholding democratic principles.

Psychomotor Domain:

Analyze the historical events that led to military intervention in Nigeria.
Identify key characteristics of democratic challenges during the period under study.

Discuss the impact of military rule on Nigerian society.
Promote dialogue on peaceful democratic transitions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Comprehensive History for Senior Secondary Schools by J.B. Adekunle
https://www.waecdirect.org
https://www.nigerianfinder.com

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Maps of Nigeria highlighting key political zones.
Pictures of prominent political figures from the 1993-1998 period.
Charts illustrating the timeline of military rule and democratic transitions.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the challenges faced by democracy in Nigeria, particularly the periods of military interruption. It enables pupils to appreciate the efforts made to establish and sustain democratic governance in the country.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have a basic understanding of different forms of government and a general knowledge of Nigeria’s political history.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE CHALLENGES OF DEMOCRACY

Meaning of Democracy

Democracy is a system of government where the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation, usually involving periodically held free elections.

Governance under Military Interruption

Military interruption refers to periods when the military takes over control of the government, suspending democratic institutions and processes. During such times, governance is typically characterized by decrees, lack of political freedom, and often human rights abuses.

Interim National Government (ING)

An Interim National Government (ING) is a temporary administration established to manage the affairs of a country for a short period, often during a political transition or crisis. In Nigeria, the ING was famously established in August 1993, led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Its mandate was to organize new elections and hand over power to a democratically elected government.

Return of the Military (1993-1998)

The Interim National Government (ING) was short-lived. General Sani Abacha, then Minister of Defence, seized power in November 1993, marking another return of military rule. This period (1993-1998) was characterized by:

Suppression of political opposition.
Detention of pro-democracy activists.
Annulment of the June 12 election results.
A planned transition program that was widely seen as a ploy for Abacha to perpetuate himself in power.
Economic sanctions from international bodies.
Human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to recall different forms of government they have learned. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking what happens when a country’s democratic process is interrupted.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and connect it to previous knowledge.

Step 2: Meaning of Democracy

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines democracy as a system of government by the people, through their elected representatives. The teacher explains key characteristics such as free and fair elections, rule of law, and protection of human rights.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the fundamental definition and characteristics of democracy.

Step 3: Governance under Military Interruption

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses how governance operates during military interruptions, highlighting the suspension of the constitution, rule by decrees, and the absence of elected representatives. The teacher uses examples from Nigeria’s history.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and note the differences between democratic and military governance.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the nature and implications of military rule on governance.

Step 4: Interim National Government (ING)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils what they understand by an “interim government.” The teacher then explains the concept of the Interim National Government (ING) in Nigeria, its purpose, and the circumstances of its formation in 1993.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils offer their explanations and listen as the teacher elaborates on the ING, taking notes.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the concept and context of the Interim National Government in Nigeria.

Step 5: Return of the Military (1993-1998)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses maps and pictures to illustrate the political landscape during the return of military rule in 1993 under General Sani Abacha. The teacher narrates the key events, policies, and challenges of this period until 1998.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the maps and pictures, listen to the narration, and identify key figures and events.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a visual and historical understanding of military rule from 1993-1998.

Step 6: Challenges of Democracy

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Facilitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a brief discussion on the general challenges democracy faced during the periods of military interruption and even during attempts at civilian rule. The teacher guides pupils to identify issues like corruption, ethnic divisions, and weak institutions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss and identify various challenges to democracy in Nigeria, relating them to the period studied.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the various challenges democracy faces.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define democracy in your own words.
What is an Interim National Government (ING)?
Mention two characteristics of governance under military interruption.
Identify two key events during the return of military rule in Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of understanding Nigeria’s political history and the challenges to democracy. The teacher then gives an assignment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are tasked with further research.

Lesson Keywords

Democracy – A system of government where power is vested in the people.
Governance – The process of governing a country or organization.
Interim National Government – A temporary government formed during a transition or crisis.
Military Rule – Governance by the armed forces, typically non-democratic.
Challenges – Difficulties or obstacles faced by a system or process.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research specific decrees or policies enacted during Abacha’s regime. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified definitions and focus on core concepts through direct questioning and visual aids.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have updated maps and clear pictures to enhance visual learning, especially when discussing the return of the military. Encourage open discussion while maintaining classroom discipline and focus on historical facts. Emphasize the long-term impact of military interruptions on Nigeria’s democratic development.