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Military Heads Of State, General Murtala Mohammed for Primary 6

General Murtala Mohammed was Nigeria’s fourth military Head of State. His leadership was marked by reforms, discipline, and a vision for national development.

Royal AlikorByRoyal AlikorPublishedMar 27, 2025Reading5 minComments0

Class: Primary 6
Term: ⁤ 2nd Term
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon
Topic: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria ⁤– General Murtala Mohammed
Content/Learning ⁢Area: General Murtala Mohammed
Time Allocation: 40⁢ minutes


Performance Objectives

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

  • Cognitive Domain: Describe ⁣the life of General Murtala Mohammed,mention his achievements,and​ state the dates and ‍period of his ‌rule.
  • affective⁤ Domain: Discuss ⁢the leadership qualities of General Murtala Mohammed.
  • Psychomotor Domain: Identify general Murtala Mohammed’s image in a ​picture⁣ or video.
  • Social Domain: Appreciate the contributions ⁣of General Murtala Mohammed to Nigeria’s development.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

  • Nigerian 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
  • Abuja Educational Resource Center Scheme of Work
  • NAPPS national Unified Scheme of Work
  • Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

To⁣ deliver​ this lesson, the teacher will ​use the following materials: a map of Nigeria, photographs⁤ of General Murtala Mohammed, a short documentary video highlighting his leadership, and ⁤flashcards with critically important facts ‍about his rule.


Rationale ⁤for the Lesson

studying General Murtala​ Mohammed helps pupils ‌appreciate impactful leadership and understand key ‍milestones in Nigeria’s military history.


Prerequisite/previous Knowledge

Pupils have ⁢previously studied military Heads of State like General Yakubu gowon and are familiar with Nigeria’s history of military governance.


Lesson Content

Military Heads Of state In Nigeria – General Murtala ‍Mohammed

General Murtala Mohammed was one of⁢ Nigeria’s most influential military leaders. ⁤Known for his bold reforms and brief but⁢ impactful​ rule, his leadership period remains notable in Nigeria’s⁤ military and political history.

Early Life and‌ military Career

Murtala Ramat Mohammed was born on November 8, ‌1938, in Kano, Northern Nigeria. He received his⁣ early education in Kano and​ later joined the Nigerian Army in‌ 1958.He trained in Ghana and later at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in ‍the⁤ UK. Rising through the ranks, he ‍gained recognition for his leadership and ⁣discipline.

Becoming Head of state

Murtala Mohammed became Nigeria’s Head of State on July 29, 1975, after a bloodless coup that removed General ⁣Yakubu Gowon from power. His administration was characterized by decisiveness, integrity,⁢ and a no-nonsense approach ⁣to governance.He was 37 years ​old when he assumed power, making him one of Nigeria’s youngest leaders ⁣at the time.

Major Achievements in Office

General Murtala implemented significant reforms during his short time in office. Key achievements include:

The following are some of his major​ achievements in office:

  1. Creation of seven new states: Bauchi, Benue, borno, Imo, Niger, Ogun, and ondo in 1976, bringing the total to 19 states at ⁣the time.
  2. Initiation of the movement of ⁤Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja ‌for better ⁣centrality ⁢and administrative ease.
  3. Reformation of the Nigerian Civil Service to eliminate corruption ⁤and inefficiency.
  4. Mass retirement​ of corrupt or inactive public servants to restore discipline and accountability.
  5. Introduction of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme to increase literacy.
  6. ⁣Strengthening of Nigeria’s ⁣foreign policy, especially within ⁤the Economic Community of West African States ​(ECOWAS).

Assassination and Legacy

On ​February 13,1976,General Murtala mohammed was assassinated ⁣in Lagos ⁤during an attempted coup led by Lieutenant Colonel​ Buka Suka Dimka. Despite ruling for only 200 ⁣days, ​his ⁢legacy endures. ⁤He is‍ remembered for his fearlessness, patriotic drive, and ⁢commitment to national unity. ‌The Murtala Muhammed ⁣International Airport in Lagos is named in his honor.

Leadership Style and Influence

murtala’s leadership ​style was ⁢assertive and reform-focused. He believed ⁤in discipline,transparency,and⁤ swift action. His ability to command⁣ respect and drive national reforms in a short time inspired future ‍generations ​of‍ Nigerian leaders.


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 mins
teaching Skill: Set ‍Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Asks pupils to recall previous military rulers and introduces Murtala Mohammed using visuals.
Pupils’ activity: Respond and observe pictures.

Step 2: Early Life and‌ Career

Time: 7 mins
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s activity: Explains Murtala’s early life using a map ‌of ⁤Nigeria and photos.
Pupils’ ​Activity: ‌ Listen and identify⁣ Kano on ‌the map.

Step 3: ⁢Rise‌ to Power

Time: 6 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s⁢ Activity: Discusses the coup of 1975 and how Murtala became​ Head of State.
Pupils’ Activity: Ask questions and take notes.

Step 4: Achievements

Time: 6⁣ mins
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Explains major reforms and asks pupils their views on state creation and civil service reforms.
Pupils’ Activity: Contribute to group discussion.

Step 5: Assassination⁢ and Legacy

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: Plays a video clip about his assassination and legacy.
Pupils’​ Activity: Watch and discuss his ⁤impact.

Step 6: Note-Taking

Time: ‍ 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Writing
Teacher’s Activity: Writes summary points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Copy the notes.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: ⁤ Asks review questions based on lesson content.Pupils’ Activity: Answer questions.

Objective-aligned checks:

  1. Describe the life of General Murtala Mohammed,mention his achievements,and state the dates and period of his rule.
  2. Identify general Murtala Mohammed’s image in a picture or video.

Step 8: ‍Conclusion

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: ​Instructional Closure
Teacher’s Activity: Summarizes lesson and links it to leadership qualities.
Pupils’ Activity: Reflect ​and relate to‍ real life.


Lesson Keywords

  • Murtala Mohammed ⁢ – Nigerian military ​leader who ruled from 1975 to 1976
  • Coup – ⁣A sudden and illegal change of government,often by the ⁣military
  • Reforms – Changes ⁢made to ‌improve systems or institutions
  • Legacy – What a ⁣person is remembered‌ for after they​ leave office or die
  • Assassination – The act of killing a prominent​ person

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning,the teacher⁤ asks pupils to:

  1. ​Who‍ was General Murtala Mohammed?
  2. When did he become Nigeria’s Head of State?
  3. Mention two of​ his achievements.
  4. Why⁢ is he remembered as a ⁣great leader?
  5. What happened to him on⁢ February 13, ⁣1976?

Assignment/Homework

  1. Write ‍five ⁢sentences explaining why Murtala Mohammed is considered one of Nigeria’s most remembered military leaders.

Differentiation

  • For slower learners: Use more ⁢visuals and storytelling to simplify information.
  • For advanced learners: Assign a research task comparing Murtala ‍with another military leader.
  • For visual/auditory/kinesthetic learners: Use videos, map activities,⁢ and flashcards to reinforce learning.

Note for Teachers

Emphasize Murtala Mohammed’s contributions and values.‌ Encourage class discussion ‌and relate leadership qualities to contemporary‍ issues.

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Military Heads Of State, General Murtala Mohammed for Primary 6
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