Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS 3 / JS3)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 8
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: History
Previous Lesson: People Involved in the Struggle:.
Topic: THE ATTAINMENT OF INDEPENDENCE
Subject Matter: Reflection on what independence means, The role of the British administration in the attainment of Nigerian Independence, The role of the British crown headed by Queen Elizabeth the second, The various activities of the key personalities involved

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define the term ‘independence’.
Identify the key roles of the British administration and the British Crown in Nigeria’s independence.
List the various key personalities involved in the attainment of Nigerian independence.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the efforts of past leaders in achieving independence.
Value the significance of freedom and self-governance.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss the contributions of specific personalities to Nigeria’s independence.
Summarize the process through which Nigeria gained independence.

Promote a sense of national identity and unity.
Understand the historical context of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for History.
State Unified Scheme of Work.
Adeola, F. (2018). Comprehensive History for Junior Secondary Schools Book 3. University Press Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Charts showing images of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
A map of Nigeria highlighting key regions.
Pictures depicting the independence celebration in 1960.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the historical process and significance of Nigeria gaining independence from British colonial rule. It enables pupils to appreciate the efforts of those who contributed to Nigeria’s self-governance and the responsibilities that come with national freedom.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have prior knowledge of British colonial rule in Nigeria and the various forms of resistance against it.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE ATTAINMENT OF INDEPENDENCE

Reflection on what Independence Means

Independence means freedom from the control or influence of another country or government. For Nigeria, it meant the country became a sovereign nation, capable of governing itself without external interference, and making its own laws and decisions.

The Role of the British Administration in the Attainment of Nigerian Independence

The British administration played a significant role in the journey to Nigeria’s independence by gradually transferring power and introducing constitutional reforms. Key aspects of their role included:

Introduction of various constitutions (e.g., Macpherson Constitution of 1951, Lyttleton Constitution of 1954) that granted Nigerians more political participation and internal self-governance.
Organizing elections that allowed Nigerians to elect their representatives to regional and federal legislatures.
Setting up commissions and conferences (e.g., London Constitutional Conferences) to discuss the terms and timeline for independence.
Training Nigerian civil servants and military personnel to take over administrative responsibilities.
Ultimately, the British Parliament passed the Nigeria Independence Act, which formally granted independence on October 1, 1960.

The Role of the British Crown Headed by Queen Elizabeth the Second

The British Crown, symbolized by Queen Elizabeth II, played a ceremonial but significant role in the attainment of Nigerian independence:

As the Head of State of the United Kingdom, the Queen was the ultimate authority under whose reign Nigeria was granted independence.
She approved the Nigeria Independence Act passed by the British Parliament.
The Duke of Edinburgh, representing the Queen, officially handed over the constitutional instruments of independence to Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, on October 1, 1960.
For a period after independence (until 1963), Queen Elizabeth II remained Nigeria’s Head of State as part of the Commonwealth, signifying a peaceful transition.

The Various Activities of the Key Personalities Involved

Many Nigerian nationalists and political leaders actively campaigned and worked towards independence. Some of the key personalities and their contributions include:

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe: A prominent nationalist, journalist, and politician. He founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) and played a crucial role in advocating for independence through his writings and political activities. He became Nigeria’s first indigenous Governor-General and later President.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo: A leading nationalist and politician from the Western Region. He founded the Action Group (AG) and championed free education and economic development. He was instrumental in regional self-governance and constitutional reforms.
Sir Ahmadu Bello: The Sardauna of Sokoto and a key political leader from the Northern Region. He led the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and focused on protecting Northern interests while working towards a united Nigeria. He became the first Premier of the Northern Region.
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa: A respected statesman and politician from the Northern Region. He served as Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister, leading the country to independence and through its early years.
Herbert Macaulay: Often regarded as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” he founded Nigeria’s first political party, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), and laid the groundwork for future nationalist movements.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti: A prominent women’s rights activist and nationalist who fought against colonial injustices and advocated for women’s suffrage and political participation.

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 what they understand by the word “freedom” and in what context they have heard it before.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing their understanding of freedom.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge related to the concept of freedom.

Step 2: Meaning of Independence

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of national independence, relating it to Nigeria’s freedom from British rule.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and define independence in their own words.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of independence for a nation.

Step 3: Role of the British Administration

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the role of the British administration, highlighting the constitutional changes and political developments they introduced leading to independence.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and identify key actions taken by the British administration.
Learning Point: Pupils identify how the British administration facilitated the independence process.

Step 4: Role of the British Crown

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the ceremonial but significant role of the British Crown, particularly Queen Elizabeth II, in the formal handover of power.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and understand the symbolic importance of the British Crown in the independence event.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the symbolic role of the British Crown in granting independence.

Step 5: Key Personalities Involved

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces and discusses the activities and contributions of key Nigerian personalities such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and mention the names and contributions of the key personalities.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and appreciate the efforts of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Step 6: Class Discussion/Activity

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a short discussion on why it was important for Nigeria to gain independence.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their opinions and engage in the discussion.
Learning Point: Pupils reflect on the importance of independence.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

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

What does independence mean for a country?
Mention two roles played by the British administration in Nigeria’s attainment of independence.
Who was the head of the British Crown at the time of Nigeria’s independence?
List three key Nigerian personalities who fought for independence and state one contribution for each.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson and gives pupils a take-home assignment to research other Nigerian nationalists.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to research further.

Lesson Keywords

Independence – Freedom from the control, influence, support, or aid of others.
Sovereignty – The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.
Nationalism – A political ideology that involves an individual identifying with, or becoming attached to, one’s nation.
Colonialism – The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research specific details of the constitutional conferences. For those who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or use more visual aids during explanations.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage pupils to share their thoughts and feelings about independence, fostering a sense of national pride and historical awareness. Emphasize the collaborative nature of the struggle for independence, involving various regions and personalities.