Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: History
Curriculum Theme: Government and Nation Building
Previous Lesson: Military Rule Continued: 1975 Coup, Land Use Decree and Indigenization.
Topic: THE SECOND REPUBLIC 1979
Subject Matter: Meaning of the Second Republic (Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1979), 1979 republican constitution, presidential system, socio economic programmes.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Define the Second Republic in Nigeria.
Identify the key features of the 1979 Republican Constitution.
List the main socio-economic programmes implemented during the Second Republic.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the significance of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1979.
Value the principles of democratic governance.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss the differences between the First and Second Republics.
Outline the characteristics of the presidential system of government as adopted in 1979.

Participate in discussions about Nigeria’s political history.
Understand the importance of constitutionalism in national development.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Ayandele, A. (2010). A Comprehensive History for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: University Press Plc.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A copy of the 1979 Nigerian Constitution (or excerpts).
Charts showing the structure of government during the Second Republic.
Maps of Nigeria.
Pictures of key political figures of the Second Republic.
Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand a significant period in Nigeria’s political development, specifically the transition from military to civilian rule in 1979. It enables them to grasp the structure of government and key policies that shaped the nation during the Second Republic, providing context for present-day governance.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have prior knowledge of Nigeria’s First Republic, the period of military rule, and basic concepts of government.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

THE SECOND REPUBLIC (1979-1983)

Meaning of the Second Republic

The Second Republic refers to the period in Nigerian history when the country returned to civilian democratic rule after thirteen years of military governance. This era began in October 1979 with the inauguration of President Shehu Shagari and ended abruptly in December 1983 with another military coup.

Key Features of the 1979 Republican Constitution

The 1979 Constitution introduced several important features that shaped Nigeria’s political landscape. The following are some of them:

Presidential System: It replaced the parliamentary system of the First Republic with a presidential system, featuring a directly elected President as both Head of State and Government.
Separation of Powers: Clearly defined powers for the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms of government to ensure checks and balances.
Federal Character Principle: Mandated that appointments to federal public institutions reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic and geographical groups.
Bicameral Legislature: Established a two-chamber National Assembly consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Multi-Party System: Allowed for the formation of multiple political parties, provided they met certain national spread requirements.
Fundamental Human Rights: Enshrined a comprehensive list of human rights enforceable by law.
Independent Judiciary: Guaranteed the independence of the judiciary to interpret laws and protect rights.

The Presidential System of Government

The presidential system, as adopted in 1979, is characterized by the following:

The President is elected for a fixed term (four years) and serves as both the Head of State and Head of Government.
There is a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
The President appoints ministers (secretaries) who are accountable to him and may or may not be members of the legislature.
The system incorporates checks and balances to prevent any one arm of government from becoming too powerful.

Socio-Economic Programmes of the Second Republic

The Shehu Shagari administration initiated various programmes aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians. The following are some notable examples:

Green Revolution: A major agricultural programme launched to boost food production and achieve self-sufficiency in food.
Housing Programme: Aimed at providing affordable housing across the country, particularly for low-income earners.
Education Expansion: Focused on expanding access to education at all levels, including the establishment of new universities and colleges.
Health Sector Development: Efforts were made to improve healthcare facilities and services nationwide.
Industrial Development: Initiatives to promote local industries and reduce reliance on imports.

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 the period of military rule in Nigeria and the subsequent return to civilian governance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions, linking previous knowledge to the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the new lesson by connecting it to their existing knowledge of Nigerian history.

Step 2: Meaning of the Second Republic

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of the Second Republic, highlighting the period (1979-1983) and the significance of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule under President Shehu Shagari.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what the Second Republic represents in Nigerian history.

Step 3: The 1979 Republican Constitution

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the key features of the 1979 Republican Constitution, using a copy of the constitution (or excerpts) and charts to illustrate points such as the presidential system and federal character.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the various features of the constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the constitutional framework that governed the Second Republic.

Step 4: The Presidential System of Government

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the characteristics of the presidential system of government adopted in 1979, emphasizing separation of powers and checks and balances.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils ask questions and discuss the implications of the presidential system.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the structure and functioning of the presidential system.

Step 5: Socio-Economic Programmes of the Second Republic

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Lecture/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher enumerates and briefly explains the major socio-economic programmes implemented during the Second Republic, such as the Green Revolution and housing schemes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and identify the key programmes.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of the development initiatives of the Second Republic.

Step 6: Differences between First and Second Republics

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparative Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and discuss the key differences between the First and Second Republics, focusing on the system of government (parliamentary vs. presidential) and constitutional provisions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils differentiate between the two republics based on the teacher’s guidance.
Learning Point: Pupils can compare and contrast different periods of Nigeria’s democratic history.

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 the term “Second Republic” in the context of Nigerian history.
Mention three key features of the 1979 Republican Constitution.
List two major socio-economic programmes of the Second Republic.
State one significant difference between the First and Second Republics.

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 briefly summarizes the main points of the lesson and assigns homework: “Research one major challenge faced by the Second Republic and write a short paragraph about it.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is concluded, and pupils are given an opportunity for further research.

Lesson Keywords

Second Republic – The period of civilian rule in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.
1979 Constitution – The supreme law that established the Second Republic and introduced the presidential system.
Presidential System – A system of government where the president is head of state and government, elected independently of the legislature.
Green Revolution – An agricultural programme of the Second Republic aimed at boosting food production.
Federal Character – A principle enshrined in the 1979 Constitution to ensure representation of Nigeria’s diversity in government.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research the political parties of the Second Republic. For pupils who need more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or focus on key definitions and examples, using visual aids more extensively.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure that they have adequate visual aids, such as charts and maps, to make the lesson engaging. Encourage pupils to participate in discussions to foster a deeper understanding of Nigeria’s political history. Emphasize the long-term impact of the 1979 Constitution and the challenges of democratic transitions.