Lesson Note on Macpherson Constitution: Features and Merits and Demerits of the 1951 Constitution for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Nigerian Government and Politics
Previous Lesson: Arthur Richards Constitution: Features and Implications of the 1946/47 Constitution.
Topic: CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Subject Matter: Meaning of constitution (basic law of a state), Macpherson constitution of 1951, features (major provisions), merits (advantages), demerits (limitations)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define the term ‘constitution’.
• State the major features of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951.
• Explain the merits (advantages) of the Macpherson Constitution.
• Identify the demerits (limitations) of the Macpherson Constitution.
• Identify similarities between the Macpherson Constitution and other Nigerian constitutions.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of constitutional development in Nigeria.
• Show interest in the historical aspects of Nigeria’s governance.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Analyze the provisions of the Macpherson Constitution.
• Compare aspects of the Macpherson Constitution with other historical constitutions.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in discussions about Nigeria’s constitutional history.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Oyediran, J.A. (2010). Comprehensive Government for Senior Secondary Schools. Ado-Ekiti: Fagbamigbe Publishers.
• Online historical archives and government resources (e.g., National Archives of Nigeria documents).
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/2635904
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria/Constitutional-development

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Government textbooks
• Charts showing the timeline of Nigerian constitutional development
• Selected excerpts or summaries of the Macpherson Constitution
• A timeline poster illustrating key constitutional milestones

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the foundational legal framework of a state and how Nigeria’s governance structure evolved. It enables them to appreciate the historical journey and challenges involved in shaping the nation’s political landscape.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of government, laws, and some historical events in Nigeria, particularly those leading to independence.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Constitutional Development in Nigeria

Meaning of Constitution

A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. It serves as the basic law of a state, outlining the powers and duties of the government and guaranteeing certain rights to its citizens.

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951

The Macpherson Constitution was introduced in 1951 by Sir John Macpherson, the Governor-General of Nigeria. It was a significant step in Nigeria’s constitutional development, aiming to provide a more representative government and greater regional autonomy.

Features of the Macpherson Constitution

The following are the major provisions of the Macpherson Constitution:

• It introduced a quasi-federal system of government, dividing Nigeria into three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions, each with its own legislative and executive councils.
• It established a Central Legislature (House of Representatives) with 136 members, 68 from the North and 34 each from the East and West.
• It created a Central Executive Council (Council of Ministers) with 12 Nigerian ministers (four from each region) and six official members.
• The Regional Houses of Assembly were given legislative powers, including the power to legislate on a limited range of subjects.
• The constitution allowed for indirect elections at the regional level, which then elected members to the central legislature.
• It maintained the ultimate authority of the Governor-General, who retained powers of veto over legislation.

Merits (Advantages) of the Macpherson Constitution

The following are the advantages of the Macpherson Constitution:

• It was largely a product of Nigerian consultation, involving discussions at various levels of society.
• It introduced a federal principle, giving more autonomy to the regions and fostering regional development.
• It increased Nigerian participation in legislative and executive councils at both regional and central levels.
• It served as a training ground for Nigerian politicians in parliamentary procedures.
• It helped in the development of political parties along regional lines.

Demerits (Limitations) of the Macpherson Constitution

The following are the limitations of the Macpherson Constitution:

• The ministers were merely advisers to the Governor-General and Regional Governors, lacking real executive power.
• The regional autonomy it granted led to intensified regionalism and ethnic rivalry.
• The constitution lacked a true federal structure, as legislative powers were not clearly defined between the central and regional governments.
• The electoral system was complex and indirect, which limited direct public participation.
• The veto power of the Governor-General and Regional Governors undermined the principle of self-governance.
• It failed to define a common national identity, fostering regional rather than national loyalty.

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 what a constitution is and mention any constitution they know in Nigeria’s history. This links to prior knowledge.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and mention constitutions like the Independence Constitution or the 1999 Constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the topic of constitutional development.

Step 2: Meaning of Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a constitution as the fundamental law of a state, guiding its governance and protecting citizens’ rights. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, copy the definition from the board, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can define the term ‘constitution’.

Step 3: Background to the Macpherson Constitution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Historical Context
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a brief background to the Macpherson Constitution, explaining why it was introduced and the period it covered (1951-1954). The teacher mentions Sir John Macpherson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note the key historical context and figures related to the constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils gain an understanding of the historical setting of the Macpherson Constitution.

Step 4: Features of the Macpherson Constitution

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the major features of the Macpherson Constitution, highlighting the quasi-federal structure, the composition of the central and regional legislatures, and the powers of the Governor-General. The teacher writes these features on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and copy the features into their notes.
Learning Point: Pupils can state and explain the key features of the Macpherson Constitution.

Step 5: Merits of the Macpherson Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the advantages or merits of the Macpherson Constitution, such as increased Nigerian participation and the introduction of a federal principle. The teacher encourages pupils to contribute their ideas.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, identify, and note down the merits of the constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can list the positive aspects of the Macpherson Constitution.

Step 6: Demerits of the Macpherson Constitution

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the demerits or limitations of the Macpherson Constitution, focusing on issues like limited ministerial power, intensified regionalism, and the Governor-General’s veto power. The teacher guides pupils to identify these weaknesses.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and note down the demerits of the constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and can list the negative aspects of the Macpherson Constitution.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

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

1. Define a constitution.
2. State three features of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951.
3. Mention two merits of the Macpherson Constitution.
4. Identify two demerits of the Macpherson Constitution.

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

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the meaning of a constitution and the main features, merits, and demerits of the Macpherson Constitution. The teacher assigns homework.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and note down the homework.
Learning Point: The lesson is concluded, and pupils are given tasks to reinforce their learning.

Lesson Keywords

• Constitution – A body of fundamental principles according to which a state is governed.
• Macpherson Constitution – The Nigerian constitution introduced in 1951.
• Quasi-federalism – A system of government that is partly federal and partly unitary.
• Legislature – The part of government responsible for making laws.
• Executive Council – The body responsible for implementing laws and policies.
• Veto power – The power of an official to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research and compare the Macpherson Constitution with other pre-independence constitutions like the Richards Constitution. For pupils needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified summaries and visual aids, ensuring they focus on defining key terms and listing basic features, merits, and demerits.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure pupils have access to simplified texts or charts that illustrate the structure of the Macpherson Constitution. Encourage class discussions and debates on the impact of the constitution on Nigeria’s political development. If possible, show pictures of key figures like Sir John Macpherson. Encourage pupils to visit the nearest national archives office as a project outside the regular lesson time to explore historical documents related to constitutional development.