Lesson Note on Constitutional Conferences: Meaning and Outcomes of 1950, 1953, 1957 and 1958 Meetings for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 5
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Constitutional Development in Nigeria
Previous Lesson: Oliver Lyttleton Constitution: Features and Federal Changes of the 1954 Constitution.
Topic: MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCES OF 1950, 1953, 1957 AND 1958
Subject Matter: Meaning of constitutional conferences and the key outcomes of the 1950, 1953, 1957, and 1958 conferences.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define constitutional conferences.
• Identify the major constitutional conferences held between 1950 and 1958.
• State the key outcomes or decisions of each conference.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the importance of these conferences in Nigeria’s journey to independence.
• Show interest in discussing historical events that shaped Nigeria’s political structure.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Participate effectively in discussions or group activities related to the conferences.
• Outline the major agreements reached at each conference.

Social Domain:

• Collaborate with peers during group discussions or debates on the merits and demerits of the conferences.
• Express opinions respectfully while considering different perspectives on historical events.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools by D.C. Nwaubani
• Archival notes on Nigeria’s constitutional development.
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/2753907

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Government textbooks
• Charts illustrating the timeline of constitutional conferences
• Archival notes or historical documents
• A debate guide for structured discussions.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the historical process through which Nigeria gained independence and developed its constitutional framework. It enables pupils to grasp the significant decisions made during these conferences, which influenced the country’s political structure and governance.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have a basic understanding of Nigeria’s colonial history and the concept of a constitution.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

MAJOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCES IN NIGERIA

Meaning of Constitutional Conferences

Constitutional conferences are formal meetings held by political leaders, stakeholders, and colonial administrators to discuss, review, and agree on changes or reforms to a country’s constitution. These conferences are critical in shaping the political future and governance structure of a nation.

Major Constitutional Conferences

The following are the major constitutional conferences that played significant roles in Nigeria’s path to independence:

The 1950 Ibadan Constitutional Conference

• Date: January 1950
• Location: Ibadan, Nigeria
• Key Outcomes:
  • Reviewed the Richards Constitution (1946).
  • Recommended a federal system of government for Nigeria with increased regional autonomy.
  • Proposed a new constitution, which became the Macpherson Constitution of 1951.
  • Increased Nigerian representation in the legislative and executive councils.

The 1953 London Constitutional Conference

• Date: July – August 1953
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Key Outcomes:
  • Addressed the political crisis arising from the self-government motion by Anthony Enahoro.
  • Agreed on a federal system with greater regional autonomy.
  • Granted internal self-government to regions that desired it by 1956 (Eastern and Western regions).
  • Established Lagos as a federal capital territory, separate from the Western Region.
  • Defined the legislative powers of the federal and regional governments.

The 1957 London Constitutional Conference

• Date: May – June 1957
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Key Outcomes:
  • Granted internal self-government to the Eastern and Western regions.
  • Established the office of the Prime Minister for the Federation (Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was later appointed).
  • Established the office of Regional Premier for the self-governing regions.
  • Set up the Willink Commission to inquire into the fears of minorities and propose solutions.
  • Ensured fundamental human rights were enshrined in the constitution.

The 1958 London Constitutional Conference

• Date: September – October 1958
• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Key Outcomes:
  • Confirmed the Northern Region would achieve internal self-government in 1959.
  • Set the date for Nigeria’s independence as October 1, 1960.
  • Discussed the recommendations of the Willink Commission on minority rights.
  • Finalized the structure of the independent Nigerian government.
  • Addressed issues concerning the post-independence judiciary, police, and electoral procedures.

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 reminds them of Nigeria’s journey towards independence, asking them about key events or figures they remember from that period. The teacher then introduces the topic of constitutional conferences as important steps in this journey.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, recalling previous knowledge, and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and link the new lesson to their prior knowledge of Nigerian history.

Step 2: Meaning of Constitutional Conferences

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of constitutional conferences, highlighting their purpose in reviewing and reforming a country’s constitution. The teacher may use examples of historical meetings.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification regarding the definition and purpose of the conferences.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what constitutional conferences are and why they are held.

Step 3: The 1950 Ibadan Constitutional Conference

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the background, date, location, and major outcomes of the 1950 Ibadan Constitutional Conference, emphasizing its role in leading to the Macpherson Constitution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes on the key decisions, and may ask questions about the significance of the conference.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the first major constitutional conference and its impact.

Step 4: The 1953 London Constitutional Conference

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the reasons for the 1953 London Conference, such as the self-government crisis, and details its key outcomes, including the agreement on regional self-government and Lagos as a federal territory.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate by asking questions, contributing to discussions, and noting down the important decisions made at the conference.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how the 1953 conference addressed political tensions and further decentralized power.

Step 5: The 1957 London Constitutional Conference

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher outlines the decisions of the 1957 London Conference, focusing on the granting of internal self-government to the Eastern and Western regions and the establishment of the Prime Minister’s office.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils pay attention, record the significant outcomes, and recognize the progression towards full independence.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the steps towards internal self-governance for some regions and the creation of key federal political offices.

Step 6: The 1958 London Constitutional Conference

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Exposition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the final major conference, the 1958 London Conference, highlighting the setting of the independence date and the final preparations for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and note the crucial decisions that paved the way for Nigeria’s independence.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the final agreements that secured Nigeria’s 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:

1. What is a constitutional conference?
2. Mention two major constitutional conferences held in Nigeria between 1950 and 1958.
3. State two key decisions made at the 1950 Ibadan Constitutional Conference.
4. Which constitutional conference set the date for Nigeria’s independence?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson by reiterating the importance of the constitutional conferences in Nigeria’s political history. The teacher then assigns pupils to research the specific roles of key Nigerian leaders at these conferences.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are encouraged to conduct further research.

Lesson Keywords

• Constitutional Conference – Formal meetings to discuss and agree on changes to a constitution.
• Federalism – A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
• Self-government – The right of a people to govern themselves, especially in their internal affairs.
• Macpherson Constitution – The constitution enacted in 1951 following the recommendations of the 1950 Ibadan Conference.
• Lyttelton Constitution – The constitution enacted in 1954, resulting from the 1953 London Conference.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to lead discussions on the impact of each conference. For pupils requiring more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes or use visual aids like timelines to help them sequence and recall information.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage pupils to actively participate in discussions by sharing their thoughts on the historical significance of each conference. Consider inviting a resource person, as suggested in the objectives, to provide deeper insights. A debate or drama activity, as mentioned, can also be a highly engaging way for pupils to explore the merits and demerits or the different perspectives involved in these historical events. Ensure charts are clear and detailed, summarizing the key outcomes of each conference.