Do you know the story of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister? As one of the leading figures in the fight for independence, he played a major role in freeing his country from colonial rule.
His story isn’t just about the struggle for freedom, though. It’s also about the impact a single person can have on history.
In this article, we’ll look at the life and times of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, his humble beginnings, his rise to power, and how he was able to overcome tremendous obstacles to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister. You’ll be inspired by this man’s courage and determination as you learn more about his incredible journey.
Early Life of Nigeria’s First Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was born in December 1912 to a Fulani family in Bauchi, Nigeria. He was raised in a strict Muslim family and soon developed an interest in politics. His mother, Fatima Inna, was of Gere and Fulani ancestry, while his father, Yakubu Dan Zala, was of Gere ethnicity. His father worked for the home of the district chief of the Bauchi Emirate’s Lere area.
Education
Let’s talk about the education of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
Abubakar had an impressive educational journey, starting as a student at Barewa College in Zaria, In 1933. Balewa returned to Bauchi after completing his five-year study to work as a teacher at the middle school there. He became a senior schoolmaster while continuing to teach at the school. He met a young Aminu Kano, who had been assigned to the school as a teacher in 1941.
Investigations into student complaints during student unrest led to the school headmaster’s indictment, and Balewa was proposed as the new headmaster in 1941. Tafawa Balewa and a few other trained teachers from the Northern Provinces were selected in 1944 to pursue studies at the Institute of Education of the University of London, which is now part of University College London. He entered politics after returning to Nigeria and working as an inspector of schools for the colonial government.
Political Career
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is best known for his role as the first Prime Minister of Nigeria. He had a long and successful political career before assuming this role in the country’s history.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa won elections to the Legislative Council in 1947 as well as the Northern House of Assembly in 1946. He was a strong supporter of the rights of Northern Nigeria as a politician. Based on the argument that the north and south areas were not on an equal basis, he backed the North’s hesitation to become independent. He pushed for increased positions of authority and responsibility in the Native Administration for the educated citizens of the emirates in the Northern Assembly.
Together, they proposed that the cultural group Jam’iyyar Mutanen Arewa, or Northern People’s Congress (NPC) in English, be transformed into a political platform for use as a campaign platform during the 1951 elections. Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, who held the hereditary title of Sardauna of Sokoto, was a part of this proposal. Balewa resigned from his position as headmaster of Bauchi Middle School after being chosen as the new party’s vice president. In 1951, NPC received the majority of the votes for the regional House of Assembly.
Balewa was one of the freshmen lawmakers in Kaduna. A new constitution, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, established an electoral college system under which some regional legislators were elected to the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos, and three members from each region were designated as federal ministers with portfolios among the federal legislators. Balewa was one of those nominated for Lagos, and he was proposed for a position as a minister together with Kashim Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ribadu.
Balewa was appointed Chief Minister and Prime Minister in 1957 after NPC received the majority of votes in the Federal House of Representatives. He formed a coalition government with the NPC and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, and invited the Action Group (A.G.) as part of his plans to unify the country in preparation for the movement for independence in 1960. The 1957 cabinet was formed as an all-party cabinet.
The National Government was backed by the Action Group party’s national executive committee, and Ayo Rosiji and Samuel Akintola were selected by the party despite the fact that Awolowo, the party’s leader and premier of the Western area, was doubtful of the proposal. During this time, K.O. Mbadiwe from NCNC and Akintola from AG became close friends with Balewa.
First Prime Minister of Nigeria
When Nigeria gained independence in 1960, Balewa kept his position as prime minister and was reelected in 1964.
Before Nigeria gained its independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 approved a regional political structure for the nation, granting all regions a sizable measure of political freedom. The three regions were then home to a variety of cultural groupings. Afterward, the premiers and other notable regional leaders adopted a strategy to protect their territories from political intrusion by other regional leaders. Eventually, the Balewa administration was impacted by this political situation. His administration was unstable during this time because local factionalism consistently threatened it.
Balewa did, however, play a significant part in the early indigenous control of the continent while serving as Nigeria’s Prime Minister. He played a key role in organizing the Organisation of African Unity and establishing friendly ties with the French-speaking nations of Africa. During the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964, he also played a crucial role in discussions between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese government.
In addition to forming an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who wanted South Africa to leave the organization in 1961, he actively protested the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960. Yet many of his supporters protested and condemned him after one of the leaders of the western region, Obafemi Awolowo, was charged and convicted of treason.
Violent protests later resulted from the 1965 election in the area. Rioting and violence quickly coincided with what was seen as excessive political intrusion and an overly enthusiastic election result for Awolowo’s Western opponents.
During 1960 and 1961, Balewa served as both Nigeria’s foreign affairs representative and Prime Minister of Nigeria. The Balewa administration created a formal Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in 1961 in support of Jaja Wachuku, who served as Nigeria’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations (later known as External Affairs) from 1961 to 1965.
Major Challenges Faced by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
You might not know that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, had plenty of challenges to overcome. Despite his education and experience in the colonial administration, he was met with resistance by some of the other leaders of Nigeria who did not believe he was qualified for the post. Also, the British wanted to maintain control over its former colonies, so they constantly undermined his efforts.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa managed to overcome some of these issues during his tenure as Prime Minister of Nigeria, but ultimately he could not push through all his policies due to opposition from both outside and within Nigeria.
Overthrown
On January 15, 1966, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and many Nigerian leaders were overthrown and murdered in a military coup, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, an old friend of Balewa. There is still no clear explanation for how he died. Six days after being removed from office, his body was found along a roadside in the vicinity of Lagos. Balewa was laid to rest in Bauchi. The murderous counter-coup of July 1966 was the result of violent riots that were sparked by news of his murder in Northern Nigeria.
Legacy of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
You might not know much about Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, but he had a huge impact on Nigeria. He was the first Prime Minister of Nigeria and served in that capacity for three years until January 15th, 1966. As Prime Minister, he led negotiations for Nigeria’s independence against the British and was instrumental in establishing a stable democracy.
In addition to his contributions to politics, Balewa also made lasting contributions to education in Nigeria. He established the Nigerian Educational Research Council and developed the five-year National Development Plan for Education in 1961. This plan included an increase in schools and teachers, as well increased funding for higher education institutions. He worked closely with academics to ensure that education policy was based on empirical data and analysis.
Balewa worked hard to bridge divides between religious and ethnic communities as well; he was one of only three national leaders to criticize the formation of regional political parties which favored one area over another.
In 1933, Balewa wrote Shaihu Umar, a novella about a devout Muslim, in response to Rupert East’s request for Hausa literature promotion. Balewa was the head of the colonial Translation Bureau. The first edition of Shaihu Umar was released in 1934 and Mervyn Hiskett published an English translation of the original in 1967.
Even after his death in January 1966, Balewa’s legacy lives on through his work that helped shape Nigerian independence and educational reform still seen today.
Honours
Not only was Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, but he earned many other honors in his life as well. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II knighted Balewa as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 1960. In May 1960, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sheffield. In July 1961, New York University bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in law.
The 5 Naira Note has a portrait of Balewa. In his honor, Bauchi now has a university called the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University.
After his death, he was honored posthumously with the naming of several buildings, streets, and institutions after him, including Tafawa Balewa Square, which is located in Lagos. He is also remembered for his contributions to education: a number of schools are named after him today, as well as a university located in Bauchi State.
Balewa’s legacy also includes statues and monuments to commemorate him across Nigeria. It serves as a reminder of Balewa’s impact on Nigeria and its people.
Personal Life
Balewa was described as humble and modest. His Bauchi home and the 50-acre farm he used as a getaway when he needed to unwind were among his most valuable possessions at the time of his death. Balewa was married to four women, and they bore 19 children.
Conclusion
At his death, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was mourned by many Nigerians who remembered him not just as the country’s first Prime Minister but also as a leader who worked tirelessly for the unity and progress of Nigeria. He was a statesman whose words inspired and guided the people of Nigeria for years afterward. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of Nigerians for generations to come.
His life and work were a testament to the power of a leader determined to make a difference, even in the face of difficult odds. He was a leader who believed in the power of cooperation, diplomacy, and dialog and the importance of keeping all Nigerians together. The legacy of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, will forever be remembered as a shining example of what can be achieved through leadership and courage.