Nigeria’s independence on 1 October 1960 was widely hailed as a milestone of African self-government. At the centre of this achievement stood Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the nation’s first Prime Minister, a modest schoolteacher from Bauchi who rose to embody the promise of unity and democratic leadership.
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The new state possessed vast human and material resources. It also had a political elite that had successfully negotiated decolonisation with Britain. However, beneath this optimism lay deep regional, social, and administrative divisions inherited from colonial rule. Britain’s indirect rule and the uneven spread of Western education created distinct political elites in the North, West, and East. These differences shaped party politics and limited national integration.
At the heart of the early federal government stood Balewa, a teacher-turned-politician who rose within the Northern People’s Congress (NPC). He served as Chief Minister in 1957 and continued as Prime Minister at independence in 1960. Known for his measured rhetoric and diplomatic poise, he preferred dialogue and consensus. His modest and inclusive leadership style made him widely respected across regions.
Nevertheless, Balewa’s government faced serious challenges. Political parties were often organised along ethnic lines. The federal legislature, too, reflected regional rather than national loyalties. As a result, building a stable democracy proved increasingly difficult.
Political Fractures and Electoral Turmoil
During the early 1960s, political tension grew sharply. The Action Group crisis of 1962 split the Western Region after a dispute between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. Violence, federal intervention, and the subsequent trial of Awolowo for treasonable felony deepened public mistrust of the political system.
Elections in 1964 and 1965 further undermined confidence. They were marred by intimidation and irregularities. In the Western Region, violence escalated into the infamous Operation Wetie, marked by arson, killings, and street clashes. Consequently, public confidence in civilian politics declined sharply.
Amid the chaos, many Nigerians, including young military officers, came to believe that the political class had failed the nation.
The Night of 15 January 1966
In the early hours of 15 January 1966, a group of mostly junior officers launched Nigeria’s first military coup. Among the key figures were Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, and several others.
Their stated goal was to remove corrupt leaders and restore national integrity. The operation succeeded in parts of the North and West but failed in Lagos. Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and Northern Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello were killed, along with several senior officers and politicians. Chief Samuel Akintola was also shot dead in Ibadan.
Despite the initial confusion, Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, the Army Commander, regained control in Lagos. He quickly moved to restore order and assumed power as Head of State.
The Fate of Prime Minister Balewa
Prime Minister Balewa was detained by coup forces. A few days later, his body was found near the Lagos–Abeokuta road, confirming his death and shocking the nation. After the discovery, the circumstances of his death became a subject of intense debate.
Many contemporaries and later historians described it as an assassination. However, the precise medical cause remains uncertain. Accounts differ, and there is no conclusive forensic evidence in the public record. Therefore, the verified facts remain limited: Balewa was detained during the coup, and his body was later found. The exact manner of his death continues to be debated among historians and eyewitnesses.
From Military Takeover to Counter-Coup
With the civilian government paralyzed, Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi assumed power on January 16, 1966. He suspended the Constitution and established a Supreme Military Council. Initially, his administration sought stability. Yet ethnic suspicions soon hardened.
In May 1966, Ironsi introduced measures aimed at centralising administration, including Decree No. 34, which replaced the federal system with a unitary structure. This decision angered many Northern officers who already resented the January coup’s pattern of casualties.
On 29 July 1966, Northern officers staged a counter-coup. Ironsi and Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi were assassinated, and Lieutenant-Colonel Yakubu Gowon became Head of State. The counter-coup unleashed anti-Igbo violence across several Northern cities. Thousands fled to the Eastern Region, and national unity collapsed completely.
Colonial Legacies and Enduring Lessons
A single cause cannot explain the political breakdown of 1966. Rather, it reflected a combination of weak institutions, flawed elections, and the failure of national integration. Regional rivalries and competition among elites further eroded trust.
Moreover, Nigeria’s colonial inheritance deepened these divisions. Indirect rule preserved regional power structures, while uneven access to education created social and political imbalances. Consequently, the young federation lacked a shared national identity strong enough to withstand political crises.
Legacy of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s death symbolised the end of Nigeria’s first democratic experiment. His calm, moral, and consensus-driven leadership stood in stark contrast to the violence that followed.
Balewa’s diplomacy earned him international respect. He helped found the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and promoted African cooperation during the Cold War. To this day, he remains a model of integrity and moderation in Nigerian politics.
The events of 1966 ushered in decades of military dominance. They also left lasting scars of mistrust between Nigeria’s regions and ethnic groups. Balewa’s story serves as a reminder that democracy cannot thrive without justice, fairness, and inclusive governance.
Author’s note
The assassination of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s history. His death ended the fragile First Republic and shattered hopes of stable democratic rule. Yet his legacy endures as a standard of humility, tolerance, and integrity.
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Remembering Balewa is essential not only for understanding Nigeria’s past but also for shaping a future built on unity, accountability, and national trust.
References
Dudley, B. J. Instability and Political Order: Politics and Crisis in Nigeria. Ibadan University Press, 1973.
Falola, T., & Heaton, M. M. A History of Nigeria. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
Siollun, M. Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria’s Military Coup Culture (1966–1976). Algora Publishing, 2009.
