Constitutions before Independence in Nigeria
Nigeria’s journey to independence was marked by several constitutional developments that shaped its political landscape. This blog post explores the key constitutions that paved the way for Nigeria’s eventual independence in 1960.
Questions around this subject have been found in the History WASSCE past questions.
- Name any three Constitutions before independence in Nigeria. (WASSCE SC. 2022)
List of Constitutions before Independence in Nigeria
1. Clifford Constitution (1922)
Named after Sir Hugh Clifford, the Governor-General of Nigeria at the time, this constitution introduced elective representation to the Nigerian Legislative Council for the first time.
Key Features
- Established a 46-member Legislative Council
- Introduced limited franchise in Lagos and Calabar
- Created the principle of official majority in the council
Fun Fact: The Clifford Constitution allowed only men who had resided in the city for at least one year and had a gross annual income of £100 to vote. This limited the electorate to about 3,000 people in a population of over 18 million!
2. Richards Constitution (1946)
Introduced by Governor Sir Arthur Richards, this constitution aimed to promote unity in the diverse Nigerian territory.
Key Features
- Divided Nigeria into three regions: North, West, and East
- Established a central legislative council and regional houses of assembly
- Introduced indirect elections through native authorities
Fun Fact: The Richards Constitution faced criticism for not consulting Nigerians during its drafting, leading to protests by nationalists like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo.
3. Macpherson Constitution (1951)
Named after Sir John Macpherson, this constitution was a response to the criticisms of its predecessor and involved more Nigerian participation in its creation.
Key Features
- Introduced a federal system of government
- Established a House of Representatives for the whole country
- Created regional governments with more autonomous powers
Fun Fact: The Macpherson Constitution introduced the position of Leader of Government Business in each region, which later evolved into the office of Premier.
4. Lyttleton Constitution (1954)
This constitution, named after Oliver Lyttleton (the British Secretary of State for the Colonies), further advanced Nigeria’s federal structure and laid the groundwork for independence.
Key Features:
- Established a true federal system with autonomous regions
- Divided legislative powers between federal and regional governments
- Created the office of Prime Minister
Fun Fact: The Lyttleton Constitution allowed regions to seek self-government independently. The Western and Eastern regions achieved internal self-government in 1957, while the Northern region followed in 1959.
Conclusion
These pre-independence constitutions played crucial roles in shaping Nigeria’s political structure and fostering the nation’s journey towards self-governance. Each constitution built upon its predecessor, gradually increasing Nigerian participation and autonomy until full independence was achieved in 1960.
