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In the 1950s |
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1950 |
Aminu Kano forms first Northern political party: Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU)
Census of Lagos |
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1951 |
The Macpherson Federal Constitution is introduced |
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1952 |
National census taken: count - 29 million Nigerians
Amos Tutuola publishes first Nigerian mythic prose fiction ("The Palmwine Drinkard") |
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1953 |
Enahoro moves (in March 1953) resolution in the House of Representatives for attainment of self-governance of Nigeria "in 1956". North is unwilling, preferring "as soon as practicable."
May: riots break out in Kano during campaign for self-government
Macpherson Constitution revised in London in July and August
Council of Rivers Chiefs replaces Ijo Rivers People's League (formed between 1941-52) and continues agitation for creation of distinct Rivers province.
December: Calabar-Ogoja-Rivers (COR) State movement formed in Uyo |
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1954 |
More revisions of the Macpherson Constitution in London and Lagos; becomes effective October 1, 1954; Sir John Macpherson becomes first Governor-General of the Federation of Nigeria Federal House of Representatives elections October - December Cyprian Ekwensi publishes first Nigerian "realistic" novel ("People of the City") |
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1955 |
First set of 20 women were recruited into the Nigeria Police Force |
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1956 |
Oil discovered by Shell-BP in Nigeria in January 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta; later in the year at Afam, Bomu & Ebubu (in Ogoniland) |
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1957 |
March 6: Ghana becomes independent May/June: Nigeria London Constitutional Conference.
Independence unanimously proposed for a date unspecified in 1959, but "not later than April 2, 1960"
August 30: Alhaji Tafawa Balewa forms first all-Nigeria Federal Executive Council; he is Prime Minister
September 25: Willink Minorities Commission set up
This year: Asuquo Bassey (aka Hogan "Kid" Bassey)
wins World featherweight boxing title in Paris, France
Nigeria establishes (in Western Nigeria) first television station in Africa |
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1958 |
August 18: Willink Commission publishes report
September/October: Resumed Constitutional Conference in London announces October 1, 1960 as Independence date
First oil field came on stream producing 5,100 bpd
This year: Hogan "Kid" Bassey is knighted by the Queen Elizabeth II
Chinua Achebe publishes highly popular novel "Things Fall Apart"
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1959 |
Promulgation of Petroleum Profit Tax Ordinance
Northern Region becomes self-governing March 15 (East and West were already self-governing since 1957)
March: State visit of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson
July 1: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) established
August 29: Balewa appointed first Prime Minister of the Federation
December 12: Federal Elections
December 15: Akintola appointed Premier of Western Nigeria to succeed Awolowo who is to become Leader of the Opposition in the new Federal Legislature
December 20: NPC/NCNC forms coalition Federal Government, with Balewa as first elected Prime Minister of the Federation |
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