Jul, 2018 just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. The 1957 constitutional conference on the nigerian constitution. Constitutionalism and the national question in nigeria. Lyttleton constitution of 1954 features, merits and demerits. This constitution strengthened the federal character of nigeria even further. It came into force on 1st of october,1963 nigeria s third anniversary as an independent nation. Mar 27, 2012 home columns tuesday platform origin of nigerian constitutional regionalism. However, when nigeria gained her independence on october 1 st 1960, a home made constitution known as the independence constitution of 1960 was adopted which disposed the colonial 1954 lyttleton constitution, although it retained some of its features here are the main features of the nigerian independence constitution of 1960. Preindependence constitutions in nigeria archives oldnaija. Obafemi awolowo, nigerian statesman who was a strong and influential advocate of independence, nationalism, and federalism. This was the first indigenous constitution of nigeria. Education education education in british colonies and former colonies. Colonial nigeria was the era in the history of nigeria when the region of west africa was ruled by great britain in from the midnineteenth century until 1960, when nigeria achieved independence. This constitution shall have the force of law throughout nigeria and, subject to the provisions of section 4 of this constitution, if any other law including the constitution of a region is inconsistent with this constitution, this constitution shall prevail and the.
Performance of functions of prime minister during absence or illness. It operates the presidential system of government with three distinct but complementary arms namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, each acting as a check on. Get a fullyhyperlinked free pdf softcopy of the 1999 nigerian constitution, as amended. The constitution also established central executive council known as council of ministers and regional executive council respectively. The 1914 constitution, the 1922 constitution, the 1946 constitution, the 1951 constitution, the 1954 constitution and the 1960 constitution. The nigeria constitution is the highest law in nigeria, any law that is not consistent with the constitution is null and void. Features of lyttleton constitution 1954 nigerian infopedia.
Outline critically, the main features of the republican constitution of 1963. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet lawyer. Colonial independent federal parliamentary country of the british commonwealth. Decisions of the 1953 london conference on the nigerian constitution. Signet that may from time to time he addressed to the. Features of nigeria constitutional law and development. The african ejournals project has digitized full text of. Sir john macpherson was responsible for creating this constitution and its main highlight was the reported wide consultations with the different strata of the nigerian society before the constitution was created in 1951 also read.
The choice of federalism as the preferred system of government for nigeria was not accidental. A federal legislature consisting of 184 members, which were elected directly and independently of. While the pdp is the party that has governed nigeria since its transition into democracy in 1998, the apc was formed only in 20 through a coalition of four opposition parties. The nigerian independence constitution of 1960 oldnaija. May 07, 20 constitution and gave way to another one in 1954. Mar 09, 2020 constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date 1. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria pdf download. It came into effect on january 1, 1914 and has been amended a number of times including 1914, 1922, 1946. Summary sir john macpherson s constitution of 1951 was the first to be drawn with the inputs from nigerians and it served as a catalyst for federalism in nigeria. However, when nigeria gained her independence on october 1 st 1960, a home made constitution known as the independence constitution of 1960 was adopted which disposed the colonial 1954 lyttleton constitution, although it retained some of its features. Apr 27, 2018 nigeria is a formation of the constitution. That has been the journey so far of nigeria s constitution development, from the colonial era to the current 1999 edition, as amended.
Features of the 1963 constitution both the 1960 independence constitution the 1963 republic constitution were the same. The lyttleton constitution of 1954 is the fourth and the last of the preindependence constitutions of nigeria. The society for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts, the moravian mission, the mission of bremen, the methodists, and roman catholic missionaries all established themselves on the gold coast. The lyttleton constitution of 1954 is the fourth and the last of the pre independence constitutions of nigeria. Sir john macpherson was responsible for creating this constitution and its main highlight was the reported wide consultations with the different strata of the nigerian society before the constitution was created in 1951. The lyttleton constitution was enacted in 1954 and it established the federal principle and paved the way for nigeria s independence in 1960. Mar 02, 2020 obafemi awolowo, nigerian statesman who was a strong and influential advocate of independence, nationalism, and federalism. This first set of constitutions was passed in the following years. The lyttleton constitution was enacted in 1954 and it established the federal principle and paved the way for nigerias independence in 1960 features of lyttleton constitution of 1954. Jul 28, 2009 the federation of nigeria is the most populous and potentially the most powerful nation in africa. In the british colonies, as elsewhere, religious missions were instrumental in introducing europeanstyle education. He was pressured to do this by the caseley hayfordled west african congress in 1922, which was the year the first constitution was constituted for nigeria and a host of other west african countries colonized by the british, namely gambia, sierra leone and gold coast.
Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god, dedicated to the promotion of interafrican solidarity, world peace, international cooperation and understanding. As the british consolidated themselves in nigeria, they passed more stringent press laws. Features of the republican constitution of 1963 include. He was also known for his progressive views concerning social welfare. Difference between 1963 and 1979 constitution in nigeria. Nigeria and, subject to the provisions of section 4 of this constitution, if any other law. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria.
The outcome of the london conference of 1953 and that of lagos in 1954 formed the basis of the lytteton constitution which was named after the then secretary of state for the colonies mr. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1963. The long title alone defeats the very definition of a constitution. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date 1. Principles and concepts august 2014 about this series these constitutionbuilding primers are intended to assist incountry constitutionbuilding or constitutionalreform processes by. The approval of twothirds of both houses of parliament is required and the approval of a majority of both houses of the legislatures of at least two regions, and in any cases of all regions affected by the. The 1960 independence constitution provided for a democratic. The constitution, in nigeria s situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene. The lyttleton constitution was enacted in 1954 and it established the federal principle and paved the way for. There is a widened western educational gap between the north and south of nigeria with the predominantly muslim areas of the north lagging behind due to some. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet.
As from the appointed day, the british nationality act, 1948, shall have effect a with the substitution in subsection 3 of section one thereof which provides for persons to be british subjects. The act establishing the constitution was passed by the nigerian parliament, instead of the british parliament. It was soon racked by civil war but reemerged with a federal system which has been maintained up to the present. The postindependence generation is however made up of. Former british colonies where federal systems were tried but failed included burma 1948. The constitution retained some of the old structures but introduced some modifications thereto. The basic features of the 1999 constitution carenewsng. The constitution of 1946 was passew when the westminster style parliamentary constitution was enacted in the country. There would be a nigerian president as the constitutional head of state and commanderinchief of the armed forces to replace the queen of england. In the republican constitution of 1963 the president reigns but did not rule. Just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. The past, current peril and future hopes aderonke majekodunmi. This constitution shall have the force of law throughout nigeria and, subject to the provisions of section 4 of this constitution, if any other law including the constitution of a region is inconsistent with this constitution, this constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. Nigeria according to 1999 constitution is a sovereign state and it can be found in section 2 of the nigeria constitution.
Richards constitution was severely criticised by the nationalists, because it was imposed on nigerians without any prior consultation. Educational policy in nigeria hauwa imam educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the postindependence period hauwa imam1 abstract. The constitution of the federation of nigeria 1960 world statesmen. There is a widened western educational gap between the north and south of nigeria with the predominantly muslim areas of the north lagging behind due to some historical antecedents. It declared nigeria a federation, recognized the limited autonomy of the regions, and contin. The approach adopted is historical, from the legislation process of 1861 of lagos colony to 1914 as the period of national formation to 1999 constitution, including the unique features of each. History of nigerian constitutional development the. The lyttleton constitution was enacted in 1954 and it established the federal principle and paved the way for independence. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date. What changes were made in the constitution of nigeria in 1973. It had been noted earlier that nigeria has never had a constitution. Thus, in the colonial era, the constitution, where it existed, rather than being an instrument of empowerment was an instrument of domination. Historical development of the nigerian constitution.
In addition to its legislative function, the national assembly has broad oversight powers. Nigeria can be said to be operating the federal system of government, whereas in actual practice. In the first place, it removed the stigma of imperialism from the nigeria s political landscape and it was the first document to give nigerians the power to solve. The lyttelton constitution of 1954 was the product of the macpherson constitution which was. The preindependence generation is made up of 6 constitutional instruments, including. In order to express the criticisms, the nationalists of the herbert macaulay and dr nnamdi azikiwe toured important towns in the country, educating the people on the political issues at stake and collecting donations to send a protest delegation to london. Educational policy in nigeria from the colonial era to the. The constitution, in nigerias situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene.
The lyttleton constitution was enacted in 1954 and it established the federal principle and paved the way for nigeria s independence in 1960 features of lyttleton constitution of 1954. The man that formulated the first constitution for nigeria was sir hugh clifford. The central legislature now known as explain the importance of the lyttleton constitution of 1954. Despite some landm ark innovations in the 1963 constitution, it had its own contradictions. Oliver lyttleton constitution the decision arrived at in the 1953 london and 1954 lagos constitutional conferences, that were published and which came. Nigerias constitution guarantees everyone the freedom to say, write or publish anything he likes provided it does not contain any blasphemous, defamatory. While the nigerian constitution requires each house of the national.
Education education in british colonies and former colonies. The nigerian constitution of 1951 is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. In what ways was it different from the 1960 independence constitution. It provided a federal system of government in nigeria. Aug 03, 2019 the fundamental features of nigeria constitutional law are. Federalism has to do with the division of government, state and local government. These decisions made up most of the new constitution which came into effect in april 1954. Contents features of lyttleton constitutionmerits of lyttleton constitutiondemerits of lyttleton constitution features of lyttleton constitution there was a central legislature with. History of the nigerian constitution tweet the nigerian richards constitution of 1946.
The continents history and the contradictions and engagements of the postcolonial era have precipitated deep political fault lines and congealed interests on. A federal legislature consisting of 184 members, which were elected directly and independently of regional assemblies. The 1954 constitution was important because of the following reasons. The richards constitution of 1946 is another link in the chain of colonial or preindependence constitutions of nigeria.
On the whole, looking at the supremacy of the constitution and governance in nigeria, it is instructive to note that there has been poor culture of constitutionalism in nigeria. Constitution, 1954 colonial thoroughgoing federal system, with specified powers to the central government, and residual powers to the three regions. Thus, in the colonial era, the constitution, where it existed, rather than being an instrument of empowerment was an. Similarly, nigeria can trace its federal pattern back to 1954 so that it gained independence in 1960 as a federation. Ihonvbere the number one political contradiction or challenge in africa today is how to deal with the national question. Nigeria developed into a globally perceived free country, in 1960, after a time of expansionism under the british government which spread over about a century starting with the formal extension of lagos in 1861. The lyttleton constitution emerged from the decisions taken at the 1953 london and 1954 lagos constitutional conferences. Under this constitution nigeria retained queen elizabeth ii as titular head of state. You do not enact a constitution by an act of parliament or a decree. The only difference were the provision for ceremonial president 1963 in place of the queen of england 1960 and the judicial appeals system which terminated with the supreme court 1963 rather than the judicial committee of the brishpray limit 1960. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized.
Nigeria according to 1999 constitution is a sovereign state and it can be found in section 2 of the nigeria. Mar 17, 2016 history of nigerian constitutional development introduction. There would be a nigerian president as the constitutional head of state and commanderinchief of. Awolowo was born in ikenne, then part of the british colony and protectorate of southern nigeria. The eventual transformation of nigeria into a federal state started in 1954 as a result of the 1953 lyttleton constitution conference. The fundamental features of nigeria constitutional law are.
The lyttleton constitution of 1954 main features, merits and. It is important to know that these features can be further divided depending on the area the author of any book wants to elaborate on. British influence in the region began with the prohibition of slave trade to british subjects in 1807. One of the most significant changes made by the 1963 republican constitution. Features of the republican constitution of 1963 nigerian. Explain the importance of the lyttleton constitution of. Constitutionalism and the national question in nigeria julius o. Until 1954, when a federal form of government was formally introduced in nigeria, the press law of 1903 guided newspaper publications oyinbo, 1971.
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