Class: Senior Secondary School (SSS 3)

Subject: Government

Topic: Development of Political Parties in Nigeria (2nd Republic)

Sub-topic: National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP)

Duration: 40 Minutes

Instructional Materials: Nigerian political map, party logos (if available), pictures of political leaders, charts showing party structures

Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and role of political parties in Nigeria’s Second Republic.

2. Describe the formation, ideology, and leadership of NPN, UPN, and NPP.

3. Compare the objectives and manifestos of the three major parties.

4. Assess the contributions of these parties to Nigeria’s democratic development.

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief review of Nigeria’s First Republic and its collapse in 1966.

• Explain that the Second Republic (1979–1983) marked the return to civilian rule after years of military governance.

• Introduce the three major political parties that dominated the period.

Lesson Content (25 minutes)

1. National Party of Nigeria (NPN)

• Founded: 1978

• Leader: Alhaji Shehu Shagari

• Headquarters: Lagos

• Political Base: Strong in the North, with national outlook

• Ideology: Conservatism; promoted national unity, agriculture (Green Revolution), and mixed economy

• Achievements:

  • Won the 1979 and 1983 general elections

  • Shehu Shagari became the first executive president

  • Initiated major housing and agricultural programs

• Criticisms: Accused of corruption, poor economic management, and political intolerance

2. Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN)

• Founded: 1978

• Leader: Chief Obafemi Awolowo

• Headquarters: Lagos

• Political Base: South-West Nigeria (Yoruba-speaking areas)

• Ideology: Progressive socialism; focus on welfare and social justice

• Key Programs:

  • Free education at all levels

  • Free healthcare

  • Integrated rural development

  • Full employment

• Legacy: Known for effective governance in Western Nigeria and emphasis on social services

3. Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP)

• Founded: 1978

• Leader: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

• Headquarters: Lagos

• Political Base: Eastern Nigeria (Igbo-speaking areas)

• Ideology: Liberal democracy, national unity, and development

• Achievements:

  • Participated actively in national politics

  • Controlled several states in the East

  • Formed a brief alliance with NPN in 1979

• Legacy: Advocated for unity and had a strong intellectual foundation

Comparison of the Parties

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THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA | S S 2 Government

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Summarize the key features of each party.

• Emphasize how these parties reflected Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity.

• Discuss how their ideologies shaped political engagement during the Second Republic.

Evaluation Questions

1. Name the three major political parties of Nigeria’s Second Republic.

2. Who were the leaders of NPN, UPN, and NPP?

3. State two ideologies or policies of each party.

4. Why did the NPN form an alliance with the NPP in 1979?

Assignment

Write a short essay on:
“The Impact of the Political Parties of the Second Republic on Nigeria’s Democratic Development.”