Top 10 Nigerian nationalists and the surprising facts most history books leave out entirely

It is impossible not to mention Nigerian nationalists when talking about independence and democracy in this country. Nationalists in Nigeria were willing to die for the sake of their people. Sati Umaru Fwatshak, a Professor of History at the University of Jos, offers valuable insights into the efforts of Nigerian nationalists in the fight for social justice and human rights.

Key takeaways

• Nigerian nationalists helped end British colonial rule and secure independence in 1960 through activism and political negotiations.
• Leaders such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Anthony Enahoro shaped Nigeria's independence movement.
• Female activists including Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and Kudirat Abiola championed women's rights and democratic freedoms.

List of 10 Nigerian nationalists and their contributions

Nigerian nationalists promoted nationwide unity and emphasised inter-cultural connections among Nigerians. The NCNC movement promoted a sense of identity and pride among the people. These accomplishments helped the movements and the nationalists to bring freedom to Nigeria in 1960. Below are pictures of Nigerian nationalist and their contributions.

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10. Obafemi Awolowo

• Born: 6 March 1909
• Birthplace: Ikenne, Nigeria
• Died: 9 May 1987
• Spouse: Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo (1937–1987)
• Children: 5
• Party: Unity Party of Nigeria

Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo is among the foremost Nigerian nationalists of the 20th century. The lawyer studied commerce and was interested in journalism. He established the Nigerian Tribune newspaper in 1949 to spread the idea of nationalism countrywide.

Beyond founding the Nigerian Tribune, Obafemi Awolowo championed federalism and regional autonomy. As Premier of Western Nigeria, he introduced free primary education and healthcare reforms that became models for governance across Africa. His constitutional ideas significantly influenced Nigeria's path toward self-government.

9. Herbert Macaulay

• Born: 14 November 1864
• Birthplace: Lagos Colony
• Died: 7 May 1946May 7, 1946
• Children: 2
• Spouse: Caroline Pratt (1898–1899)
• Party: Nigerian National Democratic Party

Olayinka Herbert Samuel Heelas Badmus Macaulay was a prominent nationalist leader in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was highly educated and talented. Herbert was good at engineering and music. He studied architecture, loved journalism, was a well-known politician, and helped establish the nationalist movement in Nigeria.

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Often called the "Father of Nigerian Nationalism," Herbert Macaulay used newspapers, public campaigns, and political organising to challenge colonial policies. In 1923, he founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), Nigeria's first political party, which gave Nigerians a stronger voice in governance.

8. Nnamdi Azikiwe

• Born: 16 November 1904
• Birthplace: Zungeru, Nigeria
• Died: 11 May 1996
• Children: 9
• Spouses: Uche Azikiwe (1973–1996), Flora Azikiwe (1936–1983), Ugoye Azikiwe
• Party: National Convention of Nigerian Citizens

Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe earned the name "Zik" from his countrymen. People also regard him as the ‘father of Nigerian nationalism,' because he was the first President of Nigeria. Nnamdi ruled from October 1963 to January 1966.

Through newspapers such as the West African Pilot, Nnamdi Azikiwe inspired political awareness and nationalist sentiment across ethnic lines. His advocacy for self-rule helped transform nationalism from an elite movement into a mass struggle involving ordinary Nigerians. His name will always be remembered on the list of nationalist leaders as the first president.

7. Ahmadu Bello

• Born: 12 June 1910
• Birthplace: Rabah, Nigeria
• Children: 5
• Assassinated: 15 January 1966, in Kaduna, Nigeria
• Spouses: Amiru Fadima (1936–1938), Hafsatu Ahmadu Bello (1932–1966)
• Party: Northern People's Congress

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Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello was the only premier of Northern Nigeria. He served in the position from 1954 until 1966. This renowned Nigerian nationalist, Nnamdi Azikiwe, fought against British rule with all they had. Their movement successfully led Nigeria to freedom.

As the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello promoted education, modernisation, and political participation in Northern Nigeria. He played a key role in negotiating constitutional arrangements that ultimately led to independence.

6. Anthony Enahoro

• Born: 22 July 1923
• Birthplace: Uromi, Nigeria
• Died: 15 December 2010
• Children: 1
• Spouse: Helen Enahoro (married 1954)
• Party: Movement for National Reformation

Anthony Eromosele Enahoro played a significant role in helping Nigerians attain independence. He participated in politics and edited a newspaper founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe. Enahoro is among the Nigerian heroes of the mid-1940s because he was the youngest newspaper editor. He took up the job at age 21.

In 1953, Anthony Enahoro famously moved the motion for Nigeria's self-government in the House of Representatives. This action accelerated constitutional negotiations and is regarded as one of the most important milestones on the road to independence.

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5. Kudirat Abiola

• Born: 1951
• Birthplace: Zaria, Nigeria
• Children: 7
• Assassinated: 4 June 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria
• Spouse: Moshood Abiola (1973–1996)
• Party: Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Alhaja Kudirat Abiola is also among the leading figures in Nigeria's struggle for democracy after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election. She married Moshood Olawale. Moshood won the 1993 presidential election, but Ibrahim Babangida (the military head of state) annulled the results.

Kudirat inspired millions to fight the military government's dictatorship. She was assassinated while her husband was in detention.

4. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

• Born: 25 October 1900
• Birthplace: Abeokuta, Nigeria
• Children: 4
• Died: 13 April 1978, in Lagos, Nigeria
• Spouse: Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti (1925–1955)
• Party: Commoners' People's Party

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is also among the female nationalists in Nigeria, celebrated as a hero of the past. She was a teacher, an active member of the Movement of the People party, and a women's rights activist. The world remembers Funmilayo as the first Nigerian woman to drive a car and the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School.

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Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti organised thousands of women through the Abeokuta Women's Union to challenge unfair taxation and discriminatory colonial policies. Her activism helped establish women's political participation in Nigeria.

3. Mallam Kano

• Born: 9 August 1920
• Birthplace: Kano, Nigeria
• Died: 17 April 1983
• Children: Hajiya Maryam Aminu Kano
• Spouse: Hajiya Shatu Aminu Kano
• Parties: NEPU, People's Redemption Party

Mallam Aminu Kano was a tough member of the nationalist movement in the 1940s. He led a socialist movement in northern Nigeria. Aminu suffered a stroke due to cerebral malaria. His wife, Shatu, found him dead on 17 April 1983.

Through the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), Aminu Kano advocated for social equality and challenged the dominance of traditional elites. He became one of Nigeria's strongest voices for the poor and marginalised.

2. Gani Fawehinmi

• Born: 22 April 1938
• Birthplace: Ondo, Nigeria
• Died: 5 September 2009
• Children: 14
• Spouse: Ganiat Bukun Fawehinmi (1965–2009), Abike Fawehinmi
• Party: National conservatism, Social conservatism

Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was a foremost Nigerian nationalist. He was an author, publisher, philanthropist, human and civil rights activist, politician, and lawyer.

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Fawehinmi was passionate about journalism and national affairs. His college mates nicknamed him 'Nation.' He died on 5 September 2009, after a long battle with lung cancer.

1. Margaret Ekpo

• Born: 27 July 1914
• Birthplace: Creek Town, Nigeria
• Died: 21 September 2006
• Spouse: Udo Ekpo (married 1938)
• Party: National Convention of Nigerian Citizens

Calabar Airport tops the list of the top five nationalist in Nigeria and their roles. She was named after Margaret Ekpo. She fought for the British government for not allowing Nigerian women to vote, among other issues. Ekpo died at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar and was buried in a mausoleum at Hawkins Cemetery built by the state government.

Margaret Ekpo mobilised women politically in Eastern Nigeria and fought for voting rights and representation. Her activism contributed significantly to expanding women's democratic participation.

How did Nigerian nationalists fight for social justice and human rights?

In an interview with Legit.ng, Professor Sati Umaru Fwatshak, a Professor of History at the University of Jos, discussed the diverse array of nationalists in Nigeria who championed social justice and human rights. He also offered insights into the present status of these domains within the country. Professor Sati said:

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We had what historians call traditional nationalists. These people operated during the era of primary resistance. That was when the British colonial power was conquering Nigeria. And everywhere the British went, they met resistance from people who wanted to retain their independence and autonomy.

The British, however, conquered Nigeria by force. The context for understanding social justice and human rights in the era of primary resistance can be related to the struggle for autonomy and respect for the sovereignty of nations.

There was also what is generally termed modern nationalism. It focuses more on the political struggles and transitions from colonial rule to independence. In this type of nationalism, the educated elite provided leadership. They asked for accommodation or inclusion in the governance structure and process. They said the colonialists excluded them from power; they wanted to be members of the Legislative Assembly, they wanted a legislative council, and they wanted to participate in governance. So, the initial focus was participation and inclusion.

The British colonial power started including them in governance and formalized this with the Constitution of the 1920s. The nationalists kept asking for more until they demanded independence by the 1940s, specifically after the Second World War. A number of factors aided this demand. The principal reason was that the US and the USSR (now Russia) emerged as superpowers after the World Wars and, using the instrumentality of the United Nations, instructed European colonial powers to grant independence to their colonies.

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The nationalists gathered energy and started negotiating for independence through constitutional conferences and other meetings in Lagos and London. Eventually, power was handed over to them first in the early 1950s when the regions gained self-rule, and finally, in 1960, independence was granted to Nigeria.

All these were parts of the processes towards independence because the nationalists were now saying they wanted independence from the British. But what kind of Nigeria are we going to have? The question was, will they have a Nigeria that one person controls and the others have nothing to say? The nationalists did not like that but opted for Nigeria, which had a weak center and strong regions, and that was how they managed to win independence.

In a nutshell, the nationalists transited from inclusion to total independence, and in all these processes, they won. Social justice and human rights in modern nationalism relate to running an inclusive government and the withdrawal of foreigners from governance. If contemporary politicians understand social justice this way, we will have a better-governed Nigeria, where no section is marginalized or excluded.

Professor Sati also highlighted instances of activism in Nigeria that opposed colonial policies, including the Aba Women's Riot, which protested colonial taxation, and the Cocoa Hold-Up, in which cocoa producers advocated for fair pricing to protect their economic interests.

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Political parties formed by Nigerian nationalists

Professor Sati discussed the formation of political parties by Nigerian nationalists in their pursuit of independence from British colonial rule. These parties included:

• Northern People's Congress (NPC): The ruling party in the North.
• United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC): Represented the non-emirate peoples in the North.
• Borno Youth Movement (BYM): Advocated for the northeast minorities.
• Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU): Represented the North's oppressed elements, mainly Hausa.
• Action Group: The ruling party in Western Nigeria.
• Nigerian National Democratic Party: Represented minorities in the Western Region.
• National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC): The ruling party in the southeast region.

Lesser-known nationalists in Nigeria

Professor Sati noted that each locality in Nigeria harboured lesser-known nationalists, often overlooked in national historical narratives. From his locality of Plateau State (formerly the Plateau Province), he highlighted leaders of the United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) who fought for the rights of northern ethnic minorities. These include:

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• Joseph Tarka (a Tiv from the then Benue Province)
• Pastor David Lot
• Mr. Patrick Dokotri
• Mr Moses Rwang (of the then Plateau Province)

In Bauchi, there was Mallam Sa’adu Zungur. An exploration of local histories will yield more names across Nigeria. With the restoration of History as a subject at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) level, it will be possible to highlight these less-known Nigerian nationalists in their localities.

Who was the first Nigerian nationalist?

Herbert Macaulay is considered to be the founder of Nigerian nationalism. His influence began in the 1920s.

Who were the nationalist leaders?

Nigerian nationalist leaders were individuals who led the struggle against British colonial rule and advocated for self-government and independence. Prominent leaders included Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello. Their efforts helped pave the way for Nigeria's independence in 1960.

What are the names of nationalists in Nigeria?

Among the top 10 most mentioned nationalists in Nigeria are Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Anthony Enahoro, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, and Aminu Kano. These figures played significant roles in promoting political awareness, social justice, and independence.

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Who are the three foremost Nigerian nationalists in Southern Nigeria?

There are over 20 Nigerian nationalists; however, the top three foremost Nigerian nationalists from Southern Nigeria are generally regarded as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo. Macaulay laid the foundation of organised nationalism, Azikiwe mobilised mass support for independence, and Awolowo championed constitutional reforms and self-government.

Who is the father of nationalism in Nigeria?

Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay are regarded as the fathers of Nigerian nationalism. They fought to establish the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944.

Who fought for Nigeria to gain independence?

Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe was among those who led Nigeria to independence on 1 October 1960. He also became Nigeria's first president.

How did nationalism start in Nigeria?

Economic depression in Lagos led to unemployment, retrenchment, and economic hardships, which worsened in the early 1930s. Wages fell, forcing people to push for reforms because the British government ignored their outcry.

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Which political party did Herbert Macaulay found?

Herbert Macaulay founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923, the country's first political party.

Which female nationalist had the greatest influence in Nigeria?

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo are widely regarded as among the most influential female nationalists for their advocacy of women's rights and political participation.

These 10 full names of Nigerian nationalists contributed greatly to their country. Nigeria could have had a different story if these legends had not aggressively pushed the British government to free their people. Nigerians now enjoy the fruits of these heroes' hardships.

Legit.ng also posted the top 12 Nigerian sports heroes and heroines. Nigeria is good at football, athletics, basketball, boxing, dambe, and table tennis.

Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria. Its national football team regularly competes for international titles. Many Nigerian footballers play in Europe, especially in England.

Source: Legit.ng