ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was
a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Originally a
trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interests as one of the few educated
Nigerians of his time. He was also an international statesman, widely respected across the
African continent as one of the leaders who encouraged the formation of the Organisation of
African Unity (OAU). Nicknamed the Golden Voice of Africa because of his oratory, he
stands as one of only three National Heroes of the Nigerian Nation.

Early life and career

Abubakar Balewa was born late in 1912 in Bauchi, the son of a Bageri Muslim district head
in the Bauchi divisional district of Lere. He started early education at the Koranic School in
Bauchi and like most of his contemporaries, he studied at the Katsina College for further
education and soon acquired his teaching certificate. He returned to Bauchi to teach at the
Bauchi Middle School. In 1944, along with a few learned teachers from the north, he was
chosen to study abroad for a year at the University of London's Institute of Education. Upon
returning to Nigeria, he became an Inspector of Schools for the colonial administration and
later entered politics. He was elected in 1946, to the colony's Northern House of Assembly,
and to the Legislative Assembly in 1947. As a legislator, he was a vocal advocate of the
rights of northern Nigeria, and together with Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, who held the hereditary
title of Sardauna of Sokoto, he founded the Northern People's Congress (NPC).

From self-government to independence

Balewa Administration

Balewa entered the government in 1952 as Minister of Works, and later served as Minister of
Transport. In 1957, he was elected Chief Minister, forming a coalition government between
the NPC and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by Nnamdi
Azikiwe. He retained the post as Prime Minister when Nigeria gained independence in 1960,
and was reelected in 1964.

Prior to Nigeria's independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional

political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount of political
freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse cultural groups. The premiers and
some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against
political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment

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influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional
factionalism constantly threatening his government.

However, as Prime Minister of Nigeria, he played important roles in the continent's formative
indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the Organisation of African
Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with French speaking African countries. He was
also instrumental in negotiations between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese authorities
during the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He led a vocal protest against the Sharpeville
Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who
wanted South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961. However, a treason charge and
conviction against one of the western region's leaders, Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and
condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced
violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as
inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo's
western opponents.

As Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as
Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official
Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of Jaja
Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the first substantive Nigerian Minister of Foreign
Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs.

Honours

In January 1960, Balewa was knighted by Elizabeth II as a Knight Commander of the Order
of the British Empire. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of
Sheffield in May, 1960.[1]

Overthrow

He was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on January 15, 1966, as were many other
leaders, including his old companion Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still
remain unresolved. His body was discovered by a roadside near Lagos six days after he was
ousted from office. Balewa was buried in Bauchi. News of his murder spurred violent riots
throughout Northern Nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody counter-coup of July 1966.
Today, his portrait adorns the 5 Naira Note. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
University in Bauchi is named in his honour.