Isabella Carter
The last constitutional conference held before Nigerian independence took place in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 25 and 26, 1963. This conference resulted in a new constitution that focused on establishing Nigeria's independence from colonial Britain. The constitution abolished the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as the Nigerian head of state and replaced her with an elected president. It also replaced the Privy Council with the Federal Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal. This conference and the resulting constitution were significant steps in Nigeria's transition to independence, which was officially granted on October 1, 1960, and further affirmed when Nigeria became a republic on October 1, 1963.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 25th and 26th of July, 1963 |
| Location | Lagos |
| Outcome | A new constitution was enacted on October 1, 1963, which focused on making Nigeria independent from colonial Britain |
| Constitution Details | Abolished the British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as the Nigerian Head of State and replaced with a President, with a five-year term, elected by the members of the National Assembly and the House of Reps |
| Constitution Details | Replaced the Privy Council with the Federal Supreme Court |
| Previous Conferences | Regional conferences in Enugu, Ibadan, and Kaduna; London and Lagos conferences in 1954 |
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What You'll Learn
The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution
The Lyttleton Constitution introduced several changes to the country's governmental structure. It abolished the West African Court of Appeal and established the Nigerian Supreme Court, along with some regional high courts. The constitution also granted real law-making powers to the regional legislatures, allowing them to govern themselves and make laws independent of the central government. This clear division of powers between the central and regional governments was a defining feature of the constitution.
The constitution made no provision for the office of the prime minister, instead retaining the Governor-General as the President of the Council of Ministers. It also did not provide for a second chamber at the Federal Legislative House. The leaders of the major political parties were not included in the council of ministers, which meant that those appointed continued to take instructions from the regions where their party leaders were based.
Another important aspect of the Lyttleton Constitution was the establishment of the office of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the regional legislatures, except for the North. It also led to the regionalization of the public service, marketing boards, and the judiciary, further strengthening the federal structure of the country.
The Lyttleton Constitution played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria's path towards independence and provided a foundation for the country's future constitutional advancements. However, it did have certain limitations, including its failure to address the imbalance created by Richard's Constitution, which made the North twice the size of the entire South.
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Regional conferences
The last constitutional conference held before Nigerian independence took place in Lagos from July 25 to July 26, 1963. This conference resulted in a new constitution focused on making Nigeria independent from colonial Britain.
In the years leading up to independence, several regional conferences were held in Nigeria, including in Enugu, Ibadan, and Kaduna. These regional conferences played a significant role in shaping the country's constitution and governance structure.
The first regional conferences took place in 1951, resulting in the formation of a unified Federal System of Government while retaining regional autonomy for Nigeria's three geopolitical regions. This was a major milestone, as it provided for the Federal House of Representatives, with members elected from the North, West, and East regions.
In 1954, another round of regional conferences was held, resulting in the Lyttleton Constitution. This constitution abolished the West African Court of Appeal and established the Nigerian Supreme Court and regional high courts. It also granted regional governments legislative powers independent of the central government, allowing them to govern themselves. Lagos was designated as the Federal Capital Territory, administered by Ministers with specific portfolios.
The Southern Cameroons, which had been part of the Eastern Region, was granted autonomy and continued as quasi-federal territory within Nigeria. This arrangement was agreed upon with the representatives of the Southern Cameroons and endorsed by other Nigerian delegations. The judiciary, police, and public service were insulated from politics, ensuring their independence.
The regional conferences contributed to the development of a widely consulted and locally participatory constitution in Nigeria, addressing institutional loopholes and managing tensions and ethnic violence. They paved the way for Nigeria's eventual independence and the establishment of a federal system with an elected prime minister and a ceremonial head of state.
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The 1951 Constitution
The Macpherson Constitution provided for regional autonomy and a federal union, creating a central government with a Council of Ministers. This encouraged political participation and party activity at the national level. However, it retained broad legislative powers for the regional governments, which could not be overridden by the newly established 185-seat federal House of Representatives. This significantly boosted regionalism.
The Macpherson Constitution was drafted through consultations at five levels: the Village, District, Divisional, Provincial, and Regional levels. Regional conferences took place in Enugu, Ibadan, and Kaduna, contributing to its reputation as a widely consulted and local participatory constitution.
A key feature of the 1951 Constitution was the formation of a unified Federal System of Government for the first time in Nigeria. This system retained the regional autonomy of the three geopolitical regions of the country. The constitution provided for a Federal House of Representatives, with 136 elected members: 68 from the North, 34 from the West, 34 from the East, and 6 "ex-officio" members.
Despite its significance, the Macpherson Constitution was not without its shortcomings. Nigeria's quest for full independence, concerns about institutional loopholes, and the need to address ethnic tensions and violence led to the adoption of subsequent constitutions, including the 1954 Lyttleton Constitution and the 1960 Constitution, which paved the way for Nigeria's independence from British colonial rule.
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The 1960 Constitution
The shortcomings of the 1960 Constitution were addressed in the 1963 Constitution, which was enacted following a constitutional conference held in Lagos on 25-26 July. This new constitution abolished the British Monarch as the Nigerian Head of State and replaced them with a President, elected by the members of Nigeria's Federal legislature. It also replaced the Privy Council with the Federal Supreme Court.
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The 1963 Constitution
Nigeria has had many constitutions, with the current form enacted on May 29, 1999, establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic. The country's structure and composition are a legacy of British colonial rule, and its diversity has contributed to Nigeria being considered one of the world's most deeply divided countries, with widespread political corruption. As a result, there have been numerous attempts to establish an effective constitution, including various systems of rule and government.
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Frequently asked questions
The last constitutional conference before Nigerian independence was held in Lagos, Nigeria, between July 25 and 26, 1963.
The conference resulted in a new constitution enacted on October 1, 1963, which focused on making Nigeria independent from colonial Britain. This constitution abolished the British monarch as the Nigerian Head of State and replaced them with a directly elected President.
The 1963 constitution also replaced the Privy Council with the Federal Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal, and designated Lagos as the Federal Capital Territory. It further provided for a ceremonial President, similar to the British Head of State, and established a federal system with an elected Prime Minister.
Yes, there were earlier constitutional conferences held in Lagos, Nigeria, and London, UK, in 1954, which resulted in the 1954 Constitution (also known as the Lyttleton Constitution). This constitution abolished the West African Court of Appeal and established the Nigerian Supreme Court, as well as granting regional governments more independence from the central government.
