Statecraft & Independence
Landmark
Obafemi Awolowo
1909 – 1987
First Premier of the Western Region, and the architect of free education
Landmark is level 2 of 4 in the Nigeria Hall of Fame: a first that opened a door, or the pre-eminent figure of their generation in this country. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
He built the Western Region into the best-schooled place in Africa with free primary education, and argued the federal idea that Nigeria still runs on.
Born in 1909, Awolowo founded the Action Group in 1947 while studying law in England, and became the first Premier of the Western Region.
His government introduced free primary education and the first television service in Africa. He was among the central figures of the independence campaign between 1957 and 1960, and remained the most forceful advocate of federalism for the rest of his life.
His government introduced free primary education and the first television service in Africa. He was among the central figures of the independence campaign between 1957 and 1960, and remained the most forceful advocate of federalism for the rest of his life.
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will check it.