Tafawa Balewa

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria. A dominant figure of Nigerian Independence, he was a conservative Anglophile. His political career spanned almost a quarter of a century.

Quotes

• "Today is Independence Day. The first of October 1960 is a date to which every Nigerian has eagerly looked forward. At last, our great day has arrived."

• "Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept these constitutional instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria's independence."
  • , Reflecting on Nigeria's independence

• "We must show the world that we are capable of managing our own affairs and of building a nation founded on justice and mutual respect."
  • Mr. Prime Minister: Speaking on the responsibilities of self-government

• "The strength of Nigeria lies in the unity of her diverse peoples."
  • Discussing national unity

• "Our independence will have little meaning unless it is used to improve the welfare of our people."

• It took the nation lots of battle to gain its sovereignty and as such leaders must be willing to “play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilisation.”
  • Tafawa Balewa speaking on the independence day]

• Each step of our constitutional advance has been purposefully and peacefully planned with full and open consultation, not only between representatives of all the various interests in Nigeria but in harmonious cooperation with the administering power which has today relinquished its authority.

• Since 1914, the British Government has been trying to make Nigeria into one country, but the Nigerian people themselves are historically different in their backgrounds, in their religious beliefs and customs and do not show themselves any sign of willingness to unite... Nigerian unity is only a British intention for the country.

• “Each step of our constitutional advance has been purposefully and peacefully planned with full and open consultation, not only between representatives of all the various interests in Nigeria but in harmonious cooperation with the administering power which has today relinquished its authority”

• I am pleased to see that we are now all agreed that the Federal system is, under present conditions, the only sure basis on which Nigeria will remain united. We must recognize our diversity and the peculiar conditions under which the different tribal communities live in this country – Tafawa Balewa, 1957