This iconic photograph brings together three of Nigeria’s most influential nationalist leaders—Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Obafemi Awolowo—men whose political vision and leadership shaped the country’s path to independence and the fragile years of early nationhood. Captured during the constitutional negotiations of the late 1950s that paved the way for independence in 1960, the image embodies the delicate alliance of regional leaders who worked—sometimes in competition, often in uneasy partnership—to define Nigeria’s federal destiny.
Nnamdi Azikiwe: The “Father of Nigerian Nationalism”
On the left stands Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996), affectionately called “Zik of Africa.” A journalist turned statesman and pan-Africanist, Azikiwe used the press as a weapon against colonial rule and helped awaken nationalist consciousness across West Africa.
He co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944 and became Nigeria’s first indigenous Governor-General (1960–1963) before assuming office as the country’s first President (1963–1966) when Nigeria became a republic.
Azikiwe’s vision of a united, democratic Nigeria and his belief in non-violent, constitutional methods made him a bridge-builder among Nigeria’s many ethnic and regional groups. His writings and political strategy earned him the title “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” inspiring future generations of African leaders.
Sir Ahmadu Bello: The Premier of the North
At the center is Sir Ahmadu Bello (1910–1966), Sardauna of Sokoto and the first—and only—Premier of Northern Nigeria. A descendant of the Sokoto Caliphate’s founder, Usman dan Fodio, Bello co-founded the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and became the most powerful political figure in the North.
During the independence negotiations, Bello deliberately chose to remain Premier of the Northern Region, elevating his protégé Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister. This decision demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the North’s political base while allowing for a national government that reflected Nigeria’s federal character.
Bello championed education, regional development, and political modernization, ensuring that Northern Nigeria entered independence with a stronger institutional footing. His assassination during Nigeria’s first military coup in January 1966 cut short a towering career, but his influence on northern politics remains profound.
Obafemi Awolowo: Visionary of the West
On the right stands Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909–1987), Premier of the Western Region and founder of the Action Group (AG). Awolowo introduced free primary education and comprehensive health-care initiatives, making Western Nigeria the first in Africa to achieve near-universal primary schooling.
A trained lawyer, economist and political strategist, Awolowo was a strong advocate of federalism as the best system to manage Nigeria’s diversity. After independence, he served as Leader of the Opposition in the federal parliament, providing an articulate counterweight to the ruling coalition and shaping national debate on economic planning and social welfare.
Awolowo’s progressive policies and intellectual rigor earned him enduring respect as one of Nigeria’s foremost thinkers and reformers.
A Shared Legacy of Nation-Building
Though they represented different regions and parties—the NCNC in the East, the NPC in the North, and the Action Group in the West—Azikiwe, Bello and Awolowo were united in their determination to end British colonial rule and lay the foundation of a federal Nigeria.
Their collaboration and rivalry defined the years leading up to 1 October 1960, when Nigeria achieved independence. Yet their regional power bases and competing visions for the young nation also foreshadowed the political tensions that would later test Nigeria’s unity.
This historic photograph captures more than three men; it captures a pivotal moment when the dream of a united, independent Nigeria rested on the shoulders of leaders whose legacies continue to shape the nation’s political landscape.
Sources
James S. Coleman, Nigeria: Background to Nationalism (University of California Press, 1958).
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
