### Lesson Plan: Major Political Crises in Nigeria
**Grade Level:** Senior Secondary 2
**Subject:** Government
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Topic:** Major Political Crises in Nigeria
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#### Objectives:
1. **Knowledge**: Students will identify and describe major political crises in Nigeria's history.
2. **Analysis**: Students will examine the causes and impacts of these crises on Nigerian society and governance.
3. **Critical Thinking**: Students will evaluate the roles of various factors and stakeholders in these crises.
4. **Discussion**: Students will engage in constructive discussions on the possible solutions and future implications for Nigerian politics.
#### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector/Smartboard
- PowerPoint presentation
- Printed handouts with summaries of key political crises
- Videos/documentaries on select crises (if available)
- Discussion questions
- Large paper and markers for group activities
#### Lesson Structure:
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- **Warm-Up Activity**: Quick poll or quiz to gauge students' prior knowledge of Nigerian political crises.
- **Objective Overview**: Briefly outline the day's learning objectives.
- **Engaging Question**: Ask students to brainstorm and share what they know about political crises in Nigeria.
2. **Presentation (15 minutes)**
- **PowerPoint Slide Show**: Present a timeline of major political crises in Nigeria, with a focus on:
- The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
- Military Coups (1966, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1993)
- The annulment of the 1993 presidential election
- Niger Delta conflicts
- Boko Haram insurgency
- **Visual Aids**: Use maps, photos, and voice clips to enhance understanding.
- **Short Video Clip**: Play a documentary excerpt on one of the crises.
3. **Group Activity (20 minutes)**
- **Divide the Class** into small groups and assign each group a specific crisis to analyze.
- **Handouts**: Provide each group with a summary and questions to guide their discussion.
- **Discussion Topics**: Causes, key events, key figures, impacts on the society and government, current status, and lessons learned.
- **Group Presentations**: Each group presents their findings briefly.
4. **Class Discussion (10 minutes)**
- **Facilitated Discussion**: Guide the class through a discussion on the common themes identified across different crises.
- **Discussion Questions**:
- What were the main causes behind these crises?
- How have these crises shaped Nigeria’s current political landscape?
- What measures could prevent such crises in the future?
5. **Conclusion (5 minutes)**
- **Recap**: Summarize the key points discussed in class.
- **Reflection Question**: Ask students to reflect on one thing they learned today that surprised them.
- **Preview Homework**: Assign students an essay or presentation on one of the discussed crises, focusing on its long-term impact on Nigeria.
6. **Homework Assignment**:
- **Essay/Paper**: Write an essay on the long-term impact of one of Nigeria's political crises, incorporating information from class and own research.
- **Presentation Option**: Alternatively, students can choose to prepare a short presentation.
#### Assessment:
- **Formative**: Participation in group activities and class discussion; understanding assessed through observation.
- **Summative**: Essay or presentation assessing comprehension, analytical skills, and ability to communicate findings effectively.
#### Additional Resources:
- Books and articles on Nigerian history and political science.
- Websites like BBC News, CNN, and local Nigerian news outlets for current perspectives.
- Documentaries such as "Nigeria: Giant of Africa" and "The Nigerian Civil War" (available online).
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By the end of the lesson, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the major political crises in Nigeria, their causes, impacts, and the lessons learned, contributing to a more nuanced perspective on Nigerian governance and history.