**Lesson Plan: History – Military Rule in Nigeria: Sani Abacha**
**Grade Level:** Primary 6
**Subject:** History
**Topic:** Military Rule in Nigeria: Sani Abacha
**Duration:** 60 minutes
**Objective:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand the key events and characteristics of Sani Abacha's rule in Nigeria.
2. Identify the impact of military rule on Nigeria’s politics and society.
3. Discuss the human rights issues and economic changes during Abacha’s regime.
**Materials Needed:**
- Textbook or handout on Sani Abacha's rule
- Projector or smartboard
- Whiteboard and markers
- Pictures and short video clips of key events
- Chart paper and markers for group activity
**Lesson Outline:**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- **Greeting and Attendance:** Welcome students and take attendance.
- **Hook:** Show a short video clip (2-3 minutes) about Sani Abacha’s rule to capture students’ interest and attention.
- **Learning Objectives:** Clearly state the objectives of the lesson so students understand what they will learn.
2. **Teacher Input (15 minutes)**
- **Introduction to Sani Abacha:**
- Present key facts about Sani Abacha: his background, rise to power, and the time period he ruled (1993-1998).
- **Political Context:**
- Briefly explain the political situation in Nigeria prior to and during Abacha's regime.
- **Notable Events:**
- Highlight major events, such as the dissolution of democratic institutions, the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni activists, and the introduction of new currency.
- **Economic Policies:**
- Discuss the economic reforms and their impact, including the centralization of oil revenue.
- **Human Rights Issues:**
- Outline the human rights violations and the suppression of opposition during his rule.
3. **Guided Practice (15 minutes)**
- **Discussion:**
- Engage students in a discussion about the impact of Abacha’s rule on Nigeria's political landscape. Ask open-ended questions to stimulate critical thinking:
- "What are some potential positive and negative impacts of a military ruler?"
- "Why do you think human rights are important in a democratic society?"
4. **Independent Practice (10 minutes)**
- **Group Activity:**
- Divide students into small groups and provide each group with chart paper and markers.
- Assign each group a specific aspect of Abacha’s rule to discuss (e.g., economic policies, human rights, political actions).
- Each group will create a poster summarizing their aspect and present it to the class.
5. **Closure (5 minutes)**
- **Summary:**
- Summarize the key points discussed in class. Reinforce the lesson objectives and highlight how Abacha’s rule has influenced contemporary Nigeria.
- **Students’ Feedback:**
- Ask students what they found most interesting about the lesson and if they have any remaining questions.
6. **Assessment (5 minutes)**
- **Exit Ticket:**
- Provide each student with an "exit ticket" and ask them to write down one thing they learned and one question they still have about the topic.
**Homework:**
- Assign students to write a short paragraph on how military rule can affect a country’s development, using information from the lesson.
**Extension Activities (for advanced or early finishers):**
- Encourage students to research more about Sani Abacha’s successors and their attempts to return Nigeria to civilian rule. They can present their findings in the next class.
**Reflection:**
- After the lesson, reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Take note of student engagement, understanding, and participation to adjust future lesson plans accordingly.