### Lesson Plan: Constitutional Development in Nigeria – The Nigerian Council of 1914 and The National Congress of British West Africa
**Level:** Senior Secondary 2
**Subject:** Government
**Topic:** Constitutional Development in Nigeria - The Nigerian Council of 1914 and The National Congress of British West Africa
**Duration:** 80 minutes
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#### **Objectives:**
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Describe the pivotal events in constitutional development in Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Council of 1914 and the National Congress of British West Africa.
2. Analyze the significance and impact of the Nigerian Council of 1914 on the political landscape of Nigeria.
3. Explore the role and influence of the National Congress of British West Africa on the political affairs of Nigeria and other West African nations.
4. Discuss how these historical constitutional developments have shaped modern Nigeria.
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#### **Materials:**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and computer
- PowerPoint presentation
- Handouts with excerpts from historical documents
- Internet access for research activities
- Copies of the Nigerian Constitution (1914 version and later versions)
- Chart papers and markers for group activities
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#### **Lesson Outline:**
1. **Introduction (10 minutes)**
- Briefly recap the previous lesson on Nigerian history and the colonial period.
- Introduce the topic of constitutional development in Nigeria with a focus on the Nigerian Council of 1914 and the National Congress of British West Africa.
- State the learning objectives and the importance of understanding these events in the context of Nigeria's political evolution.
2. **Presentation (20 minutes)**
- Use a PowerPoint presentation to provide a structured overview:
1. **Nigerian Council of 1914:**
- Background and formation
- Objectives and key features
- Principal members and their roles
- Contributions to Nigeria’s political framework
2. **National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA):**
- Origins and founding members
- Goals and political pursuits
- Significant achievements and impacts
- Highlight the overall impact of these events on Nigeria's pathway to independence.
3. **Class Discussion (15 minutes)**
- Facilitate an open discussion on the following questions:
1. What were the major achievements of the Nigerian Council of 1914?
2. How did the National Congress of British West Africa influence political changes in Nigeria?
3. What were the limitations of these early constitutional developments?
4. **Group Activity (20 minutes)**
- Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a specific topic.
- Group 1: Research and present finding on the Nigerian Council of 1914
- Group 2: Research and present finding on the National Congress of British West Africa
- Provide access to handouts, library materials, and internet resources.
- Each group will present their findings to the class.
5. **Conclusions and Impact (10 minutes)**
- Summarize key points from the group presentations.
- Engage students in a discussion on how these historical elements are reflected in modern Nigeria’s political system.
- Highlight the continuous relevance of understanding such historical events.
6. **Assessment and Homework (5 minutes)**
- Distribute a short quiz covering key points from the lesson to assess student understanding.
- Assign homework for students to write a one-page essay on how the development of early councils and political congresses in Nigeria has influenced contemporary Nigerian politics.
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#### **Assessment:**
Students will be assessed through:
1. Participation in class discussions.
2. Group activity presentations.
3. Performance on the quiz.
4. Quality and depth of the homework essay.
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**Note:**
This lesson plan can be adjusted to fit a shorter or longer class period and can incorporate more interactive elements such as debates, role-plays, or guest lectures for an enhanced learning experience. Additionally, consider adapting materials to accommodate diverse learning needs and ensure accessibility for all students.