Ken Akpan
Sir Ahmadu Bello (1910–1966) was a major Nigerian political leader, especially influential in the Northern Nigeria.
Born in Rabah, Sokoto State on June 12, 1910, from a prominent family, descended from Usman dan Fodio through Sultan Muhammad Bello.
His education started with Islamic/ traditional schooling, Qur’an et cetera, then he attended Sokoto Provincial School, and the Katsina Training College, which later became part of what’s known as Barewa College.
He began his administrative career as a teacher, then was appointed District Head of Rabah in 1934. Later, he became Divisional Head of Gusau.
Around 1944 he was appointed Sardauna of Sokoto, a title denoting high status in the Sokoto Caliphate, and served as chief adviser to the Sultan.
He was one of the founders and leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), the dominant political party in Northern Nigeria during the struggle toward independence and early post-independence years.
In 1954 he became Premier of Northern Nigeria, a position he held until his death in 1966.
As Premier, he wielded considerable influence, especially given that Northern Nigeria was the largest region in the country in terms of population and land. He championed development in the north, particularly in education, infrastructure, and institutional modernization.
READ ALSO >>>
Meet past Nigeria’s Nationalist, Obafemi Awolowo
He was assassinated on 15 January 1966 in Kaduna during a military coup which overthrew the First Republic.
His legacy includes founding of educational institutions, notably Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and various developments in the North.
As Premier of Northern Nigeria, he oversaw the largest and most populous region in Nigeria, shaping its policies and governance.
He strongly supported regional autonomy within a federal structure, believing Nigeria’s regions should develop at their own pace.
He prioritized modern education, building many primary, secondary, and teacher-training schools across the north, as well as the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which was founded in 1962, named after him after his death, and later became one of Africa’s largest universities.
He established scholarship boards to send northern students abroad for higher studies.
He promoted the establishment of industries, agricultural projects, and regional development boards to reduce northern economic dependence.
He also expanded roads, healthcare facilities, and water supply schemes in the north, and equally championed rural development programmes and supported local leadership through the Emirate system.
While modernizing, he encouraged the retention of Islamic values and northern cultural identity. Though he was a strong Muslim leader, he promoted peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in his region.
Though focused on northern interests, he worked with other national leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo in the independence movement.
He would, therefore, be strongly remembered for his Advocacy for Nigeria’s independence, which was eventually achieved in 1960, as well as his support for a united Nigeria under federalism.
