Ben Achi
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa is a key figure in Nigeria’s political history.
Born in December 1912 in what is today Bauchi State, Nigeria. He was of humble origin; his father was a district head in Bauchi Emirate.
He attended Katsina College (then known as Katsina Training College), one of the few higher institutions in Northern Nigeria at the time. He was a trained teacher, and was known for his intelligence, humility, and eloquence.
He studied further at the London University Institute of Education (1945–1946), where he earned a professional teaching certificate.
He worked as a teacher and education inspector in Bauchi and surrounding areas. His interest in improving the educational level of Northern Nigeria led him into politics.
In 1946, he was nominated to the Northern House of Assembly, marking the start of his political journey.
He was one of the founders of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) 1949, alongside Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
He held various ministerial position, including Works and Transport (1952–1955) under the colonial government, before becoming Prime Minister.
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He Later served as the Chief Minister of Nigeria in 1957, the first Nigerian to hold that position.
He became first Nigeria’s Prime Minister in 1957, before Nigeria’s full independence, and continued in that role after Nigeria became independent in 1960.
As Prime Minister (1957–1966), he played a major role, alongside Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and others, in negotiations with Britain that led to Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960.
He represented Nigeria at the Commonwealth Conferences and the United Nations (UN). He was known as the “Golden Voice of Africa” for his eloquence in speech.
However, his government faced regional tensions, corruption allegations, and ethnic rivalries between the North, East, and West.
He was overthrown and killed during a military coup on January 15, 1966, which ended Nigeria’s First Republic, and ushered in a military rule.
On the said date, a group of young military officers carried out Nigeria’s first coup d’état.
Tafawa Balewa was abducted and assassinated during the coup; his body was later found along the Lagos–Abeokuta road.
His tomb in Bauchi is now reportedly a national monument.
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi State is named in his honour.
