Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

ModernPoliticianNigeria1912 — 1966

First and only prime minister of Nigeria.

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Quick Facts

Born

1912

Died

1966

Country

Nigeria

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)44

Political (20%)63

Influence (20%)59

Legacy (20%)49

Leadership (15%)53

Strategy (15%)45

Total Score53.3

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa — Complete Timeline

1957 AD

Appointment as Prime Minister of NigeriaPolitical Action

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was appointed as the first Prime Minister of Nigeria in 1957, leading a coalition government. He oversaw the final stages of Nigeria's transition to independence, which was achieved in 1960. His leadership was marked by efforts to maintain unity among the country's diverse regions.

IndependenceGovernmentNigeria

Impact: nationalconstructive

1960 AD

Signing of the Nigerian Independence ConstitutionPolitical Action◆ Major

Balewa, as Prime Minister, signed the independence constitution on October 1, 1960, formally ending British colonial rule. He became the head of government of the newly sovereign Federation of Nigeria, a position he held until his death.

IndependenceConstitutionNigeria

Impact: nationalconstructive

1966 AD

Assassination in the first military coupPolitical Action

Prime Minister Balewa was abducted and killed by mutinous soldiers during Nigeria's first military coup on January 15, 1966. His body was found days later. The coup ended the First Republic and plunged Nigeria into a series of military regimes and the Biafran War.

CoupAssassinationNigeria

Impact: nationaltragic