Why Northern Leaders Opposed Self-Government in 1956

Nigeria did not gain independence in 1956. However, debates over self-government that year exposed major differences between the regions. While many Southern political leaders supported an earlier transition from British rule, Northern leaders argued that the region needed more time to prepare politically and educationally. Their position shaped the negotiations that eventually led to Nigeria's independence in 1960. This historical account examines the 1956 self-government debate and its long-term effect on Nigeria's political balance.

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