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These words landed Nnamdi Azikwe in jail for sedition in 1936:
“Personally, I believe the European has a god in whom he believes and whom he is representing in his churches all over Africa. He believes in the god whose name is spelt Deceit. He believes in the god whose law is “Ye strong, you must weaken the weak”. Ye “civilised” Europeans, you must “civilise” the “barbarous” Africans with machine guns. Ye “Christian” Europeans, you must “Christianise” the “pagan” Africans with bombs, poison gases, etc.”
— Excerpt from May 1936 African Morning Post article which led to sedition trial
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Achievements:
1. Pro-Independence Journalism: Azikiwe’s newspapers, such as the African Morning Post and the West African Pilot, became influential platforms for promoting radical nationalism, black pride, and anti-colonial sentiments, challenging the oppressive colonial order, and advocating for the rights and empowerment of Africans.
2. Pro-Independence Political Work: Azikiwe co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), played a key role in the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), and led various delegations to London to rally against colonial decisions and advocate for amendments to constitutions, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s struggle for independence.
3. National Leadership: Azikiwe served as the Chief Minister and later premier of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, demonstrating his leadership skills and commitment to governance, and played a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape during its transition to self-government and independence.
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Who was he? Nnamdi Azikiwe was born on November 16, 1904, in Zungeru, Northern Nigeria, making him primarily fluent in the Hausa language. Due to challenges learning Igbo (in a primarily Hausa-speaking environment) his father, Obed-Edom Chukwuemeka Azikiwe, a native of Onitsha, in 1912 sent Nnamdi to Onitsha to live with his paternal grandmother and aunt, where he immersed himself in Igbo language and culture. Azikiwe attended Holy Trinity School and Christ Church School in Onitsha, followed by Wesleyan Boys’ High School (now Methodist Boys’ High School) in Lagos.
During his education, Azikiwe encountered influential figures such as James Aggrey, who advocated for Africans to receive education abroad and return to effect change. Inspired by Aggrey, Azikiwe applied to universities in the United States and was admitted to Storer College’s preparatory school in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He later enrolled in Howard University, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science. Azikiwe furthered his studies at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania, earning master’s degrees in religion and anthropology, respectively.
As a graduate-student instructor at Lincoln University, Azikiwe developed a course in African history, demonstrating his early commitment to promoting African heritage. He pursued doctoral research at Columbia University, focusing on Liberia’s role in world politics. While in the United States, Azikiwe became a columnist for African-American publications such as the Baltimore Afro-American, Philadelphia Tribune, and the Associated Negro Press, through which he shared his ideals of pan-Africanism and Garveyism.
These experiences broadened Azikiwe’s worldview and nurtured his nationalistic beliefs. Upon returning to Nigeria in 1934, he became a prominent figure in the country’s struggle for independence. Azikiwe’s journey from Nigeria to the United States and back exemplifies his determination to acquire knowledge, challenge racial bias, and contribute to the liberation of Africa.
Pro-Independence Journalism Work:
Nnamdi Azikiwe, through his journalism, played a crucial role in furthering Nigerian and African independence movements. His newspapers, such as the African Morning Post and the West African Pilot, became platforms for promoting radical nationalism, black pride, and anti-colonial sentiments. Azikiwe used his writings to challenge the oppressive colonial order and advocate for the rights and empowerment of Africans.
In his articles, Azikiwe fearlessly criticized the racial discrimination and injustices imposed by the colonial government. His writing revealed the exploitative nature of European colonization and the hypocrisy of European powers’ claims of civilizing and Christianizing Africans. He boldly exposed the deception and violence employed by colonial forces, stating, “Ye ‘civilised’ Europeans, you must ‘civilise’ the ‘barbarous’ Africans with machine guns. Ye ‘Christian’ Europeans, you must ‘Christianise’ the ‘pagan’ Africans with bombs, poison gases, etc.” He was tried for sedition, convicted and sentenced to six months in prison but received a reduced sentence on appeal.
Through his newspapers, Azikiwe created a platform for promoting African nationalism and challenging the existing order. He used his column, “The Inside Stuff by Zik,” to preach radical nationalism and black pride, raising alarm among colonial circles. Azikiwe’s publications advocated for African independence and socio-political reforms, emphasizing the need to dismantle the crown colony system and achieve self-governance. Despite facing bans and censorship from the colonial government, Azikiwe persevered and continued to publish articles about important issues such as the general strike, amplifying the voices of marginalized Africans.
Azikiwe’s influence in the journalism industry was significant, as he revolutionized English-language journalism in West Africa. He had a controlling interest in over 12 daily African-run newspapers and demonstrated the success of English-language journalism in reaching a wider audience. His newspapers outsold their competitors and became influential sources of information and inspiration for Africans across the region.
Nnamdi Azikiwe’s journalism played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around African independence, challenging colonial rule, and empowering marginalized Africans. His writings fueled the nationalist movements and fostered a sense of pride and unity among Africans, laying the groundwork for the eventual liberation of Nigeria and other African nations. As The New York Times noted, Azikiwe’s impact was immense, and he became admired as a national hero who transcended regional and ethnic divisions within Nigeria.
Pro-Independence Political Work:
Nnamdi Azikiwe, alongside notable individuals such as Samuel Akisanya, Ernest Ikoli, Herbert Macaulay, Michael Imoudu, Osita Agwuna, Raji Abdalla, Kolawole Balogun, M. C. K. Ajuluchukwu, Abiodun Aloba, Nwafor Orizu, Arthur Richards, Clement Attlee, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Zanna Dipcharima, Abubakar Olorunimbe, P. M. Kale, Adeleke Adedoyin, Nyong Essien, Obafemi Awolowo, and many others, played significant roles in Nigerian politics and the struggle for independence.
Azikiwe, together with Samuel Akisanya and Ernest Ikoli, was active in the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), the country’s first nationalist organization. However, he later co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) with Herbert Macaulay, assuming the position of secretary-general in 1946.
During his political journey, Azikiwe faced challenges and controversies. He supported a general strike in 1945 and voiced his concerns about the colonial government’s exploitation of the working class. His support for the striking workers and his accusations of an assassination plot raised his profile. However, some skeptics, particularly Yoruba politicians from the Nigerian Youth Movement, doubted the authenticity of his claims, leading to a press war between Azikiwe’s West African Pilot and the NYM’s Daily Service.
In opposition to the Richards constitution proposed by British governor Arthur Richards in 1945, Azikiwe, alongside the NCNC, rallied against the unilateral decisions and limited African representation. He led a delegation to London, which included Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Zanna Dipcharima, Abubakar Olorunimbe, P. M. Kale, Adeleke Adedoyin, and Nyong Essien, to advocate for amendments to the constitution and engage with various organizations such as the Fabian Society’s Colonial Bureau and the Labor Imperial Committee.
Azikiwe’s political career was marked by his continuous opposition to subsequent constitutions, including the Macpherson constitution. In the Western Region, he served as the leader of the Opposition to the government of Obafemi Awolowo in the House of Assembly. He later moved to the Eastern Region, where he became the Chief Minister and ultimately the premier of Nigeria’s Eastern Region when it became a federating unit in 1954.
Throughout his journey, Azikiwe collaborated with numerous individuals, forming alliances and working towards the common goal of Nigerian independence. Their collective efforts and contributions were instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s path towards self-government and establishing Azikiwe as a revered national hero.
