Tunde Folawiyo | The Zik of Africa: Nnamdi Azikiwe

As one of the foremost figures of modern Nigerian nationalism, Chief Benjamin Azikiwe PC, more commonly referred to by the name Nnamdi Azikiwe, served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1963 to 1966. He had been the second Governor-General from 1960 to 1963, and became Nigeria’s first president later that same year. His presidency spanned Nigeria’s First Republic, and citizens like Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others may recall Nnamdi Azikiwe as one of the most influential figures in the history of the country.

Born on 16 November 1904, Azikiwe, commonly known as ‘The Zik of Africa’, hails from the Northern Nigeria’s Zungeru. He studied at Hope Waddell Training Institute and Lagos’s Methodist Boys’ HS before travelling to the United States, where he attended Washington DC’s Howard University, before graduating from Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University in 1930. Here he obtained a masters diploma in religion in 1932 before earning another masters in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934. He was employed as an instructor for Lincoln University before his return to Nigeria.

After his time teaching for Lincoln, Azikiwe assumed the role of editor for the African Morning Post in November 1934. The newspaper, based in Ghana, served as a means for promoting his pro-African nationalist agenda. His writings delved deep into social issues as he questioned the colonial order that was present at the time.

After being charged with sedition following the publication of a controversial article, Azikiwe returned to Lagos in 1937 where he established the West African Pilot, a vehicle he used to further advocate for Nigerian nationalism. He then founded the Zik Group of Newspapers, responsible for producing multiple publications around the country. He later formed the first nationalist organisation in Nigeria.

Following much success in journalism, Azikiwe ventured into politics. After co-founding the popular NCNC alongside Herbert Macaulay during 1944, Azikiwe became the National Council’s secretary-general in 1946 before becoming elected to the Nigeria’s Legislative Council the next year. He led the Opposition to Obafemi Awolowo’s government in 1951 before embarking on his esteemed political career of the 1960s.

Azikiwe’s quest for social change defined his legacy, and he remains one of the most influential figures in the history of Nigeria. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the country may recognise Azikiwe as one of the nation’s most impactful leaders.