- Class: Primary 6
- Term: 2nd Term
- Week: 8
- Age: 11 years
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Subject: History
- Curriculum Theme: History
- Previous Lesson: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria – General Sani Abacha
- Topic: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria – General Abdulsalami Abubakar
- Content: General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria’s last military Head of State.
Performance Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Cognitive domain: Explain the meaning of military Heads of State in Nigeria and describe the life and leadership of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
- Affective domain: Appreciate the role of General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
- Psychomotor domain: Identify and locate General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s period of rule on a timeline.
- Social domain: Discuss the importance of peaceful transitions in leadership.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum
- Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
- NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
- Online Information from: Wikipedia – Abdulsalami Abubakar
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- A timeline of Nigeria’s military rulers
- A map of Nigeria
- Pictures of General Abdulsalami Abubakar
- A short documentary or video clip on his leadership
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding military leadership in Nigeria helps pupils appreciate the country’s political history. General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s leadership is important because he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have already learned about General Sani Abacha and his military rule. They also understand the role of the military in governance and the characteristics of military regimes.
Lesson Content
Military Heads Of State In Nigeria – General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Military Heads of State are leaders who take control of a country’s government through the military, usually after a coup. They rule by military decree instead of democratic elections.
General Abdulsalami Abubakar
General Abdulsalami Abubakar was Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1998 to 1999. He took over after the sudden death of General Sani Abacha.
His Major Achievements
- Transition to Democracy – He handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999, ending years of military rule.
- Creation of the 1999 Constitution – His administration helped draft Nigeria’s current constitution.
- Release of Political Prisoners – He freed many politicians and activists who were jailed by previous military governments.
- Peace Efforts in Africa – After retiring, he played a role in peace missions across Africa.
Instructional Procedures
To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:
| Content Development | Time | Teaching Method | Teaching Strategy | Teacher’s Activity | Pupils’ Activity | Learning Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Introduction | 5 mins | Set induction | Discussion | Asks pupils what they know about Nigeria’s past leaders. | Pupils respond with what they remember. | Understanding prior knowledge. |
| Step 2: Explanation of Military Heads of State | 7 mins | Explanation | Storytelling | Explains what military Heads of State are. | Listen attentively and ask questions. | Military rule means governance by the military. |
| Step 3: Biography of Abdulsalami Abubakar | 10 mins | Lecture | Visual aids | Displays pictures and timeline of his rule. | Observe pictures and take notes. | Abdulsalami Abubakar ruled from 1998 to 1999. |
| Step 4: His Achievements | 8 mins | Discussion | Brainstorming | Discusses his key achievements in governance. | Contribute to the discussion. | He helped Nigeria return to democracy. |
| Step 5: Note Taking | 5 mins | Writing | Individual work | Guides pupils to copy key points. | Copy key points in their notebooks. | Recording information. |
| Step 6: Evaluation | 3 mins | Questioning | Oral review | Asks pupils to mention key facts about his rule. | Answer questions based on the lesson. | Checking comprehension. |
| Step 7: Conclusion | 2 mins | Summary | Recap | Summarizes the lesson and encourages further reading. | Listen and ask final questions. | Understanding the lesson’s relevance. |
Lesson Evaluation
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- What is a Military Head of State?
- When did General Abdulsalami Abubakar rule Nigeria?
- Mention two achievements of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
- Why is he important in Nigeria’s history?
- What was the main change he brought to Nigeria?
Differentiation
- For slower learners: The teacher will use visual aids and repeat key points.
- For advanced learners: Pupils will be encouraged to research more about his contributions to democracy.
- For auditory learners: The teacher will use a short documentary to reinforce the lesson.
Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan
Ensure pupils understand the difference between military and civilian rule. Use real-life examples to explain leadership transitions. Keep the lesson engaging by allowing pupils to ask questions and participate actively. Happy teaching!
