- Class: Primary 6
- Term: 2nd Term
- Week: 5
- Age: 11 years
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Subject: History
- Curriculum Theme: History
- Previous Lesson: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria – General Murtala Mohammed
- Topic: Military Heads Of State In Nigeria – General Olusegun Obasanjo
- Content: General Olusegun Obasanjo Head of State from 1976 to 1979.
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 identify General Olusegun Obasanjo’s key contributions.
- Affective Domain: Appreciate the role of General Olusegun Obasanjo in Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
- Psychomotor Domain: Create a timeline of General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military leadership period.
- Social Domain: Discuss the importance of good leadership in a country’s development.
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 – Olusegun Obasanjo
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- A chart showing pictures of Nigeria’s Military Heads of State
- A timeline of General Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure
- Flashcards with key dates and events
- A Nigerian flag
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the history of Nigeria’s leaders helps pupils appreciate the country’s political journey. General Olusegun Obasanjo played a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s governance, and studying his leadership provides insights into leadership values and the importance of democracy.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have learned about General Murtala Mohammed in the previous lesson and already understand the concept of military rule in Nigeria.
Lesson Content
Military Heads of State in Nigeria – General Olusegun Obasanjo
A Military Head of State is a leader who takes control of a country’s government through the military. In Nigeria, military leaders ruled the country at different times after coups and political instability.
General Olusegun Obasanjo
General Olusegun Obasanjo was a Nigerian military officer who became the Head of State in 1976 after the assassination of General Murtala Mohammed. He remained in power until 1979, when he handed over to a civilian government, making him the first military leader in Nigeria to peacefully transfer power.
Key Achievements of General Olusegun Obasanjo:
- Transition to Democracy: He handed over power to a civilian government in 1979.
- Economic Development: He introduced agricultural reforms to boost food production.
- Foreign Relations: He strengthened Nigeria’s relationship with other African countries.
- Education: He promoted education by establishing schools and institutions.
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 | Questioning & discussion | Asks pupils if they know any past Nigerian leader and what they did | Pupils respond with leaders they know | recall past leaders and their roles |
| Step 2: Meaning of Military Heads of State | 5 mins | Explanation | Interactive discussion | Explains what a Military Head of State is and how they come into power | Listen and ask questions | Understand the role of military leaders |
| Step 3: Life of General Olusegun Obasanjo | 8 mins | Storytelling | Narrative method | Tells the story of Obasanjo’s rise to power, leadership, and contributions | Listen attentively | Learn about Obasanjo’s leadership |
| Step 4: Achievements of General Olusegun Obasanjo | 7 mins | Explanation | Visual aids & discussion | Displays a chart and discusses Obasanjo’s achievements | Observe and take notes | Recognize Obasanjo’s contributions |
| Step 5: Note-Taking | 5 mins | Writing | Guided note-taking | Guides pupils to copy key points from the board | Copy notes in their books | Organize important facts about the topic |
| Step 6: Lesson Evaluation | 5 mins | Oral questioning | Question and answer | Asks pupils questions to assess understanding | Answer questions | Recall key facts about the lesson |
| Step 7: Conclusion | 5 mins | Summary | Recap discussion | Summarizes the lesson and emphasizes key takeaways | Listen and ask final questions | Reinforce knowledge gained |
Lesson Evaluation
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- Who is a Military Head of State?
- When did General Olusegun Obasanjo become Nigeria’s Head of State?
- Mention two key achievements of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
- Why was General Olusegun Obasanjo’s leadership important to Nigeria?
- What was significant about his transition to democracy?
Differentiation
- For slower learners: The teacher will simplify explanations and use pictures for better understanding.
- For advanced learners: The teacher will encourage further research on Obasanjo’s role in Nigeria’s democracy.
Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan
This lesson is designed to help pupils understand Nigeria’s military leadership history. Ensure active participation by asking engaging questions and using visual materials. Encourage pupils to relate leadership lessons to present-day governance. Happy teaching!
