- Class: Primary 6
- Term: 2nd Term
- Week: 2
- Age: 11 years
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Subject: History
- Curriculum Theme: History
- Previous Lesson: Military Rule in Nigeria
- Topic: Military Heads of State in Nigeria – Major General Aguiyi Ironsi
- Content: Major General Aguiyi Ironsi 1966 to July 1966.
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.
- Affective Domain: Discuss the impact of military leadership on Nigeria’s governance.
- Psychomotor Domain: Identify and list the military Heads of State in Nigeria in chronological order.
- Social Domain: Appreciate the role of leadership and governance in national 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 – Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Picture charts of Nigerian Military Heads of State
- A timeline of Nigerian military rule
- A short video clip on Major General Aguiyi Ironsi’s tenure
- Flashcards with key facts about Aguiyi Ironsi
Rationale for the Lesson
Understanding the history of Nigeria’s military Heads of State is important because it helps pupils appreciate Nigeria’s governance structure and how past leadership influenced the country’s development. This knowledge also fosters critical thinking about leadership roles in society.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have previously learned about military rule in Nigeria and can identify key features of military governments.
Lesson Content
Military Heads of State in Nigeria – Major General Aguiyi Ironsi
A Military Head of State is a leader who comes to power through military intervention rather than an election. This means that the leader is a high-ranking officer in the armed forces who takes control of the government, often through a coup.
List of Nigeria’s Military Heads of State
- Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi (1966)
- General Yakubu Gowon (1966–1975)
- General Murtala Mohammed (1975–1976)
- General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976–1979)
- Major General Muhammadu Buhari (1983–1985)
- General Ibrahim Babangida (1985–1993)
- General Sani Abacha (1993–1998)
- General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998–1999)
Life and Leadership of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi
- Birth: Aguiyi Ironsi was born on March 3, 1924, in Abia State.
- Military Career: He joined the Nigerian Army in 1942 and rose through the ranks.
- Rise to Power: In January 1966, after a coup led by young officers, Ironsi took over as Nigeria’s first military Head of State.
- Government Reforms: He introduced a unitary system of government, which centralized power at the federal level.
- End of Rule: He was overthrown and assassinated in July 1966 during a counter-coup.
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 | The teacher asks pupils if they know any Nigerian Military Heads of State and listens to their responses. | Pupils mention names of military leaders they know. | Introduction to the topic through prior knowledge. |
| Step 2: Explanation of Military Heads of State | 7 mins | Explanation | Storytelling | The teacher explains the meaning of a military Head of State and gives examples. | Pupils listen and take notes. | Understanding the concept of military leadership. |
| Step 3: Listing Nigerian Military Heads of State | 7 mins | Guided Discovery | Listing and discussion | The teacher writes the names of Nigeria’s military leaders on the board and discusses each briefly. | Pupils repeat the names and discuss in pairs. | Identifying Nigerian Military Heads of State. |
| Step 4: Life of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi | 8 mins | Narrative | Visual Aids | The teacher shows a picture of Aguiyi Ironsi and narrates his biography and role as Head of State. | Pupils look at the picture and take notes. | Learning about Aguiyi Ironsi’s life and leadership. |
| Step 5: Note-Taking | 5 mins | Writing Activity | Individual Task | The teacher asks pupils to copy a short summary of the lesson into their notebooks. | Pupils copy the summary. | Reinforcement of key points. |
| Step 6: Evaluation | 5 mins | Questioning | Think-Pair-Share | The teacher asks questions to test pupils’ understanding. | Pupils answer questions and discuss in pairs. | Assessing pupils’ comprehension. |
| Step 7: Conclusion | 3 mins | Summary | Whole-Class Review | The teacher summarizes the lesson and connects it to leadership in modern Nigeria. | Pupils listen and ask final questions. | Lesson recap and real-world connection. |
Lesson Evaluation
To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:
- Explain the meaning of a Military Head of State.
- List at least three Nigerian Military Heads of State.
- Who was Major General Aguiyi Ironsi?
- What system of government did Aguiyi Ironsi introduce?
- What happened to Aguiyi Ironsi in July 1966?
Differentiation
To support all learners:
- Visual learners will benefit from pictures and video clips.
- Auditory learners will engage through storytelling and discussion.
- Kinesthetic learners will participate in listing and arranging leaders chronologically.
Note for Teachers Using This Lesson Plan
This lesson is designed to be engaging and informative. Encourage pupils to participate in discussions and relate past leadership to modern governance. Visual aids will help them retain key information. Be patient with pupils who struggle with historical dates, and offer additional support where needed. Happy teaching!
