Constitutional Developments, Nationalism

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Constitutional Developments, Nationalism, the JAMB History syllabus expects you to study:

• 6. Constitutional Developments, Nationalism and Independence: a. The 1922 Clifford Constitution and the rise of Nigeria’s first political party.
• b. World War II and the agitation for independence c. The rise of nationalist movements;
• d. The Richards Constitution of 1946 e. The Macpherson Constitution of 1951.
• f. Party politics – regionalism, federalism and minority question.
• g. Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.
• h. Constitutional Conferences in Lagos in 1957 and London in 1958 i. The general elections of 1959 and independence in 1960.
• SECTION D: NIGERIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE

Study notes & guidance

Study Constitutional Developments, Nationalism using a recommended History textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in History, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Constitutional Developments, Nationalism, you should be able to:

1. Highlight the significance of the Clifford constitution of 1922
2. Examine the effect of World War II on the agitations for independence and constitutional developments;
3. Trace the emergence of the nationalist movement;
4. Assess the roles of the different constitutions in constitutional development;
5. Trace the development of party politics and its impact on regionalism and the minority question;
6. Examine the impact of the constitutional conferences on the move towards independence;
7. Determine the factors that aided the attainment of independence;

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME History syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.