Nnamdi Azikiwe: Nigeria’s First President and Champion of Nationalism

Nnamdi Azikiwe remains one of the most iconic figures in Nigerian history. Known affectionately as Zik, he was a strong force in the struggle for independence, a shrewd journalist, a political pioneer and the first President of the Republic of Nigeria.

Born Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe on 16 November 1904 in Zungeru, in what is now Niger State, he was the son of Igbo parents from Onitsha in southeastern Nigeria. His early years exposed him to a mix of cultures and languages, from Hausa in the North to Igbo at home and later Yoruba influences in Lagos.

Early Education and Rise in Journalism

Azikiwe’s thirst for knowledge took him far from home. In 1925, he travelled to the United States, where he studied at several institutions, including Lincoln University and the University of Pennsylvania.

There, he earned multiple degrees, a rare achievement for an African of his era, and also taught for a time. His time abroad exposed him to ideas of Pan‑Africanism and anti‑colonial thought, which would steer his life’s work.

When Azikiwe returned to Africa in the mid‑1930s, he first worked in the Gold Coast (modern‑day Ghana), editing the African Morning Post, where he began to use the power of the press to challenge colonial authority.

But it was his return to Lagos in 1937 that marked a major turning point. That year, he founded the newspaper, the West African Pilot.

Written in plain language and packed with bold ideas, the Pilot championed Nigerian nationalism and connected ordinary Nigerians to the dream of freedom. Its influence soared, making it one of the most widely read African publications of the era.

Political Leadership and the Road to Independence

Azikiwe didn’t stop at journalism. In 1944, he helped found the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) alongside Herbert Macaulay, uniting radical political voices calling for self‑rule. Through the NCNC, Azikiwe built a political platform that challenged colonial administration and brought Nigerians into organised politics.

By 1948, he was elected to the Nigerian Legislative Council, and in 1954, he became Premier of Nigeria’s Eastern Region.

When Nigeria gained independence from Britain on 1 October 1960, Azikiwe was appointed Governor‑General, serving as the symbolic head of state under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Three years later, when Nigeria became a republic, he was sworn in as the country’s first President, a position he held until the military coup of 15 January 1966 ended the First Republic.

The Biafran War and Later Years

Life after the presidency was turbulent. The political instability that followed the coup eventually sparked the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), commonly known as the Biafran War.

Being Igbo, Azikiwe initially became a spokesman for the breakaway Republic of Biafra and an adviser to its leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, hoping to safeguard his people’s future.

However, as the conflict dragged on, he came to see the futility of secession and publicly urged Ojukwu to seek peace and reintegration with Nigeria.

In the years after the war, Azikiwe continued to serve his country in different ways. He was Chancellor of the University of Lagos from 1972 to 1976 and played an active role in the rebirth of Nigerian politics in the late 1970s.

He joined the Nigerian People’s Party and ran for president in both 1979 and 1983, though he was unsuccessful on both occasions.

Death and Legacy

Nnamdi Azikiwe passed away on 11 May 1996 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

His impact is remembered in many ways, from universities and landmarks named after him to his portrait on Nigeria’s 500 naira note.

Thanks for reading, OldNaija.com

References:

1. Britannica Editors. (2025). Nnamdi Azikiwe. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nnamdi-Azikiwe (Encyclopedia Britannica)
2. Omipidan, T., & Omipidan, T. (2025, August 25). Complete timeline of Nigerian history: Pre-Colonial era till date. OldNaija. https://oldnaija.com/2025/08/22/complete-timeline-of-nigerian-history/
3. Egypt & Africa. (2025). Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe. https://africa.sis.gov.eg/english/figures/politics/nnamdi-benjamin-azikiwe/ (Egyptian Government Portal)
4. LifeAndTimes News. (n.d.). Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe – First President of Nigeria. https://lifeandtimesnews.com/benjamin-nnamdi-azikiwe-first-president-of-nigeria/ (lifeandtimesnews.com)