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The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) of 1935

Eyo Ita Esua of Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)
Eyo Ita Esua of Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)

The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) was founded in 1935 after the introduction of the Clifford constitution of 1922 which paved the way for the formation of political parties in Nigeria.

History of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)

Prof. Eyo Ita Esua was known to be the founding father of NYM, and others like Earnest Ikoli, the first editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria (1926), Samuel Akinsanya and Dr. C. Vaughan were founding members.

The Nigerian Youth Movement competed for the political control of Lagos with the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) of Herbert Macaulay. It is believed that the defunct Lagos Youth Movement (LYM) of 1934 metamorphosed into NYM.

Later on, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Obafemi Awolowo and H.O. Davis joined the party. The party was the first to have a national outlook in Nigeria based on the composition of its members. Prof. Kofo Ayobami was the president of the party, while Earnest Ikoli was the vice president, and H.O. Davis served as the secretary.

Membership of NYM

The membership of the party was open to all citizens of Nigeria, especially those residing in Lagos. NYM dismissed some of their members due to some political reasons but they were later accepted back into the party through the intervention of Nnamdi Azikiwe who promoted the spirit of Pan-Africanism among NYM members.

The aims of the Nigerian Youth Movement were to work towards the unity of Nigeria and to gain self-rule or independence for the nation. In 1938, NYM won the three seats in Lagos by defeating NNDP in the elections for the Lagos Town Council. NYM strongly opposed the system of indirect rule with support from traditional rulers.

In a charter published by the party in 1938, a paragraph said: “We are opposed to the term “Indirect Rule” literally as well as in principle. Honest trusteeship implies direct British Rule with a view to ultimate self-government.”

Contributions of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM)

1. It promoted national unity by composing its members from several ethnic groups in Nigeria.

2. It fought hard for the political independence of Nigeria.

3. It aroused modern nationalism among Nigerians.

4. NYM played a prominent role in the abortion of the indirect rule.

5. It led to the formation of other political parties like NCNC (1944), AG (1951) and NPC (1951).

Thanks for reading, OldNaija.com

References:

  1. Omipidan, Teslom O. The Development of Political Parties in Nigeria. OldNaija. https://oldnaija.com/tag/developments-of-political-parties-in-nigeria/
Cite this article as: Teslim Omipidan. (January 22, 2020). The Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) of 1935. OldNaija. Retrieved from https://oldnaija.com/2020/01/22/nigerian-youth-movement-nym-1935/

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26 Comments

  1. Thanks for your question Christy.
    Here are the aims/objectives of NYM
    1. To persuade the government to give scholarships to youths to study abroad.
    2. To make Nigerians enjoy the same economic oppourtunities like foreigners
    3. To demand better pay for Africans in the Civil Service
    4. To strive for the establishment of new Legislative Council built on the principle of an unofficial majority
    5. To arouse modern nationalism among Nigerians

  2. Is this forum still in existence? If yes, how is their impact being felt by the Nigerian youths.?

  3. Thank you Mr. Samuel O Erhinmwiorose. The Nigerian Youth Movement has ceased to exist due to the breakup of its leadership into fractions and each members taking sides. The two principal fractions were led by Ernest Ikoli and S. A. Akinsanya.
    We really appreciate your comment and thanks for your visit. Pls., feel free to relate with us.

  4. This give hint to the outset of political development in our country. This must be read by but excellent citizens

  5. Well the remote and immediate movement of NYm was a role played for the totality of Nigerian citizens and also fighting their right, as such their agitation was perfectly done . I give the NYM cudose

  6. Wow. How I wish Nigeria could go back to her first love: that our nationalist father’s had and fought for. The Spirit of Nationalism is truly a dieing in Nigeria.

  7. Please, I need a better understanding of how this forum operates to know how I can better be relevant to this forum. I got to know of this forum today while studying and making some research to improve the my I.Q

  8. The contributions of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) can also be said to be its achievements, and they are:
    1. It promoted national unity by composing its members from several ethnic groups in Nigeria.
    2. It fought hard for the political independence of Nigeria.
    3. It arouse modern nationalism among Nigerians.
    4. Abortion of the indirect rule.
    5. Formation of other political parties like, NCNC (1944) , AG (1951) and NPC (1951).
    Thanks for your visit, Offim Sustenus Chineme.

  9. Helo. Pls I want 2 be part of dis grp. Frm d Q & A I read so far, evri 1 here has got matured & positiue mind, wit d absence of bias. Am actualy studin History. And I bliv Nigeria can be gr8 again.

  10. I feel good here. Thanks for your patience in explaining. Please i wish to know, was it only NNDP dat contested in 1923? If not, what are the rest parties? Thanks

  11. It wasn’t only NNDP that contested in the 1923 general election, People’s Union was also a political party that contested then, and other independent individuals. NNDP had 3,882 votes and won 3 seats while People’s Union had 223 votes (won no seat) and the independents had 904 votes (won 1 seat). I hope I have answered your question, Temidire Coker. Thanks for your visit and nice words. Please do check back.

  12. Yes ther were. But they were more like figure heads. For example, the 10 unofficial Nigerian members of the Clifford Legislative council have no strong, if any, say in the council. Thank you for your visit, Olateju Esther. Kindly do check back.

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