Cabinet of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
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Nnamdi Azikiwe (from 1963)
Cabinet of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | |
|---|---|
.svg) Cabinet of Nigeria | |
| Date formed | 30 August 1957 |
| Date dissolved | 15 January 1966 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Elizabeth II (until 1963) Nnamdi Azikiwe (from 1963) |
| Head of government | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa |
| Member party | Northern People's Congress (NPC) National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) |
| History | |
| Successor | Government of Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi |
The Cabinet of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the government of Nigeria, headed by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in the years leading up to and following independence. There were three cabinets. The first was established in 1957 when Balewa was appointed prime minister by the British governor-general. The second was formed after the general elections of December 1959, just before independence, in a coalition government. The third was formed after the disputed general elections of December 1964, and was dissolved after the military coup of 15 January 1966.
On 30 August 1957 the governor-general of Nigeria, Sir James Wilson Robertson, announced that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa had been appointed prime minister, with a broad-based National Government.[1] His first cabinet included ministers from all parties.[2] The cabinet was based on that appointed after the 1954 elections.[1] Cabinet ministers included:
| Office | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Tafawa Balewa | |
| Transportation | Raymond Njoku | |
| Education | Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu | Replaced Matthew Mbu[1] |
| Commerce | K. O. Mbadiwe | |
| Communications | Samuel Akintola | New appointee[1] |
| Finance | Festus Okotie-Eboh | |
| Internal Affairs | J. M. Johnson | replaced Adegoke Adelabu[1] |
| Information | Kola Balogun | |
| Health | Ayo Rosiji | New appointee[1] |
| Mines | Muhammadu Ribadu | |
| Works | Zanna Bukar Dipcharima | Replaced Inuwa Wada[1] |
Second cabinet: 1959–64
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The next elections were held on 12 December 1959. Results were Northern People's Congress (NPC): 134 seats; National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) / Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU): 89 seats; Action Group (AG): 73 seats; Other: 16 seats. The NPC and NCNC formed an alliance to create the new government, with Belewa again prime minister.[1] Nnamdi Azikiwe became ceremonial president.[2] Northerners were given the most important ministerial posts.[3] Balewa at first retained control of foreign policy, which was pro-western, and did not consult the cabinet.[4] The Balewa coalition of the NPC and NCNC held until 1964, when it broke up due to a dispute over leadership and ministerial appointments.[5] On 8 December 1964 parliament was officially dissolved.[6] Ministers in the second Balewa cabinet were:[7]
| Office | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Tafawa Balewa | |
| Foreign Affairs | Jaja Wachuku | From 1961 |
| Attorney Gen/Justice | Taslim Olawale Elias | |
| Defence | Muhammadu Ribadu | |
| Lands & Lagos Affairs | Musa Yar'Adua | |
| Finance | Festus Okotie-Eboh | |
| Transport and Aviation | Raymond Njoku | |
| Commerce &industries | Zanna Bukar Dipcharima | [8] |
| Works & Surveys | Inuwa Wada | |
| Labour & Welfare | J. M. Johnson | Also responsible for Sports.[8] |
| Education | Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu | |
| Mines & Power | Maitama Sule | |
| Economic Development & Natural Resources | Shehu Shagari | |
| Communications | Olu Akinfosile | |
| Internal Affairs | Usman Sarki | |
| Information | T. O. S. Benson | |
| Health | Waziri Ibrahim | |
| Pensions, Establishment & Nigerianization | Yisa Yara'Dua |