This is the speech that Nigerian Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa gave on October 1, 1960, at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, as part of the celebration of Nigeria’s independence.
Independence Day is today. Every Nigerian has eagerly anticipated the first of October 1960 for the past two years. Nigeria is now, in fact, a sovereign nation that is truly independent. Our great day has finally arrived.
My joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged enough to accept these Constitutional Instruments—the symbols of Nigeria’s independence—from Her Royal Highness cannot be adequately expressed in words. It is a one-of-a-kind privilege that I will always remember, and it gives me courage and strength as I dedicate my life to serving our country.
This is a wonderful day, even more so because we have been waiting for it with ever-increasing impatience, compelled to watch as one country after another overtook us on the road when we were so close to achieving our goal. However, now that we have established our legitimate status, I am confident that history will demonstrate that the construction of our nation proceeded in the most prudent manner: It was thorough, and Nigeria now stands solidly on solid ground.
A process that began fifteen years ago and has now reached a happy and successful conclusion is marked by today’s ceremony. We can legitimately claim that the achievement of our independence was unlike anything else in history. Each stage of our constitutional progress has been carefully and peacefully planned in full and open consultation, not only with representatives of all Nigerian interests, but also in harmony with the administering power, which has now given up its authority.
Self-government received the most attention during the final stages of our constitution’s development. We, the Nigerian people’s elected representatives, concentrated on demonstrating that we were fully capable of handling our own affairs, both internally and collectively. We were not, however, to be afforded the self-indulgent luxury of concentrating our interests on our own homes. Even if we wanted to, we are unable to live apart from the rest of the world in these days of rapid communication. Too quickly, it has become clear that independence means much more to us than just self-government. This great nation, which has emerged peacefully, realizes that she must immediately be prepared to address serious international issues.
The shocking events that have taken place on this continent in recent months have unfortunate highlighted this fact. I won’t go into detail, but it wouldn’t be realistic not to first mention the incredible challenge we face at the very beginning of our nation’s existence. When this date in October 1960 was chosen as our Independence Day, it seemed like we were destined to rise to world prominence with quiet dignity. We are called upon immediately to demonstrate that our claims to responsible government are well-founded, and having been accepted as an independent state, we must immediately play an active role in maintaining the peace of the world and preserving civilisation. Recent events have changed the scene beyond recognition, so we find ourselves today being put to the greatest test. I can assure you that our determination will not allow us to fail.
Additionally, we are more prepared than many others for this task. I am grateful for the manner in which successive British governments have gradually delegated responsibility to us for this reason.
That burden has been greatly reduced as a result of the assistance and unwavering support we have received from each Secretary of State for the Colonies, as well as their intense personal interest in our progress.
In light of the fact that they contributed to the establishment of the foundations for a long-lasting friendship between our two nations, all of our friends in the Colonial Office must be proud of their work today. Based on our successful partnership, I am certain that our future relations with the UK will be more cordial than ever. We will be bound together in the Commonwealth by a common allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, whom we proudly acclaim as Queen of Nigeria and Head of the Commonwealth.
Time will not allow me to name all of my friends, many of whom are Nigerian, whose selfless efforts have helped us gain our independence. Some of them did not live to see their hopes come true—peace be upon them—but they are still remembered here, and the names of buildings, streets, roads, and bridges all over the country remind us of their accomplishments, some of which were on a national scale. Others, perhaps restricted to a small area within a single Division, are less affluent but equally valuable overall.
Representatives of those who have made Nigeria are here today: Members of the Public Service, both past and present, as well as representatives of the Regional Governments, former Central Governments, Missionary Societies, and Banking and Commercial Businesses. We are pleased that you were able to attend our celebrations and extend our warmest welcome to you. We wish that it might have been feasible for those whom you address to be here today: I am aware that many will be disappointed by my absence, but if they are listening, I tell them: On behalf of myself, I want to express my gratitude for your devoted service, which contributed to the nation’s development.
Today, we are savoring the fruit that you sowed, and our gratitude for you can only match the quality of the fruit. God bless each of you.
Our hearts are filled with conflicting feelings at this time: Indeed, we are proud to have achieved independence and to have contributed to this happy event through our efforts. However, our pride is not the same as arrogance. It is tempered by genuine gratitude for everyone who has contributed to the political, social, and economic development of Nigeria. We are indebted to the British officers we have known—first as masters, then as leaders, partners, and friends—over the years. Additionally, we owe many of our medical services to a large number of missionaries who have tirelessly worked for education. We are also grateful to those who have introduced new industries and cutting-edge banking and business practices. I would like to express our undying admiration for their dedication to duty and pay tribute to each and every one of these individuals.
Last but not least, I want to say how grateful we are to Her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra of Kent for personally delivering these symbols of our freedom to us and for conveying the kind message from Her Majesty the Queen. I thus open a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, the Commonwealth, and the world with the words “God Save Our Queen.”
