Obafemi Awolowo
6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987
Obafemi Awolowo was a Nigerian lawyer, politician and writer. He founded the Action Group in 1951 and served as Premier of Nigeria's Western Region from 1954 to 1959, where his government introduced free universal primary education. Convicted of treasonable felony in 1963 and released in 1966, he later served as federal commissioner for finance and stood for the presidency in 1979 and 1983.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Obafemi Awolowo.
- Alan Paton (1903–1988) Overlapped 78 years →
- Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) Overlapped 78 years →
- Bette Davis (1908–1989) Overlapped 78 years →
- Dr. Seuss (1904–1991) Overlapped 78 years →
- Estée Lauder (1908–2004) Overlapped 78 years →
- Frank Whittle (1907–1996) Overlapped 78 years →
Life events
He was born into a Yoruba family in what was then the British protectorate of Nigeria.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe enrolled to read law after earning an external commerce degree from the University of London.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe group was established among Nigerian students in London.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe qualified as a barrister before returning to practise in Nigeria.
The party became the governing party of Nigeria's Western Region.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe headed the regional government through the final years of colonial rule.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe scheme greatly expanded school enrolment in the region.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe was sentenced after a trial in Lagos and held at Calabar prison.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHe joined the federal executive council during the Nigerian civil war period.
Source: en.wikipedia.org