ST. RITA MODEL SCHOOLSSubject: Nigerian History
Topic: Meaning of Republic and Federation
Date: 19th – 23rd October
Class: Grade 5
Duration: 35 minutes
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Pupils have learnt about Nigeria's independence and know that Nigeria has a President who leads the country.
A republic is a country in which the head of state is not a hereditary monarch, such as a king or queen. The head of state is usually elected directly or indirectly for a specific period, according to the country's constitution.
In a republic, leadership is not automatically passed from parents to children.
Example: Nigeria is a republic because its President is not a king or queen who inherits the position.
The features of a republic include:
A federation is a system of government in which governmental powers are shared between a central government and regional or state governments according to a constitution.
In a federation, the different levels of government have their own responsibilities.
Example: Nigeria is a federation because governmental powers are shared between the Federal Government, the 36 state governments and the local government councils.
The features of a federation include:
Nigeria has three levels of government:
1. Federal Government
The Federal Government governs the entire country.
Examples of its responsibilities include:
2. State Government
State governments manage the affairs of their respective states.
Examples of their responsibilities include:
3. Local Government
Local governments administer affairs at the grassroots level.
Examples of their responsibilities include:
| Republic | Federation |
|---|---|
| It describes a form of state in which the head of state is not a hereditary monarch. | It describes a system in which governmental powers are constitutionally shared between levels of government. |
| Its head of state is usually elected directly or indirectly. | It has a central government and regional or state governments. |
| It does not have a hereditary king or queen as head of state. | It allows different levels of government to exercise constitutionally assigned powers. |
| Nigeria is an example. | Nigeria is also an example. |
Nigeria is a republic because its President is not a hereditary monarch.
Nigeria is also a federation because governmental powers are shared between the Federal Government, state governments and local government councils.
Nigeria became a republic on 1st October 1963, after gaining independence from Britain on 1st October 1960.
Step 1: Introduction
The teacher asks pupils who leads Nigeria and whether the position of President is inherited from parents to children.
The teacher introduces the topic, Meaning of Republic and Federation.
Step 2: Explanation of a Republic
The teacher explains the meaning and features of a republic. Pupils learn that Nigeria became a republic in 1963.
Step 3: Explanation of a Federation
The teacher explains the meaning of a federation and describes how governmental powers are shared between different levels of government.
Step 4: Identification of Government Levels
The teacher identifies the Federal, State and Local Governments in Nigeria and explains their basic responsibilities.
Step 5: Comparison
The teacher guides pupils to explain the difference between a republic and a federation.
Step 6: Summary
The teacher summarizes the lesson and emphasizes that Nigeria is both a republic and a federation.
The teacher asks pupils the following questions:
The teacher concludes that a republic is a country whose head of state is not a hereditary monarch, while a federation is a system in which governmental powers are shared between different levels of government.
Nigeria is both a republic and a federation because it has a President who is not a hereditary monarch and a constitutional system that shares powers between the Federal, State and Local Governments.
Instruction: Choose the correct answer from options A–D.
1. Nigeria became a republic in ______.
A. 1960
B. 1963
C. 1966
D. 1979
2. A country in which the head of state is not a hereditary monarch is called a ______.
A. kingdom
B. colony
C. republic
D. monarchy
3. Which of the following best describes a federation?
A. A country ruled by a king alone.
B. A country controlled by another nation.
C. A country without a constitution.
D. A system in which governmental powers are shared between levels of government.
4. Which of the following is NOT a level of government in Nigeria?
A. Federal Government
B. State Government
C. Local Government
D. Traditional Government
5. Nigeria is a republic because ______.
A. its President inherits the position from his parents
B. its head of state is not a hereditary monarch
C. it is ruled by a king
D. it is controlled by Britain