BIOGRAPHY OF DR. NNAMDI AZIKIWE (1904 – 1996)
Owelle of Onitsha • Zik of Africa • Father of Nigerian Nationalism • First President of Nigeria

BIOGRAPHY OF DR. NNAMDI AZIKIWE (1904 – 1996)
Owelle of Onitsha • Zik of Africa • Father of Nigerian Nationalism • First President of Nigeria

1. BIRTH & FAMILY:
   Born 16th November 1904 in Zungeru, Northern Nigeria (present Niger State) — father Obed-Edom Chukwuemeka Azikiwe, an Igbo clerk from Oko, Anambra, mother Rachel Chinwe Azikiwe. Igbo of Onitsha ancestry. Name Nnamdi means “My father is alive”. Died 11th May 1996 at age 91 at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu.
2. EDUCATION — American-Trained Scholar:

• Primary: Holy Trinity School, Onitsha, CMS Central School Lagos, Methodist Boys High School Lagos, Hope Waddell Training Institute Calabar.
• USA 1925-1934: Storer College (now defunct), Howard University Washington DC, Lincoln University Pennsylvania — BA in Political Science (Magna Cum Laude 1930) & MA in Religion 1932.
• University of Pennsylvania: Certificate in Journalism, MA in Anthropology, MSc in Political Science (1933).
• Worked as Instructor at Lincoln University. Taught History and Political Science. This American education made him fearless journalist and Pan-Africanist.

1. JOURNALISM & NATIONALISM:

• Returned to Africa 1934, worked in Gold Coast (Ghana) as Editor of African Morning Post — championed anti-colonialism, deported by British for radical writing.
• 1937: Founded West African Pilot, Lagos — Motto: “Show the light and the people will find the way” — plus chain of newspapers in Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Kano. Used newspapers to fight colonialism.
• Member of Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), then founded National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944 with Herbert Macaulay — first true national political party. Became President after Macaulay died 1946.
• His ideology: Zikism — 5 pillars: Spiritual Balance, Social Regeneration, Economic Determinism, Mental Emancipation, Political Resurgence.

1. POLITICAL CAREER — Man of Many FIRSTS:

• 1947-51: Member of Legislative Council, leader of opposition to Richards Constitution.
• 1952-53: Opposition Leader, Western House of Assembly, then moved to Eastern Region where NCNC had majority.
• 1954-1959: Premier of Eastern Region, Nigeria — Built Eastern Nigeria as fastest growing economy in Africa, built schools, hospitals, industries.
• 1959-1960: President of the Nigerian Senate and leader of coalition that negotiated Independence.
• 1st October 1960 – 16th November 1960: Governor-General of Nigeria — First indigenous Governor-General representing Queen Elizabeth II after Independence.
• 16th November 1960 – 1st October 1963: Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief (still under Queen).
• 1st October 1963 – 15th January 1966: FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA — First President when Nigeria became Republic. Ceremonial President under parliamentary system, with Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
• Overthrown in first military coup 15th January 1966.
• 1967-1970: During Biafran War, initially supported Ojukwu and Biafra as roving ambassador, later in 1969 called for unity and worked for peace.
• 1978-1983: Founded Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) in Second Republic, contested for President 1979 and 1983, became kingmaker.

1. ACHIEVEMENTS & LEGACY:

• Built University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1960 — First indigenous university in Nigeria, modeled after American system.
• Built many industries in Eastern Region: Nigerian Cement Company Nkalagu, Niger Steel, Presidential Hotel Enugu, etc.
• Authored over 30 books: Renascent Africa (1937), My Odyssey (1970 autobiography), Zikism etc.
• Titles: Owelle of Onitsha, Nnanyelugo, Great Zik of Africa.
• Member of Privy Council of UK, Grand Commander of Federal Republic (GCFR).
• His house in Onitsha now museum. International Airport Enugu and UNIZIK Awka named after him.

1. FAMILY:
   Married Flora Ogbenyeanu Ogoegbunam Azikiwe (died 1983), then Uche Azikiwe. Children: Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe, etc. Second wife still alive, professor.

Zik is the Father of Nigerian Nationalism — the man who gave Ndigbo and all Nigeria voice against colonialism through pen. Without Zik, no Independence in 1960.