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Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 and Nigerian Federalism

Although the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution formally established Nigerian federalism and instituted the position of Premier to lead executive governance in each region, how was executive leadership structured at the central (federal) level?

  1. The Governor-General continued to preside over the central Council of Ministers, as the post of central Prime Minister had not yet been created.Answer
  2. B
    A central Prime Minister was appointed to head the Council of Ministers and direct federal policy across all regions.
  3. C
    The three Regional Premiers rotated leadership of the central Cabinet on an annual basis to ensure equal representation.
  4. D
    The central executive body was abolished, delegating all executive decisions exclusively to individual regional governors.

Answer

The Governor-General continued to preside over the central Council of Ministers, as the post of central Prime Minister had not yet been created.
The 1954 Lyttelton Constitution established a federal system of government in Nigeria, creating autonomous regions with their own Regional Executive Councils headed by Regional Premiers. However, at the central level, executive power remained under the presidency of the British Governor-General who chaired the central Council of Ministers. The position of Prime Minister of the Federation was not established until 1957.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the executive political structure established by the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution at both regional and federal levels.
Identified that while regional executive councils were now led by Nigerian Premiers, the central executive remained under colonial leadership.
The Lyttelton Constitution introduced true federalism and regional autonomy, including regional premierships, but retained colonial headship at the federal center.
2
Distinguish the executive leadership provisions of the 1954 Constitution from later constitutional developments in 1957.
Confirmed that the office of Federal Prime Minister was created following the 1957 Constitutional Conference, not in 1954.
In 1954, the central Council of Ministers was chaired by the Governor-General (formerly Governor).

Key Concept

Executive Restructuring under the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution
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Topics

The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 and Nigerian Federalism