Sir Henry Willinck’s commission was set up in 1958 by the Colonial Government to address the problem of

Analyze the question: The question asks what problem the Willink Commission (1957-58) was set up to address.

Explain the concept: Before independence in 1960, the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria (such as the Ijaw, Ogoni, Efik, Tiv, Idoma, Edo, and others) feared domination by the three major groups: the Hausa-Fulani in the North, the Yoruba in the West, and the Igbo in the East. They asked for the creation of new states to protect their interests.

Solution:

1. The British Colonial Government appointed the Commission in 1957, and it submitted its report in 1958. It was headed by Sir Henry Willink.
2. Its terms of reference were to investigate the fears of minorities and propose ways of allaying them.
3. The Commission did not recommend creating new states. Instead, it recommended including protections for minority rights (fundamental human rights) in the independence constitution.
4. It also recommended special development boards for areas such as the Niger Delta.

Eliminating the other options:

• A, D and E (derivation principle, revenue allocation, sharing formula): these relate to the Raisman Commission (1958), the Chick Commission (1953), and others on fiscal matters.
• B (inter-ethnic rivalry): this is too general. The Commission focused specifically on minority fears.

Answer: C. minority ethnic groups

Tip: Link the names to their topics:

• Willink: Willing to listen to minorities
• Raisman: revenue allocation (fiscal commission)
• Clifford/Richards/Macpherson: constitutions