When was the office of the Prime minister first created in Nigeria?

Analyze the question: It asks for the year the office of Prime Minister was first created in Nigeria. This is a constitutional history question.

Concept: Before 1957, Nigeria's colonial governments were led by the Governor-General and the Executive Council. The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 made Nigeria a federation, but it did not create the post of Prime Minister. It created the Federal Executive Council, which was presided over by the Governor-General.

Key facts:

• 1954: Lyttelton Constitution. Nigeria became a federation, but there was still no Prime Minister.
• 1957: Following the constitutional conferences of 1953, 1954, 1957 and 1958, the Federal Executive Council was reorganised, and the office of Prime Minister was created. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Deputy Leader of the NPC, was appointed the first Prime Minister on 2 September 1957.
• 1958: The London Constitutional Conference fixed the independence date as 1 October 1960.
• 1959: Federal elections were held, and Balewa formed a coalition government with the NCNC.
• 1960: Independence was achieved, and Balewa continued as Prime Minister.

Solution: The office was created in 1957, when Balewa was appointed the first Prime Minister of the Federation, still under colonial rule. So the answer is 1957.

Answer: B. 1957

Exam tip: Remember the sequence 1954 → federation, 1957 → Prime Minister, 1959 → elections, 1960 → independence. Whenever "first Prime Minister" appears, link it to Balewa in 1957. Don't confuse it with 1960, which is the year he became Prime Minister of an independent Nigeria.