The Nigerian Nationalists Triad Part 2: Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo and Azikiwe

Three towering figures shaped the idea and destiny of modern Nigeria—Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, and Nnamdi Azikiwe. But what united them, what divided them, and how did their ambitions, philosophies, and personal rivalries influence the making of the Nigerian state? In this conversation, Dr. Bola Dauda, co-author of Decolonizing Nigeria, 1945–1960: Politics, Power, and Personalities, revisits the formative years of Nigerian nationalism through the lens of this powerful triad. He examines how Bello, Awolowo, and Azikiwe differed in ideology, regional vision, political strategy, and understanding of power, and how these differences shaped the road to independence and the tensions that followed. Drawing from history, personalities, and political context, the interview sheds light on elite consensus and conflict, the struggle for national unity, and why the legacies of these three men continue to influence Nigeria’s politics today. It is a conversation about leadership, ambition, and the unresolved questions at the heart of the Nigerian project. To order the recommended books, visit udarabooks.com Or chat with Udara Books on WhatsApp: +2348099918449