Nigerianisation

Nigerianisation was the policy of training and posting Nigerians to positions of responsibility previously occupied by expatriates in the public service of the government of Nigeria. The process was largely implemented in the 1950s. It was gradual and involved reorganizing government agencies and expanding educational facilities at selected high schools and colleges. Nigerianisation became important as Nigeria marched towards independence, with both the Nigerian Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives supporting the idea of Nigerian control over senior positions in the Public Service, such as permanent secretaries.

Background

Colonial Service

• In the 1930s, the Colonial Service administration became unified and controlled from London, limiting opportunities for Africans.
• Recruitment and placement of officers into Nigerian service were processed through London, with little consideration for suitable Africans.
• Indirect rule placed expatriate Residents, Divisional Officers, and administrators in provinces, with expatriate secretaries in the bureaucratic secretariat handling communications with London.
• Many positions were filled with expatriates from other colonies, leaving Africans in junior roles.
• By WWII, Nigeria had a large expatriate-dominated bureaucracy, but service quality declined due to low pay, constant transfers, separation from families, and growing governance complexities.
• A post-war salary commission replaced “European posts” with “Senior Posts” and “African posts” with “Junior Posts,” reinforcing disparities.
• Educated Nigerians began demanding increased African participation in senior administrative positions.
• By 1948, of 3,786 senior positions, only 245 were Africans, 1,245 were vacant, and the rest were held by expatriates.

1948–1952

The Foot Commission of Enquiry

• Tasked with recruiting suitable Nigerians for public service.
• Recommended:
  • No non-Nigerian should be recruited if a qualified Nigerian is available.
  • Public service boards with non-official majorities to select candidates.
  • Departmental boards to recommend promotions and training candidates.
  • Expansion of scholarships and training awards, including for women.
  • Enlargement of local training facilities.
• Regional politics limited implementation — Southern leaders felt progress was too slow; Northern leaders feared marginalization due to fewer qualified candidates.

Nigerianisation: 1952–1960

Progress in the Southern Region

• In 1952, the Council of Ministers (dominated by Nigerians) prioritized Nigerianisation.
• The Adebo–Phillipson Commission (1952–1953) noted an increase of Africans in senior positions from 245 (1948) to 685 (1953), but expatriates also increased.
• Recommended:
  • Advertising vacancies to Nigerians abroad.
  • Promotions based on merit but excluding non-Nigerians on secondment.
  • No non-Nigerians in newly created posts.
  • Preference for contract terms in hiring expatriates.
• The Lyttleton Constitution (1954) regionalized the civil service, accelerating Nigerianisation in the South but depleting federal service of African staff.

Progress in the Federal Service

• In 1955, the House of Representatives pushed for Nigerianisation.
• Sessional Paper No. 4 (1956) proposed:
  • Creating an Office of the Nigerianisation Officer.
  • Expanding training (Senior, Intermediate, Preliminary).
  • Recruiting Nigerian students in the UK.
• By 1961, Nigerians held 3,030 of 5,133 senior positions; by 1965, Nigerianisation was virtually complete.

Foreign Service

• Sessional Paper No. 11 (1956) planned training diplomats for overseas missions.
• Selected administrative officers sent abroad ahead of independence.

Military

• Control shifted to the Governor-General’s office before independence.
• Expatriate officers were limited to 3-year secondments.
• In 1959, out of 297 officers, 37 were Nigerians (3 majors, 6 captains, 28 subalterns).
• Cadet programs in secondary schools identified potential officers for overseas training.
• British non-commissioned officers were gradually reduced between 1956 and 1961.

Northernisation

• Northern progress was slower due to fewer graduates and preference for indirect rule.
• Political leaders restricted Southerner recruitment and promoted Northerners in service.
• Retained expatriates as neutral transients to avoid Southern domination.
• Provided scholarships and established administrative courses at the Institute of Administration, Zaria.
• Prioritized Northern representation in federal senior positions.

Issues

Expatriates

• Expatriate-led Civil Service Organization demanded compensation.
• In 1958, the colonial office and Nigerian government agreed on lump-sum settlements for early retirement before independence.
• Modifications were made in 1959 to ensure fair treatment for expatriates who stayed.