Q. What were the key factors that led to Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960?

Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960 was the result of a combination of factors. The country’s nationalist movement, led by figures such as Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo, played a significant role in pushing for independence. The movement gained momentum in the 1940s and 1950s, with Nigerians demanding self-rule and an end to British colonial rule. The British government, weakened by World War II, was also more willing to grant independence to its colonies. The Labour government in Britain, which came to power in 1945, was committed to decolonization. Additionally, the United Nations’ call for self-determination and independence for colonized countries added pressure on Britain to grant Nigeria its independence. Negotiations between Nigerian leaders and the British government led to the Lancaster House Conference in 1960, which paved the way for Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960.