Theory question 109
Constitutional Development in NigeriaSection B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations
Explain the importance of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 in the political development of Nigeria.
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Made Nigeria a true federation of three regions plus Lagos as federal territory.
Divided powers into exclusive, concurrent and residual lists.
Regions got their own civil services, judiciaries and marketing boards (regional autonomy).
Created the offices of regional Premiers and turned Lieutenant-Governors into Governors and the Governor into Governor-General.
Nigerian ministers took charge of departments with full ministerial responsibility.
Introduced direct elections to the federal and some regional legislatures.
Separated Lagos from the West and Southern Cameroons from the East.
Created the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Removed the central government's power to veto regional laws.
Prepared the way for self-government and independence.
Explain each point.