Achievements of Upn

Q: What Were the Achievements of UPN?

See the detailed explanation in this article about achievements of upn.

What Were the Achievements of UPN?

The Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) won governorship in five states (Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Bendel) in 1979 and provided free education to millions of students. Led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, UPN came second in the presidential elections with 4.9 million votes and served as the main opposition party during Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979-1983).

Quick Summary

Won governorship in five states in 1979: Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel
Provided free education at all levels in UPN-controlled states from October 1979
Came second in 1979 presidential elections with 4.9 million votes
Served as formidable opposition party to the ruling NPN
Implemented free healthcare and rural development programs

Major Achievements of UPN

Achievement	Details	Impact
Electoral Success	Won governorship in 5 southwestern states	Controlled Nigeria’s most developed region
Free Education	Free primary and secondary education from Oct 1979	Over 1.2 million students benefited by 1983
Presidential Race	4.9 million votes, came second in 1979	Proved UPN had nationwide support
Legislative Strength	28 Senate + 111 House seats	Second-largest party in National Assembly
Free Healthcare	Free medical care at primary level	Basic healthcare accessible to ordinary citizens
Rural Development	Roads, electricity, agricultural support	Improved village life and food production
Housing	Low-cost estates in Lagos (Jakande estates)	Affordable homes still exist today

Detailed Explanation of UPN Achievements

1. Winning Five State Governorships (1979)

In the 1979 elections, UPN won governorship in five southwestern states: Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel. Bendel State later split into Edo and Delta states.

These victories gave UPN control over Nigeria’s most educated and economically developed region. The party could now implement its social welfare programs in these states.

Famous UPN governors included:

Alhaji Lateef Jakande (Lagos): Built hundreds of schools and low-cost housing estates
Chief Bola Ige (Oyo): Known as “Cicero” for his brilliant speeches and free education program
Chief Bisi Onabanjo (Ogun): Implemented comprehensive rural development
Chief Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo): Focused on agriculture and education
Professor Ambrose Alli (Bendel): Established free education and healthcare

Think of it like one party sweeping all the governorship seats in the entire South-West. That level of success showed voters strongly believed in UPN’s message.

2. Free Education for Millions

UPN’s biggest and most famous achievement was providing free education. From October 1, 1979, students in UPN states did not pay school fees from primary to secondary level.

In Lagos State alone, school enrollment jumped dramatically. Governor Jakande built hundreds of new primary and secondary schools to handle the increase. Children from poor families who could never afford education before now went to school for free.

By 1983, over 1.2 million children benefited from UPN’s free education program across the five states. This replicated Chief Awolowo’s earlier success in the old Western Region during the 1950s, where primary school enrollment surged from 429,542 in 1953 to over 1 million by 1959.

The program’s impact lasted beyond UPN’s time in power. Many professionals in Nigeria today – doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers – got their education through this free education program. They came from families who could never have afforded school fees.

Imagine a family in Mushin, Lagos with four children. Before UPN, the parents could only send one child to school because of fees. After UPN’s free education, all four children attended school. That changed their entire family’s future.

3. Strong Presidential Performance

In the August 11, 1979 presidential elections, Chief Obafemi Awolowo came second with 4.9 million votes. He lost to Shehu Shagari of NPN, but UPN’s performance was impressive.

Many Nigerians believed Awolowo actually won the election. The result was controversial because of the “12 2/3 states” formula. The constitution required a candidate to win in at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 19 states. Shagari won in 12 states plus a small percentage in a 13th state, which the court accepted as meeting the requirement.

Despite losing, UPN’s 4.9 million votes proved it was a serious national party, not just a regional one. It showed that millions of Nigerians across the country trusted Awolowo’s leadership and vision.

Awolowo ran again in 1983 but lost again to Shagari. The 1983 election was even more controversial, with widespread allegations of rigging.

4. Effective Opposition in the National Assembly

UPN won 28 Senate seats and 111 House of Representatives seats in 1979. This made it the second-largest party in the National Assembly after NPN.

UPN used this position to serve as a strong opposition party. UPN senators and representatives:

Questioned NPN government ministers about corruption and wasteful spending
Opposed bad policies that would hurt ordinary Nigerians
Proposed alternative policies on education, healthcare, and the economy
Demanded accountability from the ruling party
Exposed government corruption through parliamentary debates

This opposition role was healthy for Nigerian democracy. It prevented NPN from having unchecked power. It showed that democracy works best when there are strong parties debating different ideas.

Think of it like how INEC needs observers during elections. Similarly, Nigeria’s government needed UPN as an observer and challenger to keep things fair.

5. Free Healthcare Programs

UPN states implemented free medical care for citizens. The program focused on primary healthcare, making basic medical services accessible to ordinary Nigerians.

What UPN did:

Built health centers in rural areas where none existed before
Provided free drugs for common illnesses like malaria and typhoid
Made maternal and child health services free
Offered free immunization for children
Trained more community health workers

While the program faced challenges due to limited resources, it represented a serious attempt to make healthcare a right, not a privilege. Before this, many poor families could not afford to visit hospitals even when seriously ill.

6. Rural Development and Agriculture

UPN believed Nigeria’s villages should not be left behind while cities developed. The party focused on “integrated rural development.”

UPN governments:

Built roads connecting villages to markets so farmers could sell their crops easily
Provided electricity to rural areas (before this, most villages had no light)
Gave farmers fertilizers and improved seeds at low cost
Built rural health centers and schools
Created rural banks to provide loans to farmers
Trained farmers in modern agricultural methods

The goal was to increase food production and make village life better. This would reduce the rush to cities for jobs and education. It would also ensure Nigeria could feed itself.

7. Housing Development

In Lagos State, Governor Jakande built extensive low-cost housing estates for ordinary workers. These housing projects provided affordable homes for teachers, civil servants, market traders, and low-income earners.

The Jakande estates still exist in Lagos today – in Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Satellite Town, Dolphin Estate, and other areas. They remain examples of how government can provide affordable housing instead of leaving everything to expensive private developers.

Before these estates, many Lagos workers lived in crowded “face-me-I-face-you” compounds. Jakande’s housing gave them decent homes with electricity, water, and proper sanitation.

Historical Context

UPN was formed on September 22, 1978, when the military government lifted the ban on political activities. This was just one day after the ban was lifted.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo founded UPN as a continuation of his earlier Action Group party from the First Republic (1960-1966). Many Action Group members joined UPN.

The party’s ideology was “democratic socialism.” This meant using government power to provide free education, healthcare, and jobs for all citizens. UPN believed government should actively help the poor, not just protect the rich.

UPN’s four cardinal programs were:

Free education at all levels
Free medical care for all
Integrated rural development
Full employment for citizens

UPN existed from 1978 to 1983. When the military overthrew the Second Republic on December 31, 1983, all political parties including UPN were banned.

Common Exam Mistakes

WAEC examiners report that students often:

List wrong states: Some students say UPN won in all western states or include states like Kwara. No – it was specifically Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel in 1979. (Note: In 1983, UPN also won Kwara, but focus on 1979 unless the question specifies 1983.)
Forget the year: WAEC wants you to mention 1979 when discussing UPN’s electoral success. Don’t just say “UPN won five states” – say “UPN won five states in 1979.”
Confuse UPN with Action Group: AG was Awolowo’s party in the First Republic (1960-66). UPN was his party in the Second Republic (1979-83). They’re related but different parties formed in different eras.
Miss the opposition role: Many students only mention free education and forget that serving as an effective opposition party was also a major achievement. Both roles were important.
Can’t explain free education’s impact: Don’t just write “UPN provided free education.” Explain HOW it helped millions of poor children attend school and WHY this mattered for Nigeria’s development. Give examples.
Forget Chief Awolowo: Always mention that Chief Obafemi Awolowo founded and led UPN. His leadership and vision were central to the party’s success.
Write “UPN won the presidency”: No! UPN came SECOND in the presidential elections. NPN’s Shehu Shagari won. Get this right.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In which year did UPN win governorship in five states?

a) 1978
b) 1979 ✓
c) 1980
d) 1983

2. Which of these states did UPN NOT win in 1979?

a) Lagos
b) Oyo
c) Kano ✓
d) Ondo

3. Who was the founder and leader of UPN?

a) Nnamdi Azikiwe
b) Shehu Shagari
c) Obafemi Awolowo ✓
d) Ahmadu Bello

4. How many votes did Chief Awolowo get in the 1979 presidential election?

a) 3.5 million
b) 4.9 million ✓
c) 5.6 million
d) 6.2 million

Essay Questions

Question 1: Outline four achievements of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). [12 marks – WAEC Nov/Dec 2015 format]

Sample Answer:

Won five state governorships (3 marks): In the 1979 general elections, UPN won governorship in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel states. This gave the party control over southwestern Nigeria and enabled it to implement its social welfare programs.
Provided free education (3 marks): From October 1979, UPN states implemented free education at primary and secondary levels. Over 1.2 million children from poor families benefited from this program by 1983. Hundreds of new schools were built to handle increased enrollment.
Served as strong opposition (3 marks): UPN won 28 Senate seats and 111 House seats, making it the second-largest party in the National Assembly. UPN legislators questioned government policies, exposed corruption, and prevented NPN from having unchecked power.
Implemented free healthcare and rural development (3 marks): UPN states provided free medical care at primary healthcare level. The party built roads in rural areas, provided electricity to villages, and supported farmers with fertilizers and improved seeds to increase food production.

Question 2: Explain FIVE achievements of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). [20 marks]

Sample Answer Points:

Won five state governorships (4 marks): In the 1979 general elections, UPN won governorship in Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, and Bendel states. Famous UPN governors included Lateef Jakande (Lagos) who built hundreds of schools and low-cost housing, and Bola Ige (Oyo) who was known for his brilliant implementation of free education. This success gave UPN control over Nigeria’s most developed region.
Provided free education to millions (4 marks): From October 1, 1979, UPN states made education free at primary and secondary levels. Millions of children from poor families could now attend school without paying fees. In Lagos alone, hundreds of schools were built to handle increased enrollment. This program benefited over 1.2 million students across UPN states by 1983 and created the educated workforce Nigeria has today.
Strong presidential performance (4 marks): Chief Awolowo came second in the 1979 presidential elections with 4.9 million votes. Although he lost to NPN’s Shehu Shagari, the result was controversial and many believed Awolowo won. This strong showing proved UPN had national support beyond the southwest and showed that Nigerians trusted Awolowo’s leadership.
Effective opposition role (4 marks): UPN won 28 Senate seats and 111 House of Representatives seats, making it the second-largest party in the National Assembly. UPN legislators questioned government ministers about corruption, opposed wasteful spending, and proposed alternative policies on education, healthcare, and the economy. This healthy opposition prevented NPN from having unchecked power.
Social welfare programs (4 marks): UPN states implemented free medical care at primary healthcare level, built health centers in rural areas, and provided free drugs for common illnesses. The party also focused on rural development by building roads connecting villages to markets, providing electricity to rural areas, and supporting farmers. In Lagos, Governor Jakande built low-cost housing estates like Isolo and Amuwo-Odofin that still exist today.

Examiner’s Tip: When WAEC asks you to “explain,” provide detailed answers showing HOW each achievement was accomplished and WHY it mattered. When asked to “outline,” give brief explanations with key facts. Notice the difference in length between the two sample answers above.

Memory Aid

UPN’s Five Winning States (1979) – Remember “LOBO Ondo”:

Lagos (Jakande)
Oyo (Bola Ige)
Bendel (Ambrose Alli)
Ogun (Onabanjo)
Ondo (Ajasin)

UPN’s Four Cardinal Programs – Remember “FREM”:

Free education at all levels
Rural development (integrated)
Employment for all citizens
Medical care (free for all)