Aims/Objectives of the Party (nym)

History and Formation of the Nigerian Youth Movement

The Nigerian Youth Movement started in 1934 when Lagos nationalists came together to fight for Nigerian interests. Ernest Ikoli, H.O Davies, Dr. J.C Vaughan, and Samuel Akinsanya founded the movement. They first called it the Lagos Youth Movement because it focused on Lagos issues.

By 1936, the organization changed its name to Nigerian Youth Movement. This change happened when people from other parts of Nigeria joined. The new name showed that the movement was now for all Nigerians, not just Lagos residents.

Dr. Kofo Abayomi became the president. Ernest Ikoli served as vice president. H.O. Davies worked as the secretary. Other important members included Samuel Akintola, Chief Shonibare, and Chief Bode. Professor Eyo Ita is recognized as the founding father.

The NYM was special because it was the first organization that brought different ethnic groups together. Before NYM, most groups focused on one region or ethnic group. NYM wanted to unite all Nigerians against British rule.

Main Objectives of the Nigerian Youth Movement

The NYM created a document called the Nigerian Youth Charter in 1938. This charter explained what the movement wanted to achieve. The primary aim was to develop a united nation from all the different peoples living in Nigeria.

Here are the main objectives the NYM fought for:

1. Political Autonomy and Self-Government

NYM wanted Nigerians to control their own country. They demanded political and economic autonomy within the British Commonwealth. This meant Nigeria should run its own affairs while still being part of the Commonwealth. The ultimate goal was complete self-government where Nigerians would make all decisions without British interference.

2. Control of Township Councils

The movement struggled for Nigerians to control Township councils. At that time, British officials ran most councils in Nigerian cities. NYM believed Nigerians should manage their own local governments. They wanted to prove that Nigerians could govern themselves effectively at the local level first.

3. Higher Positions for Nigerians in Civil Service

NYM demanded that the colonial government appoint Africans to senior positions in the civil service. The British kept all important government jobs for themselves. They gave Nigerians only junior positions. NYM fought to end this discrimination. They argued that qualified Nigerians should get executive appointments in government.

4. National Unity Across Ethnic Groups

The movement worked to promote complete understanding and common nationalism among different ethnic groups. Nigeria had many tribes speaking different languages. NYM wanted these groups to see themselves as one nation. They established branches in urban areas throughout Nigeria to promote inter-tribal cooperation.

5. Educational and Employment Equality

NYM’s motto was “Equality, Opportunity, and Self-Determination.” The movement addressed discrimination in education and employment. One immediate concern was the inferior status of Yaba College. They wanted better educational facilities for Nigerians that matched European standards.

6. Economic Justice

The movement fought against discrimination in business. For example, they challenged unfair treatment of African truck drivers who faced different rules than European drivers. NYM wanted equal economic opportunities for all Nigerians.

Immediate Concerns that Led to NYM Formation

Three main issues pushed nationalists to create NYM:

First, the colonial government established Yaba College as a supposedly inferior institution compared to universities in Britain. Students who graduated from Yaba College did not get the same recognition as those who studied in Britain. NYM protested this educational discrimination.

Second, the government refused to appoint qualified Africans to senior civil service positions. Even Nigerians with good education could not rise above certain levels. Top positions remained reserved for British officials.

Third, African truck drivers faced unfair rules and discrimination compared to European drivers. The colonial authorities treated Nigerian businessmen as second-class citizens in their own country.

Comparison: NYM vs. Earlier Nationalist Groups

Major Achievements of NYM

The Nigerian Youth Movement achieved important victories in its early years:

In October 1938, NYM won elections for the Lagos Town Council. This victory was significant because it ended the long dominance of Herbert Macaulay and the National Democratic Party (NNDP). Macaulay had controlled Lagos politics for many years. NYM’s victory proved that young nationalists could challenge the old political order.

The movement successfully brought together educated Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds. This was the first time Yoruba, Igbo, and other groups worked together in one political organization. This unity became a model for future nationalist movements.

NYM also raised political awareness across Nigeria. Through meetings, newspapers, and public speeches, they educated people about their rights. They showed Nigerians that they could demand better treatment from colonial authorities.

Why the NYM Eventually Declined

Despite its early success, the Nigerian Youth Movement faced problems that led to its decline after 1941:

The main problem was the 1941 leadership crisis. When a Lagos Legislative Council seat became vacant, NYM had to choose a candidate. The selection process caused serious disagreement. Some members supported Samuel Akinsanya (a Yoruba from Ijebu). Others wanted Ernest Ikoli (an Ijaw). This dispute divided the movement along ethnic lines.

When Ikoli won the NYM nomination, many Yoruba members felt betrayed. They accused Igbo members of ganging up against the Yoruba candidate. Nnamdi Azikiwe and other prominent members left the movement. The ethnic unity that made NYM strong had broken down.

After this split, NYM lost its national character. It became mainly a Yoruba organization based in Lagos. The movement could not recover its former strength. By the late 1940s, new political parties like NCNC and Action Group had replaced NYM as the leading nationalist organizations.

Common Exam Mistakes Students Make

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When was the Lagos Youth Movement renamed Nigerian Youth Movement?
a) 1934
b) 1936 ✓
c) 1938
d) 1941

2. What was the motto of the Nigerian Youth Movement?
a) “Freedom and Justice”
b) “Equality, Opportunity, and Self-Determination” ✓
c) “Unity and Faith”
d) “One Nation, One Destiny”

3. Who was the first president of the Nigerian Youth Movement?
a) Ernest Ikoli
b) H.O. Davies
c) Dr. Kofo Abayomi ✓
d) Samuel Akinsanya

4. Which election victory marked NYM’s greatest achievement?
a) Lagos Legislative Council 1936
b) Lagos Town Council 1938 ✓
c) Western House of Assembly 1941
d) Federal Elections 1944

Essay/Theory Questions

Question 1: State FIVE objectives of the Nigerian Youth Movement. (10 marks – 2 marks each)

Examiner’s Tip: Use action words like “achieve,” “promote,” “demand.” Each point should be a complete objective, not just a topic. For example, write “To achieve political and economic autonomy from British rule” not just “autonomy.”

Question 2: Explain FOUR factors that led to the decline of the Nigerian Youth Movement after 1941. (12 marks – 3 marks each)

Examiner’s Tip: “Explain” means give details, not just list. For each factor, say what happened and how it weakened NYM. Start with the 1941 leadership crisis and explain fully how it destroyed ethnic unity.

Question 3: “The Nigerian Youth Movement was the first genuine nationalist organization in Nigeria.” Discuss this statement with reference to FIVE features that made NYM different from earlier political groups. (15 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: Compare NYM with groups like NNDP. Show five ways NYM was more nationalist: multi-ethnic membership, national scope, self-government goal, modern strategy, youth leadership. Give examples for each point.

Memory Aids

Related Topics You Should Study

• Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) – understand the group NYM defeated in 1938
• National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) – the party formed after NYM declined
• Herbert Macaulay – the nationalist leader NYM challenged in Lagos politics
• Nationalism in Nigeria – see how NYM fits into the broader independence movement
• Constitutional Development in Nigeria – how nationalist groups influenced colonial reforms