Obafemi Awolowo

Chief Obafemi Awolowo GCFR
Taken in 1959
Premier of Western Nigeria
In office 1 October 1954 – 1 October 1960
Succeeded by	Samuel Akintola
Federal Commissioner for Finance
In office 1967–1971
Preceded by	Festus Okotie-Eboh
Succeeded by	Shehu Shagari
Personal details
Born	Jeremiah Obafemi Oyeniyi Awolowo (1909-03-06)6 March 1909 Ikenne, Southern Nigeria Protectorate (now in Ogun State, Nigeria)
Died	9 May 1987(1987-05-09) (aged 78) Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria
Political party	Unity Party of Nigeria (1978–1983) Action Group (1950–1966)
Spouse	Hannah Adelana ​ (m. 1937)​
Relations	Yemi Osinbajo (grandson-in-law) Oludolapo Osinbajo (granddaughter) Segun Awolowo Jr. (grandson)
Children	5
Alma mater	University of London
Profession	Journalist, lawyer

Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo (// ^ⓘ Yoruba: Ọbáfẹ́mi Oyèéníyì Awólọ́wọ̀; 6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987) was a Nigerian nationalist and politician who played a key role in Nigeria's independence movement (1957–1960).^[1][2][3] Awolowo founded the Yoruba nationalist group Egbe Omo Oduduwa,^[4] and was the first Leader of Government Business and Minister of Local Government and Finance, and first Premier of the Western Region under Nigeria's parliamentary system, from 1952 to 1959.^[5] He was the official opposition leader in the federal parliament to the Balewa government from 1959 -1963.^[6][4]

As a young man he was an active journalist, editing publications such as the Nigerian Worker, on top of others as well. He later became founder & publisher of Nigerian Tribune of African Newspapers of Nigeria Ltd.^[7] After receiving his bachelors of commerce degree in Nigeria, he traveled to London to pursue his degree in law.^[8] Obafemi Awolowo was the first premier of the Western Region and later federal commissioner for finance, and vice chairman of the Federal Executive Council^[9] during the Nigerian Civil War.^[10] He was thrice a major contender for the country's highest office.^[11]

A native of Ikenne in Ogun State of south-western Nigeria,^[12] Awolowo started his career, like some of his well-known contemporaries, as a nationalist in the Nigerian Youth Movement in which he rose to become Western Provincial Secretary.^[7] Awolowo was responsible for much of the progressive social legislation that has made Nigeria a modern nation.^[13] In 1963, he was tried and jailed for 10 years on charges of sedition^[14]. He was pardoned by the government until 1966, after which he appointed the Minister of Finance.^[15][16] In recognition of all of this, Awolowo was the first individual in the modern era to be named as the leader of the Yorubas (Yoruba: Asíwájú Àwọn Yorùbá or Asíwájú Ọmọ Oòduà).^[17][18]