The Concept & Origin Of Unity Schools In Nigeria

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After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the Federal Government, led by Prime Minister Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, recognized that mistrust and ignorance among government officials were significant obstacles. The 1964 elections in the Western Region further highlighted these issues.

To address these challenges, the Federal Government established "InterRegional Secondary Schools" in 1966, later renamed Federal Government Colleges. These schools were initially located in Okposi (East), Sokoto (North), and Warri (West). Each school was designed to prepare students for both the West African School Certificate (WASC) and Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations.

The primary objectives of these institutions were:

  1. National Integration: To bring together students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and understanding among Nigeria's youth.
  2. Academic Excellence: To create centers of academic excellence, producing well rounded citizens who could contribute to the country's growth and development.
  3. Detribalized Citizenship: To breed citizens who could manage resources effectively, regardless of their ethnic or regional affiliations.
The success of these initial Federal Government Colleges led to their replication in other states. By 1973, nine additional colleges were established, and today, there are 102 Unity Schools in Nigeria, with Kings College and Queens College in Lagos bringing the total number of federally funded colleges to 104.