A socio-cultural group, “Oyo Forum, Abuja”, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise six Nigerian leaders who participated in the signing of the 1914 Amalgamation Treaty that birthed Nigeria by giving them posthumous national honours as Fathers of the Nation.
In the letter dated 18th September, 2025, sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and copied to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Hon Minister of the FCT; the Permanent Secretary (Political and Economic Affairs Office), and the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties in the Presidency, captioned: “Request for posthumous national honours for the Fathers of the Nation involved in the 1914 Amalgamation”, the group noted that the honour is necessary, over a century after.
Signed by Engineer Segun Owolabi and Dr. Ayeleke Dauda (Chairman and Secretary respectively), the “Oyo Forum, Abuja” in the letter listed the names of the eminent Nigerians that signed the 1914 Amalgamation Treaty which unified the Northern and Southern Protectorates into one nation, Nigeria, to be: Oba Siyanbola Onikepe Ladigbolu (Alaafin of Oyo);
Muhammadu Maiturare (Sultan of Sokoto); R. Henshaw (Obong of Calabar); Abubakar Garbai (Shehu of Borno); Usuman bin Abdullahi (Usuman Dan Maje) Emir of Kano; and Sir Kitoye Ajasa (Barrister and Legislator).
The group said, “On behalf of the Oyo Forum, Abuja, we respectfully write to urge the Federal Government to confer posthumous national honours on six eminent Nigerian leaders — traditional and civic — who, by virtue of their leadership of their respective communities signed the 1914 Amalgamation Treaty that unified the Northern and Southern Protectorates into one nation, Nigeria.
“These six individuals, fondly regarded as Fathers of the Nation in this context, demonstrated uncommon foresight and sacrifice in laying the foundations for a united Nigeria, transcending the North and the South, the East and the West. It is only fitting that, more than a century later, our country formally recognizes and honours their contribution”.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Oyo Forum, Abuja said, “we respectfully request that the Federal Government should
document the contributions of these six individuals in the official records of Nigeria’s amalgamation;
Confer appropriate posthumous national honours — such as the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR)
name streets in Abuja, the Federal Capital in their memory;
Integrate their legacy into national history curricula and public memorials to educate future generations on their patriotism and service to the nation”.
It also noted that “these leaders gave their consent and legitimacy to the union of the North and South, the East and West. It is our collective duty to ensure that their collective labour is not in vain. We have full confidence in your office and the Federal Government to do the needful to honour these patriots, and we trust that your action will further strengthen our nation’s unity and appreciation of its foundational history”.
In the short biographies provided on the eminent personalities, qualifying them for the national honours, the group said, “Oba Siyanbola Onikepe Ladigbolu, Alaafin of Oyo was the paramount ruler of the Oyo Empire of the Yoruba people of Western Nigeria. He represented the Yoruba heartland at a time when the colonial administration sought indigenous consent to amalgamation. He played a pivotal role in laying the foundation for a united Nigeria.
“Muhammadu Maiturare, Sultan of Sokoto who reigned between 1915 and1924, was a prominent leader of the Sokoto Caliphate. He helped administer Northern Nigeria at a time of transition under British colonial rule. His reign is remembered for stability and diplomatic engagement with colonial authorities.
“R. Henshaw, Obong of Calabar has long been the symbol of Efik leadership who held the title at the time, and was regarded as one of the prominent Southern traditional rulers engaged by the colonial government in the amalgamation process.
“Abubakar Garbai, Shehu of Borno (1902–1922) was a respected ruler of Borno Emirate, who was instrumental in stabilizing the region under British control and remains a significant figure in the historical narrative of Northern Nigeria’s incorporation into the Protectorate.
“Usuman bin Abdullahi (Usuman Dan Maje), Emir of Kano was one of the leading Muslim traditional rulers of the North during the amalgamation era. As Emir of Kano, he wielded significant influence over a major population centre and was part of the traditional leadership consulted in the process of unification.
“Sir Kitoye Ajasa (1866–1937). Born Edmund Macaulay in Lagos, Ajasa was the first Nigerian to be knighted by the British Crown. A barrister of the Inner Temple, legislator and founder of the Nigerian Pioneer, he championed dialogue between Africans and the colonial government during the amalgamation period”.
