with
President Kennedy, 1961 Balewa retained the post of
Prime Minister of Nigeria when Nigeria gained independence in 1960 and was reelected in 1964. He announced independence in a motion to Parliament on 18 January 1959:
Domestic policy The Republic Nigeria adopted
a new constitution in 1963 which abolished the
monarchy and the office of governor-general, with Nigeria becoming a
parliamentary republic within the Commonwealth and
Nnamdi Azikiwe as
President of Nigeria and head of state.
Regional policy Prior to Nigeria's independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount of
political freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse
cultural groups. The
premiers and some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional
factionalism constantly threatening his government. However, a
treason charge and conviction against one of the western region's leaders,
Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo's western opponents.
Foreign policy As Prime Minister of
Nigeria, Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of
Jaja Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the first substantive Nigerian
Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs. A week after taking office, he arrived in the United States on his first foreign visit to address the United Nations.
Africa However, as Prime Minister of
Nigeria, Balewa played important roles in the continent's formative
indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the
Organisation of African Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with
French speaking
African countries. He was also instrumental in negotiations between
Moise Tshombe and the
Congolese authorities during the
Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He led a vocal protest against the
Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with
Commonwealth ministers who wanted
South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961.
United States Balewa visited the US in 1961 for eight days, four of which he spent in Washington at
Blair House. During his visit, he became the first Nigerian leader to address a
Joint session of the United States Congress and visited the
Islamic Center of Washington. He had an enormous amount of respect for President
John F. Kennedy, describing him, and his age in particular as "matured as that of any older statesman." He took part in the launch of the
Syncom 2 NASA program, allowing him to phone for President Kennedy from the
USNS Kingsport docked at Lagos Harbor via the SYNCOM satellite on 23 August 1963. It marked the first live two-way call between heads of government by satellite.
Commonwealth Balewa, during his premiership, attached great importance to Nigeria's Commonwealth membership, declaring in a UN speech, "We shall not forget our old friends."
Overthrow and murder Balewa was overthrown and murdered in a
military coup on 15 January 1966, as were many other leaders, including his old companion
Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still remain unresolved. His body was discovered at a roadside near
Lagos six days after he was ousted from office. Balewa was buried in
Bauchi. News of his assassination spurred violent riots throughout
Northern Nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody
counter-coup of July 1966. ==Legacy and tributes==