Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna

Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna Arewa House Kaduna, is the Centre for Historical Documentation and Research, of Ahmadu Bello University The origin of Arewa house goes back to 1968.

in that year, the interim common service agency (henceforth referred to as ICSA),a body controlled by the Governors of the six northern states, with functions similar to those of the present consultative meeting of the eleven Governors of the Northern state, established the History Northern Nigeria Project
Committee (henceforth referred to as the Committee). The first Chairman of the ommitt

ee was the Late Alhaji Ali Akilu His position was taken over after his death, early in 1971, by Alhaji Liman Ciroma. These two gentlemen showed an extra-ordinary example of dedication in their handling of the projects. Alhaji Liman Ciroma continued to steer the affairs of the committee until 1976, when Arewa House was taken over by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Needless to say the six Governors of the Northern state, through their consultatative body, ICSA, worked tirelessly, to ensure the success of the project.The first formal meeting of the committee took place on the 15th of January 1970

On the 6th of August, The Director Arewa House, Prof, Aliyu Yahaya led a delegation to the office of the Honorable Commi...
07/08/2026

On the 6th of August, The Director Arewa House, Prof, Aliyu Yahaya led a delegation to the office of the Honorable Commissioner, Prof. Abubakar Sani Sambo to discuss on possible areas of collaboration between both institutions towards improving education and its delivery in Kaduna State.

A Moment of History This historic photograph is a remarkable record of Nigeria’s early parliamentary democracy. It capt...
31/07/2026

A Moment of History
This historic photograph is a remarkable record of Nigeria’s early parliamentary democracy. It captures Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa alongside members of his cabinet and the House of representatives in Lagos in 1957, with the iconic Parliament Building behind. This photo was taken three years before Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the image symbolizes a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional journey towards self-government.
This gathering reflects an era of political cooperation and institution-building, when leaders from different regions and political backgrounds worked within the parliamentary system to shape the future of an emerging nation. The parliament building, which was then the seat of Nigeria’s legislature, represented democratic governance, legislative debate and national unity. Today this photograph stands as a reminder of the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and the leadership of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, whose commitment to dialogue, consensus, and national service continues to occupy an important place in the country’s political history.




Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa remains one of Nigeria’s most distinguished figure in political history. He provided steady...
16/07/2026

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa remains one of Nigeria’s most distinguished figure in political history. He provided steady and principled leadership during one of the most important periods of Nigeria’s journey. His integrity and unwavering commitment to democracy earned him respect both within and outside Nigeria.
Sir Abubakar understood that Nigeria’s greatest challenges was not simply achieving independence but preserving unity among its many ethnic, religious and regional communities, hence, his political style emphasized on dialogue, compromise and mutual respect.
On international stage, He elevated Nigeria’s profile as a respected African nation where he supported Africa’s liberation movements, strengthened diplomatic ties, and championed peaceful coexistence when the world was changing rapidly.
His life came to a tragic end during a military coup on 15th January 1966 which marked the end of the First Republic. He is remembered not merely as Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, but as a statesman whose character embodied dignity, patriotism and selfless service.
Today, as Nigeria continues its journey toward national development, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s legacy reminds us that sustainable progress depends on visionary leadership, accountable governance and a strong commitment to unity.




History teaches us that great nations are built when leaders choose collaboration over confrontation. The coalition of...
02/07/2026

History teaches us that great nations are built when leaders choose collaboration over confrontation. The coalition of 1959 remains a timeless lesson that Nigeria’s greatest strength lies not in uniformity, but in the ability of its diverse people to find common ground in pursuit of a shared future.

Following the 1959 Federal elections, where no single party secured an outright majority, instead of allowing political rivalry to divide the country, leaders of the Northern People’s congress (NPC) and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC) chose dialogue, compromise and national Interest over partisan differences. Their decision to form a coalition government laid the foundation for Nigeria’s First republic, with Sir Abubakar tafawa Balewa serving as the Prime Minister and later on Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first President.

Despite their regional, religious, political, ideological, and cultural differences, leader of that era understood that unity is the bedrock to stability and progress in Nigeria, hence the need for cooperation.

The picture below captures Leaders from NPC and NCNC meeting to form a coalition government. In the picture are Abba Habib, Dikwa Aliyu, Makaman Bida, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Muhammad Ribadu, M. Okpara and Nnamdi Azikiwe.




Despite ethnic, regional, religious and ideological differences, Leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolo...
25/06/2026

Despite ethnic, regional, religious and ideological differences, Leaders such as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe recognized the future of Nigeria depended on cooperation and a shared commitment to national development. They envisioned a nation built on unity, justice, mutual respect and collective progress.
Today, many Nigerians wonder whether the values championed by these nationalists are still being upheld. With current challenges such as insecurity, political polarization, ethnic and religious intolerance, economic hardship and other social vices, doubt have been carved in the minds of so many well-meaning Nigerians on whether the nation is moving towards or away from the vision of the founding fathers. As citizens reflect on the country’s journey, there is a growing need to revisit the principles of patriotism, sacrifice, accountability and national unity that guided the nationalists in their pursuit of nation-building.




18/06/2026

Today, as Nigeria faces rising unemployment and economic uncertainty, leaders should know that sustainable development does not only depend on academic qualifications but also on practical skills and entrepreneurship. The vision demonstrated by leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello raises an important question: Are leaders investing enough in technical and vocational education to equip the future generation with the skills needed to thrive in a rapid changing world?
In 1957, the Late Premier of the Northern Nigeria presented a certificate of apprenticeship to a graduate of the Institute and Trade Centre Kaduna. This goes a long way in showing how leaders of that era placed importance on economic development. This moment reflects a leadership philosophy that placed immense value on technical education, vocational training, and skills acquisition as tools for economic development. At a time when Nigeria was preparing for independence, investment in human capital were seen as essential for building a productive and self-reliant society.




Nigeria is a country of immense ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. Despite political disagreements, leaders of ...
04/06/2026

Nigeria is a country of immense ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. Despite political disagreements, leaders of the first republic often recognized that the stability and progress of the nation depends on their ability to find common ground. Today, however, many Nigerians express concern that political loyalties, partisan politics and regional sentiments increasingly overshadow the collective national interest.
Despite ethnic, regional and ideological differences, Nigeria’s Nationalists understood that the pursuit for nation building required cooperation and compromise. Leaders from different parts of the country worked together through constitutional conferences, political negotiations and inter-regional alliances to advance the collective aspirations of Nigerians. While they often disagree on matters of policy and governance, they generally recognized that national unity, political stability and economic development were objectives that transcended individual, ethnic or regional interests. Their willingness to find common ground played a significant role in laying the foundation for National development.
The current realities facing the country ranging from rising insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment and social tensions require cooperation across political, ethnic and religious lines. While disagreement is part of democracy, the real test of leadership is the ability to place the welfare of the citizens above political competition.




Despite political, cultural and religious differences, Nigeria’s early leaders shared a common Vision for national gro...
21/05/2026

Despite political, cultural and religious differences, Nigeria’s early leaders shared a common Vision for national growth through education and institution building. In 1954, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello of blessed memories are seen together in the newly opened Institution of Administration in Zaria, which is a powerful reminder that unity is key to national development.

At a time when the nation was preparing for self-governance, they understood that quality education, competent leadership, and strong institutions were essentials for progress. Their unity in supporting learning and development showed that nation-building succeeds when leaders place collective interest above personal or regional differences.

This historic moment reminds us that unity is one of Nigeria’s greatest strengths. When people from different backgrounds work together with a shared purpose, they can build lasting systems that benefit generations to come.




14/05/2026

When Nigeria was still finding its footing as an emerging nation, Sir Ahmadu Bello was already running not away from responsibility, but toward it. From “1954 to 1966”, he governed the largest and most populous region in Nigeria with a rare combination of traditional wisdom and modern vision.
He wasn't just a politician. He was a builder, a unifier, and a strategist who understood that true power doesn't come from speeches, it comes from institutions that outlive you.
While others talked, the Sardauna constructed;
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria- A world-class institution that has since produced presidents, ministers, professors, engineers, doctors, and some of Africa's brightest minds. He didn't just want an educated elite he wanted an educated North.
Bank of the North- Because he understood that economic freedom begins with financial infrastructure. The North needed its own financial backbone, and he gave it one.
Northern Regional Development Corporation- A vehicle for economic growth, industrialization, and regional self-sufficiency at a time when most African leaders were still negotiating with colonial powers.
Northern People's Congress (NPC)- He didn't just participate in the politics of independence, he shaped it. As NPC leader, he ensured the North had a powerful, organized voice at the table when Nigeria's future was being written. These weren't political promises, they were permanent structures and many of them still stand today.
Sir Ahmadu Bello was truly extraordinary because he had the ability to hold two worlds together without breaking either.
On one hand, he was the Sardauna of Sokoto which is deeply rooted in the cultural, religious, and royal traditions of the North. He commanded reverence not just as a politician, but as a custodian of history and heritage. And on the other hand, he was a modern statesman, fluent in the language of governance, development policy, international diplomacy, and nation-building.
He never saw tradition as a barrier to progress. Instead, he used the respect his heritage commanded to drive the reforms his region needed.
That is a kind of political genius that is almost extinct today.
Sir Ahmadu Bello represents something Nigerians are desperately hungry for right now: *a leader who actually built things. A leader who saw beyond his own tenure. A leader who put the people first.




The era of Sir Ahmadu Bello was shaped by key elections that laid the foundation for modern Nigeria. From the 1951 and...
30/04/2026

The era of Sir Ahmadu Bello was shaped by key elections that laid the foundation for modern Nigeria. From the 1951 and 1954 regional elections that strengthened self-governance in Northern Nigeria, to the historic 1959 federal election that paved way for independence, these moments reflected his strong political influence and nation-building vision. Even the contentious 1964 election remained a defining chapter of the First Republic.
Through these elections, Sir Ahmadu Bello played a central role in shaping Northern Nigeria’s political direction and Nigeria’s democratic journey.

As we reflect on the pre and post-colonial political era, it is important to ask what values and leadership qualities have been lost in the contemporary political activities of Nigeria and what lessons should Northern politicians adopt from Nigeria’s early Nationalists?

Now that political campaigning has begun, this reflection becomes even more relevant. It is a crucial time for citizens to pay attention, stay informed and actively participate in the democratic process. Civic engagement is not just a duty but a responsibility, one that ensures accountability, credible leadership and a stronger Nigeria.




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No 1 Rabah Road
Kaduna
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