Ibadan Lecture Honours SL Akintola, 60 Years On

Sixty years after the bloody military coup that claimed the life of Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the former Premier of the old Western Region was remembered with tributes, reflections, and renewed debate on leadership and history at a public lecture organised by the SL Akintola Foundation in Ibadan.

The event, held on Thursday, drew scholars, political leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the public who gathered to reassess Akintola’s legacy and the lessons from one of Nigeria’s most defining political moments. Speaker after speaker described Akintola as a visionary leader whose political choices, though controversial in his lifetime, continue to shape conversations on federalism, regional autonomy, and national unity.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion said the lecture was not just an act of remembrance but a call to confront history honestly. According to him, Nigeria’s present challenges make it necessary to revisit the past, not to reopen old wounds, but to extract lessons that can guide current and future leaders.

Lecturers at the event highlighted Akintola’s role in the development of the Western Region, pointing to his emphasis on regional strength, economic self-reliance, and political courage. They argued that many of the tensions that led to the 1966 coup were rooted in unresolved structural issues that still confront the Nigerian state today.

Several speakers also urged Nigerians, especially younger generations, to look beyond simplified narratives of the First Republic and engage with its complexities. They noted that Akintola’s political life reflects the cost of deep divisions, intolerance, and the failure of dialogue in a fragile democracy.

The public lecture featured goodwill messages, scholarly presentations, and a question-and-answer session that allowed participants to interrogate Akintola’s policies and the broader implications of the coup that ended civilian rule. The atmosphere was reflective but respectful, marked by a clear effort to balance praise with critical assessment.

As the programme drew to a close, participants agreed that remembering Akintola was ultimately about remembering Nigeria itself. Six decades on, the consensus was clear: history still speaks, and its lessons remain relevant. For many in attendance, the accolades poured on the late sage were a reminder that leadership is often judged more fairly with time, and that nations ignore their past at their own peril.