He was born at Onitsha in 1904 by Ibo parents. He trained as a clerk in missionary schools, went to USA For further studies in 1925 and while there, he joined students movements, witnessed American democracy, discrimination against black Negroes began writing some articles in the newspapers, came into contact with Pan Africanists etc.

He returned to Nigeria in 1934 but failed to get an immediate job. He crossed to Gold Coast where he became the editor of the "African Morning Post" newspaper.

He later returned to Nigeria in 1937 and joined the Nigerian Youth Movement which he re-organised using the experience and wealth of ideas he had got from external contacts.

He became an editor of the "West African Pilot" and "Comet" newspapers. Through his articles he called upon Nigerians to fight for their rights.

He wrote "the charter fur British West Africa" which was an interpretation of the 1941 Atlantic charter. The Charter for British West Africa called for colonial reforms and criticized Churchill and De Gaulle who had misinterpreted the Atlantic Charter by stating that it referred only to German Nazi (colonial) rule.

He wrote out a work plan for Nigeria's independence which he set for 1961, However this turned out to be a year earlier.

He opposed the Richards constitution, which was entrenching tribalism in Nigeria.

He supported the workers strikes in demanding for improved conditions of work.

He travelled to London with two other comrades to meet the British colonial secretary about the inadequate Richards constitution.

He toured the country seeking for funds to go to London and during the process, sensitised the masses about the need for self-government.

He harboured the ideas of a strong, united and no-ethnic Nigeria but in action, he promoted Ibo interests and this led to the emergence of the NPC and AG to protect the interests of Northerners and Westerners respectively.

He led his party- the NCNC into a political coalition with the NPC hoping to use it as a nucleus for a united Nigeria.

He participated in the London constitutional conference of 1957/58 which gave Nigeria a final constitution and set the date for Nigeria's independence.

On 1st October 1960, he became Nigeria's first governor-general /President.