It was formed in 1944 by Nigerian young nationalists like Dr. Namdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macauly. The latter became its president and the former its secretary general.

It was a mass political party by origin. It embraced all Nigerian nationalists from the Eastern, Western and Northern regions.

It established good links with trade unions, student's clubs and cultural associations throughout Nigeria.

However, it soon showed signs of ethnicism which led to the formation of the AG and NPC.

The NCNC fought for Nigeria's independence.

The NCNC founded a news paper called the "West African Pilot" and articulated nationalistic views to the masses.

The NCNC also pointed oat the evils of colonialism to Nigerians e.g exploitation of labour, over-taxation, mineral exploitation etc.,

The NCNC pressurised Britain to introduce constitutional and political changes in Nigeria, and to Africanize Nigeria's politics in preparation for independence.

It pointed out the loopholes of the Richards constitution of 1946 which had just been imposed but not discussed.

The NCNC sent a delegation to London in 1947 to raise complaints about the Richards constitution. It was led by Dr. Azikiwe.

It made a political tour of all Nigeria collecting funds for the above journey and in the process reached out to the masses whom they explained the need for independence.

It supported the workers riots between 1948-1950.

It advocated for a united rather than a tribally divided Nigeria.

It participated in the 1957/58 constitutional debates in London at which Nigeria's independence was scheduled for October 1960.

However the NCNC tended to segregate against the non-Ibo in its top leadership.

It was also arrogant calling the Ibo the "God sent leaders" of Nigeria.

It failed to convince the British colonial secretary Lyttelton to scrap off the Richards constitution with immediate effect.