The course enables students to undertake an in-depth study of one of the distinct features of post-independence governance in West Africa. Through detailed analyses of such major themes as independence constitutional framework, problems of economic development and national integration, performance of civilian rulers, restriction of political freedom through one-party systems, conditions predisposing to military take-overs, reaction to military rule – both domestic and foreign, nature of military and one-party rule, co-operation of civilian collaboration, and return to civilian rule – fake or genuine, the course will provide thorough understanding of all features and dimensions the phenomenon of military rule and one-party systems in independent Africa.