At the time, the book was the second Nigerian authored historical study published by the Oxford University Press, after Kenneth Dike's, 'Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta'.
[4] In the early years of Nigeria's independence, while serving in the administration of Awolowo, he advocated an optimistic but cautious approach to Pan-Africanism, believing that the freedom the country fought for and gained with independence should be used early on by the government and many others to nurture the individual African personalities that reside within the country especially in matters affecting health, literacy and eliminating poverty.
However, he supported the promotion of regional organizations for economic and social aims and the view of Pan-Africanism as described by Anthony Enahoro, that it is a consummation devoutly to be wished.
He was later stabbed by Kayode Adams, a student radical who believed Biobaku's appointment was unfair and ethnically motivated.
He also sought a re-appraisal of the country's political structure, favoring a four tier system of governance, made up of federal, regional, state and local administrations.