Macaulay, Herbert Samuel Heelas (1864–1946)

Nigerian surveyor and leader of Nigeria's first political party. In 1893 he joined the colonial service, experiencing injustice at first hand when he was paid less than his British counterparts. Resigning from the service in 1899, he launched a campaign against colonial rule. In 1912 he was imprisoned for alleged embezzlement of public funds. In 1920 he helped Chief Oluwa obtain adequate compensation for land acquired by the government. In 1922 he founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party, Nigeria's first political party. In 1944 he became the first national president of the National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons. He died on a campaign tour in 1946.

He was the first Nigerian to be sponsored by the colonial government to study abroad.