Page "History of the Solomon Islands" Paragraph 16

Even as late as 1970, the British Protectorate did not envisage independence for Solomon Islands in the foreseeable future but shortly thereafter, the financial costs of supporting the Protectorate became more trying, as the world economy was hit by the first oil price shock of 1973.

The imminent independence of Papua New Guinea ( in 1975 ) was also thought to have influenced the Protectorate's administrators, however, outside of a very small educated elite in Honiara, there was little in the way of an indigenous independence movement in Solomons.

Nonetheless, self-government was achieved in January 1976 and after July 1976, Sir Peter Kenilorea became the Chief Minister who would lead the country to independence.

This was achieved on 7 July 1978 and Kenilorea automatically became the country's first Prime Minister.