Federation of Nigeria


The Federation of Nigeria was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria from 1954 to 1963. It was an autonomous region until independence on 1 October 1960.
British rule of Colonial Nigeria ended in 1960, when the Nigeria Independence Act 1960 made the federation an independent sovereign state. The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state as the Queen of Nigeria as well as Queen of the United Kingdom and other independent states. Her constitutional roles in Nigeria were delegated to the Governor-General of Nigeria. Two people held the office of governor-general:
  1. Sir James Wilson Robertson October 1960 - 16 November 1960
  2. Nnamdi Azikiwe 16 November 1960 – 1 October 1963
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa held office as prime minister.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria came into existence on 1 October 1963. The monarchy was abolished and Nigeria became a republic within the Commonwealth. Following the abolition of the monarchy, former Governor-General Nnamdi Azikiwe became President of Nigeria.
Elizabeth II visited Nigeria: