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.

For the autonomous British territory named Federation of Nigeria from 1954 to 1960, see Colonial Nigeria.
Federation of Nigeria

1960–1963
Motto: "Unity and Faith"
CapitalLagos
Governmentconstitutional monarchy from 1960
Queen 
• 1954–1963
Elizabeth II
Governor-General 
• 1955-1960
Sir James Wilson Robertson
• 1960–1963
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Prime Minister 
• 1960–1963
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
LegislatureParliament[1]
• Upper house
Senate
• Lower house
House of Representatives
Historical eraCold War
• Independence
1 October 1960
• Republic
1 October 1963
Area
923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi)
CurrencyNigerian pound
ISO 3166 codeNG
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
First Nigerian Republic

British rule of Colonial Nigeria ended in 1960, when the Nigeria Independence Act 1960[2] 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 (and head of government).

The Federal Republic of Nigeria came into existence on 1 October 1963.[3] 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:

  • 1956 (28 January–16 February)
  • 2003 (3–6 December)

See also

References
  1. "The Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria (1960)" (PDF). Worldstatemen.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  2. Nigeria Independence Act 1960, 8 & 9 Eliz. 2 c.55
  3. Nigeria Republic Act 1963, c. 57
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