Republic of Benin (1967)

Not to be confused with the current Republic of Benin, contemporarily known as the Republic of Dahomey, or the Kingdom of Benin from the Benin City area.

Republic of Benin
Puppet state of Biafra
← 1967 →
Flag
Motto Unity and Strength
Green: Republic of Benin, a one-day existent puppet state of Biafra, which is depicted in light green.
Capital	Benin City
Language(s)	English (official), Edo, Igbo, Ijaw, Urhobo
Government	Republic
Governor	Albert Nwazu Okonkwo
Historical era	Nigerian Civil War
- Established	September 19, 1967
- Disestablished	September 20, 1967
Population
- 1967 est.	3,000,000
Currency	Biafran pound, Nigerian pound

The short-lived Republic of Benin, in Nigeria's coastal Bight of Benin, was named after its capital Benin City. It was known as Mid-Western state in Nigeria until August 1967 when it was occupied by Biafra as its forces advanced towards Lagos. Albert Nwazu Okonkwo, a Mid-Western Igbo medical officer, was installed by Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu as Biafran Military Administrator of the territory (17 August 1967 - 19 September 1967). As Nigerian forces were to retake the Mid-West, the Republic of Benin was unilaterally declared at 07:00 on 19 September 1967. Okonkwo also ruled it as "Governor".

The republic lasted a little more than a day. On 20 September 1967, it was terminated as Nigerian forces recaptured the province. It was not recognised, not even by its "parent" country, Biafra, mainly because of the brevity of its existence. Most of the government officials, as well some Igbo civilians, followed Biafran troops across the Niger River.

See also

• Biafra
• Puppet state

Sources

• Independence Declaration of the "Republic of Benin"
• WorldStatesmen- Nigeria - shows its flag