Federation of Nigeria
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2017) |
Federation of Nigeria | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960–1963 | |||||||||
| Motto: "Unity and Faith" | |||||||||
| Anthem: Nigeria, We Hail Thee | |||||||||
.svg) | |||||||||
| Capital | Lagos | ||||||||
| Government | Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
| Queen | |||||||||
• 1954–1963 | Elizabeth II | ||||||||
| Governor-General | |||||||||
• 1955-1960 | Sir James Wilson Robertson | ||||||||
• 1960–1963 | Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1960–1963 | Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | ||||||||
| Legislature | Parliament[1] | ||||||||
• Upper house | Senate | ||||||||
• Lower house | House of Representatives | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
• Independence | 1 October 1960 | ||||||||
• Republic | 1 October 1963 | ||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
| 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi) | |||||||||
| Currency | Nigerian pound | ||||||||
| |||||||||
.svg)
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[2] made the federation an independent sovereign state. Elizabeth II remained head of state as the Queen of Nigeria, as well as other independent states. Her constitutional roles in Nigeria were exercisable by the Governor-General of Nigeria. Two people held the office of governor-general:
- Sir James Wilson Robertson October 1960 - 16 November 1960
- Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe 16 November 1960 – 1 October 1963
Sir 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, as a ceremonial post under the 1963 constitution.
Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956 (28 January–16 February).
See also
References
- ^ "The Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria (1960)" (PDF). Worldstatemen.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ Nigeria Independence Act 1960, 8 & 9 Eliz. 2 c.55
- ^ Nigeria Republic Act 1963, c. 57
External links
- "Nigeria: Polity Style: 1954-2017". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Nigeria: Governors-General: 1954-1963". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "Nigeria: Heads of State: 1960-1963". Archontology.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- Ben Cahoon. "Nigeria". Worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "COMMONWEALTH PRIME MINISTERS' CONFERENCE (Hansard, 4 July 1960)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "NIGERIA (REPUBLIC) BILL (Hansard, 17 December 1963)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- "ROYAL COMMISSION (Hansard, 18 December 1963)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. 1963-12-18. Retrieved 2017-01-26.