Federation of Nigeria

For the autonomous British territory named Federation of Nigeria from 1954 to 1960, see Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
Federation of Nigeria
Commonwealth realm
←
1960–1963 →
Flag Coat of arms
Motto
"Unity and Faith"
Anthem
Nigeria, We Hail Thee
Royal anthem
God Save the Queen
Capital Lagos
Languages English
Hausa · Igbo · Yoruba
Government Constitutional monarchy
Queen
 •  1960–1963 Elizabeth II
Governor-General
 • 1960 Sir James Wilson Robertson
 • 1960–1963 Nnamdi Azikiwe
Prime Minister
 • 1960–1963 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
Currency Nigerian pound

The Federation of Nigeria was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria. It existed between 1 October 1960 and 1 October 1963.

When British rule ended in 1960, Nigeria Independence Act 1960[2] transformed the Federation of Nigeria into an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm. Nigeria shared the Sovereign (British monarch Elizabeth II) with the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Nigeria. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701. Two people held the office of governor-general:

  1. Sir James Wilson Robertson October 1960 - 16 November 1960
  2. Nnamdi Azikiwe November 16, 1960 – October 1, 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 did not visit the Federation of Nigeria between 1960 and 1963. She did visit:

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria (1960), http://www.worldstatesmen.org/nigeria_const1960.pdf
  2. ↑ Nigeria Independence Act 1960, 8 & 9 Eliz. 2 c.55
  3. ↑ Nigeria Republic Act 1963, c. 57

External links

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