Federation of Nigeria

The Federation of Nigeria was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria from 1954 to 1963. It was a British protectorate until its independence on 1 October 1960.

Federation of Nigeria
1954–1963
Flag (1960–1963) Coat of arms (1960–1963)
Motto: "Unity and Faith"
Anthem: God Save the Queen (until 1960) Nigeria, We Hail Thee (from 1960)
Status	British protectorate (1954–1960) Sovereign state (1960–1963)
Capital	Lagos
Government	Federation as British protectorate (1954–1960) Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy (1960–1963)
Monarch
• 1954–1960	Elizabeth II (as Queen of the United Kingdom)
• 1960–1963	Elizabeth II (as Queen of Nigeria)
Governor-General
• 1954–1955	John Stuart Macpherson
• 1955–1960	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
• Established	1954
• Independence	1 October 1960
• Republican constitution	1 October 1963
Currency	Nigerian pound
Preceded by Succeeded by Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria First Nigerian Republic

Nigerian 1-shilling coin, 1959

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 dominions and commonwealth realms. Her constitutional roles in Nigeria were exercisable by the Governor-General of Nigeria. Three people held the office of governor-general during the whole existence of the Federation of Nigeria:

1. Sir John Stuart Macpherson 1954 – 15 June 1955
2. Sir James Wilson Robertson 15 June 1955 – 16 November 1960
3. 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).

Stamps of the Federation

•  
  Coronation stamp, 1953
•  
  Depicting the groundnuts harvest, 1953
•  
  Depicting tin mining in Nigeria, 1953
•  
  Overprinted to mark the Queen's visit in 1956
•  
  Commemorating the centenary of the city of Victoria, 1958

See also

• Federalism in Nigeria

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

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". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 4 July 1960. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
• "NIGERIA (REPUBLIC) BILL". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 17 December 1963. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
• "ROYAL COMMISSION (Hansard, 18 December 1963)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 1963-12-18. Retrieved 2017-01-26.