| Conventional Long Name: | Federation of Nigeria |
| Common Name: | Nigeria |
| Era: | Cold War |
| Status: | British protectorate (1954–1960) Sovereign state (1960–1963) |
| Government Type: | Federation as British protectorate (1954–1960) Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy (1960–1963) |
| Year Start: | 1954 |
| Event1: | Independence |
| Date Event1: | 1 October 1960 |
| Event End: | Republican constitution |
| Date End: | 1 October |
| Year End: | 1963 |
| P1: | Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria |
| Flag P1: | Flag of Nigeria (1914–1952).svg |
| S1: | First Nigerian Republic |
| Flag S1: | Flag of Nigeria.svg |
| Flag: | Flag of Nigeria |
| Flag Type: | Flag (1960–1963) |
| Symbol: | Coat of Arms of Nigeria |
| Capital: | Lagos |
| National Motto: | "Unity and Faith" |
| National Anthem: | God Save the Queen (until 1960) Nigeria, We Hail Thee (from 1960) |
| Currency: | Nigerian pound |
| Title Leader: | Monarch |
| Leader1: | Elizabeth II (as Queen of the United Kingdom) |
| Year Leader1: | 1954–1960 |
| Leader2: | Elizabeth II (as Queen of Nigeria) |
| Year Leader2: | 1960–1963 |
| Title Representative: | Governor-General |
| Representative1: | John Stuart Macpherson |
| Year Representative1: | 1954–1955 |
| Representative2: | James Wilson Robertson |
| Year Representative2: | 1955–1960 |
| Representative3: | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Year Representative3: | 1960–1963 |
| Title Deputy: | Prime Minister |
| Deputy1: | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa |
| Year Deputy1: | 1960–1963 |
| Legislature: | Parliament[1] |
| House1: | Senate |
| Type House1: | Upper house |
| Type House2: | Lower house |
| Iso3166code: | omit |
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.
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:
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).