Federation of Nigeria (commonwealth realm)

The Federation of Nigeria, also known as the Dominion of Nigeria or simply as Nigeria, was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

and an independent state that existed between 15 October 1960 and 1st October 1963.
When British rule ended in 1960, the Nigerian Federation was given independence-as a commonwealth realm. The Republic of Nigeria came into existence on 1st October 1963.the commonwealth phase, the British monarch remained head of state

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

of Nigeria, and was represented in Nigeria by a governor-general

Governor-General

A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...

. The following held the office in Nigeria during the commonwealth realm period:

Sir James Wilson Robertson October 1960 - 16 November 1960
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe November 16, 1960 – October 1, 1963

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Originally a trained teacher, he became a vocal leader for Northern interest as one of the few educated Nigerians of his time...

held office as prime minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

(and head of government

Head of government

Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...

) of the Federation of Nigeria during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, former Governor General Nnamdi Azikiwe

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe , usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe and popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism who became the first President of Nigeria after Nigeria secured its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960; holding the...

became President of Nigeria.

See also