1. Date of Independence: Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.
2. First Prime Minister: Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became Nigeria’s first Prime Minister following independence.
3. Queen Elizabeth II: After independence, Queen Elizabeth II remained the constitutional monarch of Nigeria until it became a republic in 1963.
4. Federal Republic Status: On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a republic, replacing the monarchy with a president.
5. First President: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became Nigeria’s first ceremonial president when the country became a republic.
6. Flag Symbolism: The Nigerian flag, designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, was first hoisted on Independence Day. The green represents agriculture, and the white symbolizes peace and unity.
7. British Colonial Rule: Nigeria had been under British control for approximately 60 years before gaining independence.
8. Governor-General: Sir James Robertson was the last British Governor-General of Nigeria before independence.
9. Constitutional Change: The 1960 Constitution granted Nigeria a federal system with three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern.
10. Lagos as Capital: Lagos was the capital of Nigeria at independence before Abuja was designated as the new capital in 1991.
11. UN Membership: Nigeria became a member of the United Nations shortly after gaining independence, in October 1960.
12. Commonwealth of Nations: Upon independence, Nigeria also became a member of the Commonwealth, a political association of former British colonies.
13. First Independence Day Speech: In his first independence speech, Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa expressed optimism for the nation’s future and called for unity among the various ethnic groups.
14. No Armed Struggle: Nigeria’s independence was achieved through peaceful negotiation, unlike many African countries that fought for freedom.
15. Diverse Ethnic Groups: At independence, Nigeria was home to over 250 ethnic groups, the largest being the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo, which played a significant role in the politics of post-independence Nigeria.
