Nigeria@66: 10 Things About Nigeria’s Independence You Probably Didn’t Learn in School

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By Victor Olubiye
Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2026, but many details about how the country became independent are often reduced to a few familiar names and the lowering of the Union Jack.

Nigeria became independent from Britain on October 1, 1960, under a parliamentary system of government. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister, while Nnamdi Azikiwe became Governor-General.

Beyond the date and the celebrations, there are other details about Nigeria's independence that are less commonly discussed.

Here are 10 of them.

1. Nigeria did not become a republic on October 1, 1960

Independence and becoming a republic were two different events.

Nigeria became independent on October 1, 1960, but remained a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth. The Queen was still the head of state, represented in Nigeria by the Governor-General.

Nigeria became a republic in October 1963, when Nnamdi Azikiwe became the country's first President.


2. Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister, not President

Nigeria's political system at independence was different from the presidential system Nigerians know today.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first Prime Minister of independent Nigeria. He had already served as Prime Minister before independence and retained the position after October 1, 1960.

The State House's record of past Nigerian leaders lists Balewa as Prime Minister from October 1, 1960, to January 15, 1966.

3. Nnamdi Azikiwe was not Nigeria's first President

The name Nnamdi Azikiwe is closely associated with Nigeria's independence, but he did not become President on October 1, 1960.

At independence, Azikiwe was Governor-General. It was after Nigeria became a republic in 1963 that he became the country's first President.


4. Nigeria started independence with three regions

Nigeria did not have the 36-state structure that exists today.

At independence, the country had three main regions: the Northern Region, Western Region and Eastern Region. Each had its own constitution and considerable autonomy, while Lagos was the Federal Territory.

The Mid-Western Region was created later, in 1963.


5. Lagos was Nigeria's capital at independence

Abuja was not Nigeria's capital when the country became independent.

Lagos served as the Federal capital. The decision to move the Federal capital from Lagos to a new location in the centre of the country came much later, with the Federal Capital Territory created in 1976.

The State House says the military government of Murtala Mohammed took the decision in 1976 to relocate the Federal Capital from Lagos.


6. Nigeria's first independence government operated a parliamentary system

The system of government in 1960 was different from the presidential system Nigeria operates today.

The 1960 Independence Constitution established a federal system with an elected Prime Minister and a ceremonial head of state. Executive authority was divided between the head of state and Prime Minister under the Westminster-style arrangement.

This means the political structure Nigerians associate with today's Presidency was not the system in place when the country became independent.


7. Nigeria's current national anthem was not the anthem at independence

Nigeria's independence was accompanied by a different national anthem from the one Nigerians sing today.

“Arise, O Compatriots” was adopted in 1978, replacing the earlier anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

In 2024, the National Assembly passed legislation restoring “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem.


8. The Nigerian flag was designed before independence

The green-white-green flag was not created randomly for the independence celebration.

A national competition was organised in 1958 to select Nigeria's flag. Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi's design was selected from nearly 3,000 entries. His original design included a red sun on the white section, but the sun was removed from the final flag.

The flag was raised as the Union Jack was lowered on October 1, 1960.


9. Nigeria became independent within the Commonwealth

Independence did not mean Nigeria immediately cut all constitutional links with Britain.

Nigeria became a sovereign independent country on October 1, 1960, while remaining within the Commonwealth. The constitutional arrangement still recognised the British monarch as head of state until Nigeria became a republic in 1963.


10. Nigeria's independence was the beginning of another political chapter, not the end of its constitutional changes

October 1, 1960 marked the end of colonial rule and the beginning of independent Nigerian government, but the country's political system continued to change.

Nigeria became a republic in 1963. The First Republic ended after the January 1966 military coup, and the country later went through periods of military rule and civilian government before returning to the current Fourth Republic in 1999.


So, when Nigerians celebrate October 1 every year, the date represents more than the lowering of the Union Jack.

It marks the point at which Nigeria became an independent sovereign state and began a political journey that has passed through different constitutions, regions, military governments, republics and democratic periods.

At 66, some of the details of that beginning remain worth revisiting.

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