On 1 October 1960, Nigeria emerged as a sovereign state following decades of British colonial administration. Independence was achieved under a constitutional arrangement that retained the British monarch as Head of State, making Nigeria a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm. Queen Elizabeth II assumed the distinct legal title of Queen of Nigeria, exercising her authority exclusively within Nigerian constitutional institutions rather than British ones.
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This arrangement reflected a deliberate transitional strategy rather than continued colonial control. British governmental authority ended at independence, and Nigeria became fully sovereign under international law.
The constitutional framework inherited at independence was the product of gradual political development. The territories known as Northern Nigeria, Southern Nigeria, and the Colony of Lagos had been amalgamated in 1914, creating a single administrative entity without political integration. From the interwar period onward, Nigerian political consciousness expanded through elite activism and organised movements, notably those led by Herbert Macaulay and the Nigerian Youth Movement.
After the Second World War, constitutional reform accelerated. The Richards Constitution of 1946 introduced regionalism, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 expanded African participation through consultation, and the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 formalised Nigeria’s federal structure. These reforms laid the institutional foundation for self-government and independence.
Independence and the Establishment of the Monarchy
Nigeria’s transition to independence followed federal elections in 1959, which produced a coalition government led by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister. The Nigeria Independence Act 1960 formally terminated British sovereignty and recognised Nigeria as a fully independent state within the Commonwealth.
Independence ceremonies were held in Lagos, then the federal capital. Princess Alexandra of Kent attended as the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting continuity within the Commonwealth rather than imperial authority. On 5 October 1960, Nigeria’s first federal parliament was formally opened.
Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as President of the Senate at independence, was appointed Governor-General on 16 November 1960, becoming the Queen’s representative in Nigeria. Under this arrangement, sovereignty resided in the Nigerian state, while executive authority was exercised constitutionally in the name of the Crown on the advice of Nigerian ministers.
Constitutional Role of the Crown
The Queen’s constitutional role was defined entirely by Nigerian law and convention. Executive authority was vested in the Crown but exercised by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The Governor-General performed ceremonial and constitutional duties, including granting Royal Assent to legislation, appointing ministers, and summoning or dissolving Parliament, all strictly in accordance with ministerial advice.
The judiciary operated within the common law tradition, with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council serving as the highest appellate court. Criminal prosecutions continued in the name of the Crown, reflecting legal continuity rather than active royal intervention.
In foreign affairs, treaties and diplomatic appointments were conducted in the Queen’s name but under the exclusive control of Nigerian authorities. The monarchy thus functioned as a constitutional framework rather than a governing power.
Federal Dimensions of the Monarchy
Nigeria’s monarchy operated within a federal system. The Queen was recognised as Head of State at the federal level, while regional governments functioned through Governors appointed on the advice of regional premiers. These regional Governors exercised constitutional authority within their respective regions but remained subordinate to the federal constitutional order.
The Royal Style and Titles Act of 1961 formally recognised the Queen’s Nigerian title, affirming Nigeria’s equality with other Commonwealth realms and underscoring its sovereignty.
Military and Ceremonial Functions
The Crown occupied a symbolic position within Nigeria’s armed forces. Although authority was formally vested in the Crown, operational command and control rested entirely with Nigerian institutions and officials. Military oaths, honours, and ceremonial practices reflected inherited British traditions adapted to Nigerian circumstances.
The monarchy also played a role in state ceremonial life, contributing to the early development of national symbols and constitutional rituals during Nigeria’s formative years.
Transition to a Republic
By the early 1960s, Nigerian political leaders increasingly favoured republican status. This shift reflected a desire to consolidate national identity and remove remaining colonial symbolism. Constitutional negotiations culminated in the adoption of a republican constitution, which came into effect on 1 October 1963.
Nigeria became the Federal Republic of Nigeria, abolishing the monarchy. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first President, serving as ceremonial Head of State, while Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa continued as Prime Minister. Nigeria remained within the Commonwealth as a republic.
The transition was peaceful and constitutional, marking the final stage of Nigeria’s decolonisation.
Historical Significance and Legacy
The brief period of constitutional monarchy provided institutional continuity during Nigeria’s early independence. Parliamentary government, federalism, judicial practice, and diplomatic conventions were stabilised within this framework.
Although short-lived, the monarchy’s significance lies in its transitional function. It enabled Nigeria to move from colonial rule to republican sovereignty without an abrupt constitutional rupture.
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Author’s Note
Nigeria’s constitutional monarchy between 1960 and 1963 represented a carefully negotiated phase in the country’s postcolonial evolution. The Crown functioned as a symbolic Head of State within a Nigerian-controlled constitutional order. Its abolition marked the completion of Nigeria’s transition to full republican sovereignty while preserving institutional continuity.
References
Nwabueze, B. O. (1982). A Constitutional History of Nigeria. London: C. Hurst & Co.
Falola, T., & Heaton, M. M. (2008). A History of Nigeria. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Murphy, P. (2013). Monarchy and the End of Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
