Nigerian regions 1954-67 (original) (raw)
Note: The regions gained self-rule on 1 Oct 1954. Military governors were installed after the coup of 15 Jan 1966. During the abolition of federalism 24 May - 31 Aug 1966, the regions were redesignated "groups of provinces," and the governors continued in office under the new designations. On 27 May 1967 the regions were dissolved and 12 states created instead.
Eastern
Governors 1 Oct 1954 - Nov 1956 Sir Clement Pleass (b. 1901 - d. 1988) 1956 - May 1960 Sir Robert Stapledon (b. 1909 - d. 1975) 15 Dec 1960 - 16 Jan 1966 Sir Francis Ibiam (b. 1906 - d. 1995) 19 Jan 1966 - May 1967 Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (b. 1933 - d. 2011)
Premiers 1 Oct 1954 - 19 Dec 1959 Nnamdi Azikiwe (b. 1904 - d. 1996) 19 Dec 1959 - 16 Jan 1966 Michael Okpara (b. 1920 - d. 1984)
Midwest
8 Aug 1963 Midwest Region created from part of Western Region 9 Aug 1967 occupied by Biafra 19 Sep 1967 Republic of Benin declared 20 Sep 1967 retaken by Nigeria
Administrator 12 Aug 1963 - 8 Feb 1964 Dennis Osadebay (b. 1911 - d. 1994) Governors 8 Feb 1964 - 16 Jan 1966 Jereton Mariere (b. 1906 - d. 1971) 19 Jan 1966 - 9 Aug 1967 David Ejoor (b. 1932 - d. 2019) 17 Aug 1967 - 20 Sep 1967 Albert Nwazu Okonkwo (Biafran military administrator; 19-20 Sep 1967 governor of "Republic of Benin")
Premier 8 Feb 1964 - 16 Jan 1966 Dennis Osadebay (s.a.)
Northern
Governors 1 Oct 1954 - 2 Dec 1957 Sir Bryan Sharwood-Smith (b. 1899 - d. 1983) 2 Dec 1957 - 1962 Sir Gawain Bell (b. 1909 - d. 1995) 1962 - 16 Jan 1966 Alhaji Sir Kashim Ibrahim (b. 1910 - d. 1990) 19 Jan 1966 - 1967 Hassan Usman Katsina (b. 1933 - d. 1995)
Premier 1 Oct 1954 - 15 Jan 1966 Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (from 1 Jan 1959, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello) (b. 1909 - d. 1966)
Western
Governors 1 Oct 1954 - Jul 1960 Sir John Rankine (b. 1907 - d. 1987) Jul 1960 - Dec 1962 Sir Adesoji Aderemi (b. 1889 - d. 1980) Dec 1962 - 16 Jan 1966 Joseph Odeleye Fadahunsi (from 20 Mar 1963, Sir Joseph Odeleye Fadahunsi) (b. 1901 - d. 1986) 19 Jan 1966 - 29 Jul 1966 Adekunle Fajuyi (b. 1926 - d. 1966) Aug 1966 - 1967 Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (b. 1928 - d. 2017)
Premiers 1 Oct 1954 - 15 Dec 1959 Obafemi Awolowo (b. 1909 - d. 1987) 15 Dec 1959 - 21 May 1962 Samuel Akintola (1st time) (b. 1910 - d. 1966) 21 May 1962 - 29 May 1962 Alhaji Dauda Soroye Adegbenro (b. 1909 - d. 1975) 29 May 1962 - Dec 1962 M.A. Majekodunmi (administrator) (b. 1916 - d. 2012) 1 Jan 1963 - 15 Jan 1966 Samuel Akintola (2nd time) (s.a.)