See also: Nigerian traditional rulers
Monarchy of Nigeria | |
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Queen Elizabeth II (left) being greeted by Saidu Samaila Sambawa (centre), Nigeria 2003
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Details | |
Style | Her Majesty |
First monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Last monarch | Queen Elizabeth II |
Formation | 1 January 1960 |
Abolition | 1 October 1963 |
From 1960 to 1963, Nigeria was an independent constitutional monarchy. It shared the Sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Nigeria. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701.
The monarchy was created by the Nigeria Independence Act 1960 which transformed the Federation of Nigeria into an independent sovereign state.
The monarchy was abolished by the adoption of a new constitution in 1963, when Nigeria became a republic within the Commonwealth, with the President of Nigeria as head of state.
Monarch | |||||||
Portrait | Name | Birth | Death | Monarch from | Monarch until | Consort | Heir apparent |
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Queen Elizabeth II | 21 April 1926 | 1 October 1960 | 1 October 1963 | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Charles, Prince of Wales |
Titles |
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Elizabeth II 1 October 1960 – 1 June 1961 By the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith 1 June 1961 – 1 October 1963 By the Grace of God Queen of Nigeria and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth |
Visits
- 1956 (28 January–16 February): as Queen of the United Kingdom
- 2003 (3–6 December): as Head of the Commonwealth