Rulers of Regions Of Nigeria (1954-67)
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.
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Eastern Governors
1 Oct 1954 - 1956 Sir Clement Pleass (b. 1901 - d. 1988)
1956 - Oct 1960 Sir Robert Stapledon (b. 1909 - d. 1975)
21 Oct 1960 - 16 Jan 1966 Akanu Ibiam (b. 1906 - d. 1995)
19 Jan 1966 - 1967 Chukwuemeka
Odumegwu Ojukwu (b. 1933)
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Premiers
1 Oct 1954 - Dec 1959 Nnamdi Azikiwe (b. 1904 - d. 1996)
Jan 1960 - 16 Jan 1966 Michael Okpara (b. 1920 - d. 1984)
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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. ... - d. 1971)
19 Jan 1966 - 9 Aug 1967 David Ejoor (b. 1932)
17 Aug 1967 - 20 Sep 1967 Albert Nwazu Okonkwo
(Biafran military administrator;
19-20 Sep 1967 governor of "Republic of Benin")
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Premier
8 Feb 1964 - 16 Jan 1966 Dennis Osadebay (s.a.)
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Northern
Governors
1 Oct 1954 - 2 Dec 1957 Sir Bryan Sharwood-Smith (b. 1899 - d. 1983)
2 Dec 1957 - 1962 Sir Gawain Westray 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)
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Premier
1 Oct 1954 - 15 Jan 1966 Alhaji Ahmadu Bello (from 1959,
Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello) (b. 1909 - d. 1966)
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Western
Governors
1 Oct 1954 - Jul 1960 Sir John Dalzell Rankine (b. 1907 - d. 1987)
Jul 1960 - Dec 1962 Sir Adesoji Aderemi (b. 1889 - d. 1980)
Dec 1962 - 16 Jan 1966 Joseph Odeleye Fadahunsi
19 Jan 1966 - 29 Jul 1966 Adekunle Fajuyi (b. 1926 - d. 1966)
Aug 1966 - 1967 Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (b. 1928)
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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
29 May 1962 - Dec 1962 M.A. Majekodunmi (administrator) (b. 1916)
1 Jan 1963 - 15 Jan 1966 Samuel Akintola (2nd time) (s.a.)