Nigerian nationalism most serious threat to the Nigerian unity since Nigeria became independent in 1960, as other ethnic groups threatened that they too would also seek secession should Biafra successfully secede. Nigeria responded to the separatist threat with a military campaign against the Biafran government, resulting in the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. The war ended with the defeat of the Biafran separatists. Between one and three million Nigerians died in the war. The 19th century did not witness the emergence of any political organization that could help in airing the grievances and expressing the aspirations of Nigerians on a
Federation of Nigeria Federation of Nigeria The Federation of Nigeria was a predecessor to modern-day Nigeria. It existed between 1 October 1960 and 1 October 1963. When British rule ended in 1960, the Nigeria Independence Act 1960 transformed the Federation of Nigeria into an independent sovereign state. The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state as the Queen of Nigeria as well as Queen of the United Kingdom and other independent states. Her constitutional roles in Nigeria were delegated to the Governor-General of Nigeria. Two people held the office of governor-general: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa held office as prime minister (and head of