List of governors and governors-general of Nigeria Facts for Kids

The Governor-General of Nigeria was an important leader in Nigeria's history. This person was like a special representative for the monarch of the United Kingdom (the King or Queen of Britain) in Colonial Nigeria from 1954 to 1960. After Nigeria became independent in 1960, the Governor-General then represented the Nigerian Queen, who was also the British monarch.

This important job was created on October 1, 1954. That's when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria became an independent country called the Federation of Nigeria within the British Empire. After Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, the Governor-General continued to represent the Nigerian monarch. This role existed until 1963, when Nigeria decided to stop having a monarch and became a republic (a country governed by elected officials).

This article lists the Governors and Governors-General who led Nigeria during its time as a British territory and later as an independent country with a monarch.

Flag of the governor-general of Nigeria (1914–1952)

Flag of Nigeria (1914–1952)

Governor-General of Nigeria (1914–1919)
Governors of Nigeria (1919–1954)
Governors-General of Nigeria (1954–1963)
Flag of the Governor-General
See also

Governor-General of Nigeria (1914–1919)

This section lists the first Governor-General of Nigeria, who served when different parts of Nigeria were brought together under one rule.

Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Sovereign
Sir Frederick Lugard	Sir Frederick Lugard (1858–1945)	1 January 1914	8 August 1919	George V

Governors of Nigeria (1919–1954)

After the first Governor-General, the leaders of Nigeria were called Governors. They continued to represent the British monarch until 1954.

Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Sovereign
Sir Hugh Clifford	Sir Hugh Clifford (1866–1941)	8 August 1919	13 November 1925	George V
	Sir Graeme Thomson (1877–1933)	13 November 1925	17 June 1931	George V
	Sir Donald Cameron (1872–1948)	17 June 1931	1 November 1935	George V
	Sir Bernard Bourdillon (1883–1948)	1 November 1935	1 July 1940	George V Edward VIII George VI
Flag of Nigeria (1914–1952)	Sir John Evelyn Shuckburgh (1877–1953)	1 July 1940	1942	George VI
Sir Alan Burns	Sir Alan Burns (1887–1980)	1942	18 Dec 1943	George VI
	Sir Arthur Richards (1885–1978)	18 Dec 1943	5 February 1948	George VI
Sir John Macpherson	Sir John Macpherson (1898–1971)	5 February 1948	1 October 1954	George VI Elizabeth II

Governors-General of Nigeria (1954–1963)

Here is a list of the people who served as Governor-General of Nigeria from 1954 until the country became a republic in 1963.

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Time in office			Monarch (Reign)
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Duration	Monarch (Reign)
Governors-General representing the monarch of the United Kingdom
1	Sir John Macpherson	Sir John Stuart Macpherson (1898–1971)	1 October 1954	15 June 1955	8 months, 14 days	Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (1954–1960)
2		Sir James Wilson Robertson (1899–1983)	15 June 1955	1 October 1960	5 years, 3 months, 16 days	Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (1954–1960)
Governors-General representing the monarch of Nigeria
(2)		Sir James Wilson Robertson (1899–1983)	1 October 1960	16 November 1960	1 month, 16 days	Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (1960–1963)
3	Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe	Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1904–1996)	16 November 1960	1 October 1963	2 years, 10 months, 16 days	Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (1960–1963)