Monarchy of Nigeria (1960–1963)

The Federation of Nigeria had superseded the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria within the British Empire on 1 October 1954. The Federation was initially a quasi-federal British colony. It became independent as a dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 October 1960 under the Parliament of the United Kingdom's Nigeria Independence Act 1960. Princess Alexandra of Kent represented the Queen at the independence celebrations. She flew to Lagos on 26 September 1960, and was welcomed in Nigeria by a crowd of tens of thousands of people. On 1 October, the Princess presented Nigeria's instrument of independence, also known as the Freedom Charter, to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who became the Prime Minister. On 3 October, the Princess formally opened the first federal parliament of independent Nigeria, on behalf of the Queen, before an assembly of people and diplomats. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, President of the Nigerian senate and Governor-General-designate, addressed the Princess, asking her to open Parliament by reading the Speech from the Throne. ==Constitutional role==

Nigeria was one of the realms of the Commonwealth of Nations that shared the same person as Sovereign and head of state. Effective with the Nigeria Independence Act 1960, no British government minister could advise the Sovereign on any matters pertaining to Nigeria, meaning that on all matters of Nigeria, the monarch was advised solely by Nigerian ministers. All Nigerian bills required Royal Assent. The monarch was represented in the Federation by the Governor-General of Nigeria, who was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Nigerian Prime Minister. Executive and legislature The Government of Nigeria was officially known as ''Her Majesty's Government''. All executive powers of Nigeria rested with the sovereign. All laws in Nigeria were enacted only with the granting of Royal Assent, done by the Governor-General on behalf of the Sovereign. The Governor-General could reserve a bill "for the Queen's pleasure"; that is withhold his consent to the bill and present it to the sovereign for her personal decision; or he could veto it completely by withholding his assent therefrom. The Governor-General was also responsible for summoning, proroguing, and dissolving Parliament. The Governor-General had the power to choose and appoint the Council of Ministers and could dismiss them under his discretion. All Nigerian ministers held office at the pleasure of the Governor-General. Foreign affairs The Royal Prerogative also extended to foreign affairs: the sovereign or the governor-general conducted treaties, alliances and international agreements on the advice of the Nigerian Cabinet. Nigerian representatives abroad were accredited to foreign countries by the monarch in her capacity as Queen of Nigeria. The letters of credence were formally issued by the monarch. Courts Within the Commonwealth realms, the sovereign is responsible for rendering justice for all her subjects, and is thus traditionally deemed the fount of justice. In Nigeria, criminal offences were legally deemed to be offences against the sovereign and proceedings for indictable offences were brought in the sovereign's name in the form of The Queen versus [Name]. Hence, the common law held that the sovereign "can do no wrong"; the monarch cannot be prosecuted in her own courts for criminal offences. The highest court of appeal for Nigeria was the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, and criminal prosecution was instituted in the monarch's name. ==Federal and provincial aspects==

Nigeria's monarchy was federal, with four legal jurisdictions—one federal and three provincial—with the monarch taking on a distinct legal persona in each. The Queen of Nigeria was represented by the Governor-General at the federal level, and by governors in the three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern. The governors and the Governor-General were appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Nigerian Premiers and the Nigerian Prime Minister respectively. ==Royal style and titles==

The Royal Style and Titles Act, 1961 of the Nigerian Parliament granted the monarch separate style and titles in her role as Queen of Nigeria. • 1 June 19611 October 1963: Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Nigeria and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth ==Oath of allegiance==

In Nigeria, the oath of allegiance required a person to swear or affirm that he would be "faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law", while for the oath of office he had to swear that he would "well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second in the Office of _______". ==Cultural role==

, featuring St Edward's Crown The Crown and Honours Within the Commonwealth realms, the monarch is deemed the fount of honour. Similarly, the monarch, as Sovereign of Nigeria, conferred awards and honours in Nigeria in her name. Most of them were awarded on the advice of "Her Majesty's Nigerian Ministers". The Crown and the Defence Force The monarch was the commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy were known as the "Royal Nigerian Army", and the "Royal Nigerian Navy" respectively. ==Abolition==

(left) with Saidu Samaila Sambawa in Nigeria, 2003 The monarchy was unpopular with Nigerians and all political parties in Nigeria agreed that the country should be a republic; as the British High Commissioner to the Federation, Lord Head, noted: Nigeria adopted the president of Nigeria as head of state, on 1 October 1963, ==See also==