When Nigeria gained
independence from the
United Kingdom on 1 October 1960, it originally had a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with
Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. But in 1963, Nigeria ended its status as a
Commonwealth Realm and became a
republic. The head of state was the
president, while the
prime minister served as the head of government. In 1966, the office of prime minister was abolished (as the inaugural holder of the office,
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, had been assassinated) and since then, Nigeria has been a
presidential republic with the president as the head of state and head of government. ==Prime Minister of Nigeria (1960–1966)==