<P> The political unrest during the mid-1960s culminated into Nigeria 's first military coup d'état . On 15 January 1966 , Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and his fellow rebel soldiers ( most of who were of southern extraction ) and were led by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna of the Nigerian Army , executed a bloody takeover of all institutions of government . Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa , was assassinated along with the premier of Northern Nigeria , strong - man Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto , Samuel Akintola , premier of the West and Festus Okotie - Eboh , the Finance Minister . ( 1 ) . It is not clear whether President Azikiwe 's life was spared because he was out of the country at the time , or whether he had been informed about the impending coup and was out of the country so that his life could be spared . Major - General Johnson Aguiyi - Ironsi took control as the first Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria on January 16 , 1966 . </P>
<P> The political unrest during the mid-1960s culminated into Nigeria 's first military coup d'état . On 15 January 1966 , Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and his fellow rebel soldiers ( most of who were of southern extraction ) and were led by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna of the Nigerian Army , executed a bloody takeover of all institutions of government . Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa , was assassinated along with the premier of Northern Nigeria , strong - man Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto , Samuel Akintola , premier of the West and Festus Okotie - Eboh , the Finance Minister . ( 1 ) . It is not clear whether President Azikiwe 's life was spared because he was out of the country at the time , or whether he had been informed about the impending coup and was out of the country so that his life could be spared . Major - General Johnson Aguiyi - Ironsi took control as the first Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria on January 16 , 1966 . </P>
the fall of the first republic of nigeria took place on
the fall of the first republic of nigeria took place on
15 January 1966
15 January 1966