In the early hours of 15 January 1966, a group of mostly Igbo majors led by Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna launched coordinated coups in Lagos, Kaduna and Ibadan. Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, Premier Ahmadu Bello of the North, Premier Samuel Akintola of the West, and Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh were killed. The coup failed to take full power; what followed was Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi assuming control, a counter-coup in July 1966, the killing of Ironsi, the elevation of Yakubu Gowon, the September–October 1966 pogroms in the North, and ultimately the Civil War.
Crisis1966· Chapter 5
January 15, 1966
Majors Nzeogwu, Ifeajuna, Onwuatuegwu and the Five Majors. Balewa, Akintola, Ahmadu Bello killed. The First Republic ends.
Source: Major Nzeogwu's broadcast (15 Jan 1966); Max Siollun, Oil, Politics and Violence (2009)
Era context
The political and economic reality
The government(s), economy and national reality across the period 1966–1966.
Prime Minister · First Republic
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
1960–1966· NPC
National reality
Independence on 1 October 1960. Regional rivalries (NPC, NCNC, AG) dominated politics. Awolowo treason trial (1962–63). Western Region crisis (1962–65) and the disputed 1964 federal election destabilised the Republic.
Crises of the period
- Action Group crisis (1962)
- Western Region election violence (1965)
- January 15, 1966 coup — Balewa, Ahmadu Bello and Akintola killed
GDP (World Bank)
≈ $4.2 bn (1960, World Bank)
Cabinet (selected portfolios)
- Finance
Festus Okotie-Eboh
- Justice (AGF)
Dr. Taslim Olawale Elias
- Defence
Sir Muhammadu Ribadu
- Foreign Affairs
Jaja Wachuku
- Education
Aja Nwachukwu
Source: Federal Gazette 1960–66; Falola & Heaton (2008)
Head of State · Military
Gen. Yakubu Gowon
1966–1975
National reality
Counter-coup of July 1966, Biafran War (1967–70), then the oil-boom expansion. Twelve-state structure (1967) replaced the four regions. Three Rs (Reconciliation, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation) and indigenisation began.
Crises of the period
- Biafran Civil War 1967–70 (1–3 million dead)
- 1973 OPEC oil shock + boom
- FESTAC '77 preparations
GDP (World Bank)
$12.5 bn (1970) → $27.7 bn (1975, oil boom)
Cabinet (selected portfolios)
- Finance (Commissioner)
Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1967–71)
- Education (Commissioner)
A.Y. Eke (c.1967)
Federal Executive Council of commissioners; full roster being compiled.
Source: Federal Military Government records; World Bank WDI
Methodology
Tier 1 · primary
Courts. Gazettes. National archives.
Tier 2 · corroborating
OCCRP. HRW. BudgIT. TheCable.
Redline
Wikipedia is never a source.