- October 1: Independence from the United Kingdom.
- October 7: The First Republic is proclaimed.
- December 30: The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) wins the federal election.
1965:
- January 12: The Western Region crisis begins, leading to a military coup d'état on January 15.
- January 16: General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi becomes the head of state.
- May 29: The National Reconciliation Commission is established.
1966:
- January 15: A counter-coup d'état takes place, and General Yakubu Gowon becomes the head of state.
- May 27: The Eastern Region declares its independence as the Republic of Biafra.
- July 6: The Nigerian Civil War begins.
1967:
- May 30: The Biafran secessionist movement is defeated.
- June 12: The Nigerian Civil War ends.
1968:
- January 15: The Republic of Biafra is dissolved.
- July 29: The General Gowon regime launches a nine-point program to rebuild the country.
1969:
- September 21: The Nigerian Council of State adopts a new constitution.
- October 1: Nigeria becomes a republic again.