Nigeria declares independence from Britain in October. Three years later, it becomes a republic. 1966 Middle-ranking members of the Nigerian military stage an attempted coup in January that is suppressed by federal troops, but results in the installation of a military government. The Eastern Region of Nigeria secedes in May, proclaiming itself the Republic of Biafra.
Country plunges into a civil war that kills an estimated one million.
The Biafra secessionists capitulate in January. Successive governments promise elections but military rule continues. Nigeria returns to civilian government rule in October, electing Sheu Shagari as President of the Second Republic. Shagari regime is deposed in December, as a military coup ousts the democratically elected government. A second coup ushers in a regime headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.