The first Governor-General of Nigeria was

Analyze the question: It asks who was the first Governor-General of Nigeria. This is a history question, so we need the title and the date it was created.

Explain the concept: Before 1914, Nigeria was made up of separate territories: the Colony and Protectorate of Lagos, the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate. In 1914 these were amalgamated into one country, and the head of the new administration was given the title Governor-General.

Solution:

• Frederick (later Lord) Lugard was already High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria and then Governor of both Northern and Southern Nigeria.
• When the Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated on 1 January 1914, he was appointed the first Governor-General of Nigeria. He held the post until 1919.

Checking the other options:

• B. Nnamdi Azikiwe: He was the first Nigerian Governor-General (1960–63) and the first President (1963). He was not the first Governor-General overall.
• C. Sir James Robertson: He was the last British Governor-General (1955–60), so he came before Azikiwe but long after Lugard.
• D. Aguiyi-Ironsi: He was the first military Head of State (1966), not a Governor-General.

Answer: A. Lord Lugard.

Tip: Remember the "first and last" pattern:

• First Governor-General: Lugard (1914)
• Last British Governor-General: Robertson
• First Nigerian Governor-General: Azikiwe

Questions that ask for "first" with the word "Nigeria" almost always point to Lugard, because of the 1914 amalgamation.