Separatist movements of Nigeria

Separatist sentiments first occurred in 1914, when Frederick Lugard unified the Northern Nigeria Protectorate (predominantly Muslim) and the Southern Nigeria Protectorate (predominantly pagan/animist and Christian) into the single colony of Nigeria>Ahmadu Bello in his autobiography noted the unpopularity in Northern Nigeria of the merger, likely referring to the native Islamic rulers of Northern Nigeria.

As Nigeria was transitioning towards self-rule during the 1950s, new constitutional arrangements and rivalries between political parties intensified secessionist rhetoric. A particular point of contention centered around Lagos, which was the capital of Nigeria at the time. Delegates from the predominantly Igbo Eastern Region regarded Lagos as a "no man's land", while delegates from the predominantly Yoruba Western Region regarded Lagos to be a culturally Yoruba city to be governed strictly on their terms. Obafemi Awolowo, the premier of Western Region, sent a letter which stated the freedom of Western Region to "decide whether or not they will remain on the proposed Nigerian Federation", implicitly threatening secession.

Secessionist sentiments re-emerged during the federal election of December 1964 and the Western Region election of 1965. President Nnamdi Azikiwe stated:

It is better for us and for our admirers abroad that we should disintegrate in peace and not in pieces. Should the politicians fail to heed this warning, then I will venture the prediction that the experience of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be child's play if it ever comes to our turn to play such a tragic role

However, in response, Ahmadu Bello reiterated the 1963 constitution of Nigeria had no provision for secession.