Background:

Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, but it soon faced
numerous challenges in its early years as an independent nation. The country was
characterized by deep ethnic and regional divisions, with power predominantly concentrated
in the hands of the northern-dominated political elite. The federal government was led by a
coalition of political parties, with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister.

The Coup:

On January 15, 1966, a group of young military officers, mostly of Igbo ethnicity, launched a
coup d'état against the Nigerian government. The coup, which became known as the "January
15 coup," was primarily motivated by a combination of factors, including a desire to end
corruption, address ethnic imbalances in the country's power structure, and promote social
justice. The coup plotters, known as the "January Boys" or the "Five Majors," were led by
Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu.

The coup unfolded in two phases. In the first phase, the coup plotters successfully
assassinated several senior political and military leaders. Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa, along with several regional premiers, including Sir Ahmadu Bello (the Premier of
Northern Nigeria), Chief Samuel Akintola (the Premier of Western Nigeria), and Chief Festus
Okotie-Eboh (the Federal Minister of Finance), were among those killed.

However, the second phase of the coup did not proceed as planned. Major-General Johnson
Aguiyi-Ironsi, the most senior military officer at the time, emerged as the new head of state.
Ironsi declared martial law, suspended the constitution, and assumed control of the
government. This unexpected turn of events caused a rift among the coup plotters, as Ironsi's
assumption of power deviated from their original plan to install a civilian government.

Aftermath:

Ironsi's assumption of power was met with mixed reactions across Nigeria. While some
hailed the coup as a necessary step towards addressing the country's problems, others viewed
it as an illegitimate seizure of power. Tensions escalated quickly, particularly in the northern
part of the country, where Hausa-speaking mobs targeted Igbo civilians in acts of violence
and reprisal.

To address the deteriorating situation, Ironsi announced a series of measures aimed at

national unity, including the abolition of the country's federal structure and the establishment
of a unitary system of government. However, these actions further fueled ethnic tensions,
particularly among the northern population, who perceived the centralization of power as
disadvantaging their region.

Counter-Coup and Rise of General Yakubu Gowon:

The discontent and ethnic tensions resulting from Ironsi's assumption of power eventually led
to a counter-coup. On July 29, 1966, a group of northern officers led by Lieutenant Colonel
Murtala Ramat Mohammed and Major Theophilus Danjuma staged a coup against Ironsi's
government. Ironsi and his host, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, were abducted and later killed in
the process. Major-General Yakubu Gowon emerged as the new head of state.

Under Gowon's leadership, the country was divided into twelve states, with the aim of
addressing ethnic imbalances and promoting unity. This division sought to alleviate the
concerns of various ethnic groups and provide a more equitable distribution of power.
However, these measures did not fully resolve the underlying tensions and conflicts within
Nigeria.

Legacy:

The first military coup in 1966 had far-reaching consequences for Nigeria. It marked the
beginning of a series of military interventions in Nigerian politics, leading to a protracted
period of military rule that lasted for several years. The coup also exacerbated ethnic and
regional divisions, which eventually contributed to the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), also
known as the Biafran War.

Furthermore, the coup and its aftermath had a profound impact on the political landscape of
Nigeria, shaping subsequent power dynamics and influencing the country's political and
social development in the following decades. The events of 1966 set a precedent for military
involvement in Nigerian politics, with the military becoming a prominent player in the
country's governance for many years to come.

Overall, the first military coup in 1966 was a pivotal event in Nigeria's history, signaling a
shift from civilian rule to military governance and setting the stage for subsequent political
and social upheavals in the country.