Lord Frederick Lugard was the first Governor-General of Nigeria, serving from 1914 to 1919. He is notable for overseeing the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates into the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914.

Sir James Robertson is the 1st Governor-General of Nigeria after independence. He took on the position on the 15th of June, 1955 and remained there till 16th November, 1960, when the position was taken by Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, who became the 1st Nigerian Governor-General.