Lt -Col. Yakubu Gowon, (later General), General Ironsi's Chief of Army Staff became the Head of State and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces on the overthrow of General Ironsi's Government. This period was marked by the greatest socio-political upheaval that the country has ever witnessed. Nonetheless, this same era also marked the foundation of some of Nigeria's gargantuan development programmes on which subsequent regimes and governments were to build on. Some of the highlights of the period were:

i. The extensive expansion and exploitation of Nigeria's mineral resources culminating in the "Oil Boom" which in no small measure changed the economy, the taste and living standards of many Nigerians.

ii. The reluctance of the Governor of the Eastern Region, Lt-Col. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, to accept Lt.-Col. Yakubu Gowon as head of the Army and of the Federal Government.

iii. The release from prison of Chief Awolowo on August 3, 1966.

iv. The restoration on August 31, 1966 of the Federal System of Government to the country.

v. General disturbances in the country in October 1966 leading to the withdrawal into their homeland of most people of Eastern origin from other parts of the Federation

vi. Various unsuccessful peace moves towards reconciliation in the country which had now split into two factions, namely, the East and the rest of the Federal Republic. One such move was the meeting of the military leaders at Aburi, outside Accra, Ghana on the 4th and 5th January, 1967.

vii. The creation on May 27, 1967 of twelve states each headed by a Military Governor out of the former four regions.

viii. The unilateral declaration by Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30th 1967 of an independent "Republic of Biafra" encompassing the entire former Eastern Region.

xi. The beginning on 6th July, 1967 of what the Federal Government regarded as a police action to stop the succession of the Eastern Region.

x. The declaration on August 9, 1967 of full-scale war on "Biafra" after its forces had invaded and captured the Mid-West State.

xi. The collapse of "Biafra" on January 14, 1970 and its reunion with the Federal Republic of Nigeria after the escape out of the country of Lt. Co. Ojukwu and his dismissal from the Nigeria Army.

xii. The period of reconciliation and reconstruction following the cessation of hostilities.

xiii. The introduction of various forms of bursaries, scholarships and Students Loan Scheme in the 1970's, thereby making education accessible to many more people.

xiv. The announcement of salaries and wages review throughout the Federation to improve the lot of the ordinary people.

xv. The setting up of the first Armed Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Lagos in January
1970.