born Nov. 16, 1904, Zungeru, Nigeria
died May 11, 1996, Enugu
First president (1963–66) of independent Nigeria.
Azikiwe's National Council party won the important 1959 federal elections and helped stimulate Nigerian independence. In the conflict over Biafra (1967–70), Azikiwe first backed his fellow Igbo but then threw his support to the federal government. Thereafter he was a leading opponent of the ruling party.