Which ethnic groups dominated Nigeria’s Western, Eastern, and Northern regions after independence?

Following Nigeria's independence in 1960, the country was structured into three large geographic regions, each of which was essentially dominated by one of the nation's three major ethnic groups:1

• Northern Region: Dominated by the Hausa-Fulani people.1
• Western Region: Dominated by the Yoruba people.1
• Eastern Region: Dominated by the Igbo people.1

These regional divisions were central to the country's political landscape, as regional leaders often prioritized the interests of their respective groups, leading to significant ethnic competitiveness and political instability. In an effort to mitigate these tensions, the Mid-West region was created in 1963 by dividing the Western region, though the broader regional power dynamics remained a defining feature of the era.1