A decade later, he would rise to become Nigeria’s first military Head of State in January 1966.

Captain Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Queen Elizabeth II’s Equerry, seated with other guests at a parade in Lagos during the Queen’s royal tour of Nigeria in 1956.

Queen Elizabeth visited several locations like Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu, and Port Harcourt, where she was met with elaborate ceremonies showcasing Nigeria’s cultural diversity and political aspirations.

For Aguiyi-Ironsi, his position beside the royal entourage symbolized not only prestige but also the gradual emergence of Nigerians into senior roles within the colonial military structure.

A decade later, he would rise to become Nigeria’s first military Head of State in January 1966.