The first Governor-General of Nigeria was Lord Frederick Lugard. He was a British colonial administrator who served as the Governor-General of Nigeria from 1914 to 1919. During this time, Nigeria was a British protectorate, and Lord Lugard was responsible for overseeing the administration of the country and ensuring that British interests were protected. His role was similar to that of a governor in a British colony, and he had a great deal of power and authority over the people of Nigeria.