Complete List Of Vice Presidents Of Nigeria From 1960 Till Date
No. | Name | Office Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe | 1966 - 1966 | Central Military Government |
2 | Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey | 1966 - 1975 | Federal Military Government |
3 | Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo | 1975 - 1976 | General Murtala Muhammed |
4 | Major General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua | 1976 - 1979 | General Olusegun Obasanjo |
5 | Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme | 1979 - 1983 | National Party of Nigeria |
6 | Major General Tunde Idiagbon | 1983 - 1985 | Supreme Military Council |
7 | Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe | 1985 - 1986 | Armed Forces Ruling Council |
8 | Admiral Augustus Aikhomu | 1986 - 1993 | Interim National Government (1993) |
9 | Lieutenant General Donaldson Oladipo Diya | 1993 - 1997 | Provisional Ruling Council |
10 | Vice Admiral Michael Akhigbe | 1998 - 1999 | Provisional Ruling Council |
11 | Atiku Abubakar | 1999 - 2007 | People's Democratic Party |
12 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | 2007 - 2010 | People's Democratic Party |
13 | Namadi Sambo | 2010 - 2015 | People's Democratic Party |
14 | Yemi Osinbajo | 2015 - 2023 | All Progressives Congress |
15 | Kashim Shettima | 2023 - Incumbent | All Progressives Congress |
READ ALSO: Complete List Of Senate Presidents In Nigeria From 1960 Till Date
Second Republic (1979-1983)
The Second Republic of Nigeria (1979-1983) held immense value for the nation. It noticed an important turning point as Nigeria transitioned back to civilian rule after a period of military governance (1966-1979).
A new constitution was drafted, establishing a federal presidential system with an elected president and vice president.
This time re-established the office of the Vice President, which had been created in 1963 but remained dormant during military rule.
Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme served as the first Vice President of Nigeria during the Second Republic (1979-1983). He was elected alongside President Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).
Ekwueme was an integral part of the Second Republic government, and his tenure saw the Vice President’s office re-emerged as a critical position within the Nigerian political structure.
Despite the optimism surrounding the return to civilian rule, the Second Republic faced various challenges. These included economic difficulties due to fluctuations in oil prices and political tensions.
Sadly, the Second Republic was cut short as another military coup took place in 1983, leading to the overthrow of the democratically elected government.
Military Rule (1983-1999)
Similar to the previous period of military rule (1966-1979), Nigeria did not have a Vice President during the subsequent military governance from 1983 to 1999.
This extended period of military rule came after a brief return to civilian government, the Second Republic (1979-1983).
A military coup in 1983 led to the overthrow of the democratically elected government, suspending the constitution and reinstalling military leadership.
The absence of a Vice President during this time reflects the suspension of civilian offices and the concentration of power within the military leadership.
However, the term of military rule from 1983 to 1999 had a significant impact on Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.
The military governments implemented various social and economic policies, some with mixed results. While some efforts aimed at curbing corruption and indiscipline, others restricted civil liberties and freedom of expression.
Human rights abuses also marred this era. Despite the challenges, the late 1980s witnessed a growing movement towards democratic reforms.
There were increasing calls for a return to civilian rule, and the military government itself initiated a transition program. This program included the establishment of new political parties and a timetable for elections.
READ ALSO: Who Was The First President Of Nigeria (And In What Year?)
Fourth Republic (1999-Present)
The Fourth Republic of Nigeria (1999-present) honors an important milestone in the nation’s history. It is the longest-lasting period of democratic rule in Nigeria, following a series of military governments.
This era saw a return to civilian leadership, the drafting of a new constitution, and the re-establishment of the office of the Vice President.
The table below lists the Vice Presidents who have served in Nigeria since the return to civilian rule in 1999:
No. | Name | Office Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Atiku Abubakar | 1999 - 2007 | PDP |
2 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | 2007 - 2010 | PDP |
3 | Namadi Sambo | 2010 - 2015 | PDP |
4 | Yemi Osinbajo | 2015 - 2023 | APC |
5 | Kashim Shettima | 2023 - Incumbent | APC |
Let’s take a closer at the vice presidents:
- Atiku Abubakar (1999-2007): The first Vice President of the Fourth Republic, Atiku Abubakar, served alongside President Olusegun Obasanjo.
- Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2007-2010): Goodluck Jonathan became President in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. He then went on to win a presidential election in his own right, serving until 2015.
- Namadi Sambo (2010-2015): Namadi Sambo served as Vice President under President Goodluck Jonathan.
- Yemi Osinbajo (2015-2023): Professor Yemi Osinbajo served under President Muhammadu Buhari.
- Kashim Shettima (2023-Present): Kashim Shettima is the current Vice President, serving alongside President Muhammadu Buhari.
