Complete List Of Nigerian Presidents (From 1960 Till Date)
Nigeria gained her independence in 1960. However, the head of state between 1960 and 1963 was Queen Elizabeth II, who was also the queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth space.
During this period, Nigeria was a parliamentary monarchy with a Prime Minister as head of government. Here’s a complete list of Nigerian leaders since 1960:
No. | Name | Title | Years | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | Prime Minister | 1960-1963 | NPC |
2 | Nnamdi Azikiwe | President | 1963-1966 | NCNC |
3 | Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi | Head of State | 1966 | Military |
4 | Yakubu Gowon | Head of State | 1966-1975 | Military |
5 | Murtala Mohammed | Head of State | 1975-1976 | Military |
6 | Olusegun Obasanjo (1st term) | Head of State | 1976-1979 | Military |
7 | Shehu Shagari | President | 1979-1983 | NPN |
8 | Muhammadu Buhari (1st term) | Head of State | 1983-1985 | Military |
9 | Ibrahim Babangida | President | 1985-1993 | Military |
10 | Ernest Shonekan | Interim President | 1993 | None (Caretaker) |
11 | Sani Abacha | Head of State | 1993-1998 | Military |
12 | Abdulsalami Abubakar | Head of State | 1998-1999 | Military |
13 | Olusegun Obasanjo (2nd term) | President | 1999-2007 | PDP |
14 | Umaru Yar'Adua | President | 2007-2010 | PDP |
15 | Goodluck Jonathan | President | 2010-2015 | PDP |
16 | Muhammadu Buhari (2nd term) | President | 2015-2023 | APC |
17 | Bola Ahmed Tinubu | President | 2023-present | APC |
Please Note: This table includes all Heads of State and Presidents, both civilian and military.
First Republic (1960-1966)
The First Republic of Nigeria (1960-1966) drew a key period in the country’s history. It represented the first civilian government following Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960.
This era was characterized by a parliamentary democracy with a federal system. Here’s a list of the presidents who served during the First Republic:
| President | Term in Office |
|---|---|
| Nnamdi Azikiwe | 1960-1963 |
| Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | 1963-1966 |
1. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1960-1963)
Nnamdi Azikiwe, often referred to as “The Great Zik” by his supporters, was a towering figure in Nigerian history. A leading advocate for independence, his political career played an important role in uniting Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
Azikiwe’s career to become Nigeria’s first president began well before 1960. He spent his early years traveling and studying abroad, earning degrees in the United States.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he became a prominent journalist and nationalist, using his newspaper to advocate for self-government.
Azikiwe also founded the Nigerian National Council (NCNC), a political party that promoted Nigerian unity. Following independence in 1960, Nigeria became a parliamentary democracy with a federal system.
In this structure, the Prime Minister held executive power, while the President assumed a mostly ceremonial role. Nnamdi Azikiwe was chosen as the nation’s first President, serving from 1960 to 1963.
2. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1963-1966)
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa also played a part in shaping Nigeria’s early years as an independent nation. A teacher by profession.
Balewa rose through the ranks of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) to become Nigeria’s first Prime Minister after the country became a Federal Republic in 1963.
Despite his conservative leanings and support for maintaining close ties with Britain, Balewa was also a proponent of Nigerian unity and reform.
He guided the challenges of a young federation with its diverse regional interests. Balewa’s tenure as Prime Minister was tragically cut short.
In 1966, a military coup d’état led to his overthrow and assassination. His death was a turning point in Nigerian history and ushered in a period of political instability.
Military Rule (1966-1979)
The period between 1966 and 1979 observed a significant shift in Nigerian politics as the country transitioned from a civilian government to a series of military regimes.
This change in leadership derived from the political instability and regional tensions that plagued the First Republic.
- 1966: A series of coups d’état led by the military ultimately led to the collapse of the First Republic. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi emerged as the first military head of state. However, his rule was short-lived as another coup later in 1966 led to his assassination.
- 1966-1975: General Yakubu Gowon assumed power and ruled for nearly a decade. His tenure was marked by the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), a brutal conflict rooted in ethnic and regional divisions. After the war, Gowon promised a return to civilian rule, but delays led to growing public discontent.
- 1975-1976: General Murtala Muhammed ousted Gowon in a bloodless coup. Muhammed’s government focused on economic reforms and establishing a timeline for a return to democracy. However, his assassination in 1976 cut his plans short.
- 1976-1979: General Olusegun Obasanjo succeeded Muhammed and continued the process of transitioning Nigeria back to civilian rule. A new constitution was drafted, and elections were held in 1979, marking the end of military rule for a period.
The military’s grip on power for over a decade had a profound impact on Nigeria. The civil war resulted in devastating loss of life and infrastructure damage, and the economy stagnated due to a change in priorities toward military spending. Additionally, democratic processes were weakened, and human rights abuses occurred under some military regimes.
Second Republic (1979-1983)
The year 1979 celebrated an important milestone for Nigeria as the country returned to civilian rule after a period of military governance.
A new constitution was adopted, establishing a federal presidential system. Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) emerged victorious in the 1979 elections, becoming the first president of the Second Republic.
While there were initial hopes for a stable and prosperous democracy, the Second Republic faced several challenges throughout its short existence.
- Economic Pressures: A global oil abundance in the early 1980s led to a decline in oil revenue, an essential source of income for Nigeria. This economic downturn strained the government’s budget and hampered development projects.
- Political Tensions: Ethnic and regional divisions continued to parboil under the surface, occasionally leading to political unrest. Additionally, allegations of corruption within the government eroded public trust.
- Social Unrest: Economic hardship coupled with accusations of mismanagement led to growing public discontent. Labor strikes and protests became more frequent during this period.
Despite efforts to address these challenges, the problems facing the Second Republic proved too difficult to overcome. The 1983 elections were marred by allegations of widespread rigging, further fueling political instability.
In December 1983, the military once again intervened, staging a coup that ended the Second Republic and ushered in another period of military rule.
Continued Military Rule (1983-1999)
Nigeria’s military returned to power in 1983 following a coup that ousted a civilian government. This course of military rule lasted for sixteen years, particularly shaping the country’s social, political, and economic landscape.
The 1983 coup was fueled by concerns about corruption and economic mismanagement under the previous civilian administration.
A series of military leaders followed, including General Muhammadu Buhari and General Ibrahim Babangida. While some initial efforts were made to address corruption, the military government struggled to revive the economy.
The military rule had a profound impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Basic freedoms of speech and assembly were restricted.
Human rights abuses were documented, raising international concern. The economy stopped flowing, leading to shortages of essential goods and rising inflation.
Many Nigerians faced hardship and uncertainty during this time. Public dissatisfaction with military rule grew throughout the 1990s.
Pro-democracy movements emerged, calling for a return to civilian government. General Babangida attempted a gradual transition to democracy through a series of political reforms.
However, these efforts were marred by controversy and ultimately failed. In 1999, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the last military ruler, oversaw a successful handover of power to a civilian elected government. This observed a turning point in Nigeria’s history, signifying the return to democracy.
Fourth Republic (1999 – Present)
In 1999, Nigerians entered a new era with the establishment of the Fourth Republic, marking a return to civilian rule after a long period of military dominance.
The Fourth Republic began with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler who oversaw a transition to a democratic government.
This term witnessed increased political participation, with new political parties emerging and freedom of the press taking root.
The following years saw a rise in oil prices, leading to a period of economic growth. However, the benefits of this growth were not evenly distributed, and poverty remained a pressing issue for many Nigerians.
Successive presidents, including Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, have grappled with issues like corruption, infrastructure development, and social unrest in the oil-producing Niger Delta region.
However, Nigeria’s Fourth Republic has seen a significant milestone, the peaceful transfer of power between two different political parties in 2015.
President Muhammadu Buhari, re-elected in 2019, has focused on combating corruption and insurgency. Despite these efforts, challenges like poverty, unemployment, and security threats remain.
The true story of the Fourth Republic lies in its impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Has access to education and healthcare improved?
Have economic opportunities expanded? These are the questions that matter most. Though Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a work in progress.
Reference Sources:
I love 💕 this
Life circle of nigeria