The Queen of England served as Nigeria’s president from the time of its founding until 1960, when the British unified the northern and southern protectorates. After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, presidents who were natives of the country took over the country’s affairs. In 1963, Nigeria also established a republic. Nigeria has had a number of presidents and heads of state since it attained independence in 1960.
List of past head of state and presidents of Nigeria are listed below.
1. ALHAJI ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA.
2. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
According to osgf.gov.ng. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Nigeria’s first and only indigenous governor-general, was born to Igbo parents on November 19, 1904, in Zungeru, which was then a portion of what is now Niger State. He was the ceremonial president from October 1, 1963, until JANUARY 16, 1966.
3. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
Johnson Robert Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi served as Nigeria’s first military ruler. He was born in Abia State, Nigeria, and raised in Kano with his sister, but at the age of 18, he enlisted in the Nigerian Regiment. Aguiyi-Ironsi is credited with introducing the unitary form of government to Nigeria. However, that system of government didn’t last long.
Because the vast majority of Northerners despised his regime, he was assassinated on July 29, 1966. As a result, Yakubu Gowon’s administration was created in 1966.
He was Nigeria’s youngest military chief of staff at the age of 31. During the Civil War, Yakubu, often known as Jack, oversaw Nigeria.
Gowon is said to have been a powerful, cunning, and intellectual commander. He was born in Plateau State as the fifth of his parents’ eleven children. When he was growing up, he was the best athlete among his peers in terms of skill. In 1966, Gowon was chosen to serve as Nigeria’s new president. During his presidency, the first 12 states in Nigeria’s history were created.
4. General Murtala Mohammed
General Murtala Mohammed didn’t hang onto power for too long because of his murder. He was chosen as Nigeria’s fourth head of state in 1975. A few participants in Dimka’s failed revolt killed him in 1976.
Right away, Obasanjo Olusegun took over and proceeded with his plan to hand power over to a civilian administration. Obasanjo also carried out a number of reforms in order to realize General Murtala Mohammed’s vision for the country.
5. General Obasanjo, Olusegun
General Obasanjo Olusegun was one of the past governors general of Nigeria who significantly aided in the growth and advancement of the country. He also went by the name Baba Africa and participated in the Congo Crisis and the Nigerian Civil War.
Obasanjo joined the Nigerian Army in 1958. He is credited with leading one of Nigeria’s most productive administrations. Actually, the military’s victories in Nigeria are largely the result of his administration.
6. President Shehu Shagari
Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was the first president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be chosen. After a power struggle and military coup that brought an end to Azikiwe’s presidency, Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari became the first president of the country to be democratically elected. His vice president was Alex Ekwueme.
Shehu Usman Shagari reportedly began his political career in 1951. He was one of the NPN employees who was well liked (National Party of Nigeria). Even before he was elected president, he made a significant contribution to the development of Nigeria.
7. General Muhammadu Buhari .
Muhammadu Buhari, the current president of Nigeria, previously led the nation’s military (1983–85). In 1942, he was born into a Fulani family. When Buhari was just 19 years old, he was already enrolled at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC).
When he was 20 years old, he received a promotion to second lieutenant and was appointed platoon commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta. Buhari combatted crime while in government. He hated corruption and did everything he could to put an end to it.
8. General Ibrahim Babangida.
IBB is the abbreviation for General Ibrahim Babangida. He was a superb leader and one of Nigeria’s best military dictators. Babangida removed Muhammadu Buhari from power during his military reign, and he remained in charge until his resignation in 1993.
The date of Ibrahim Babangida’s birth, August 17, 1941, will come as a shock to you. He was raised by his parents up until December 10th, 1962, when he formally enlisted in the Nigerian Army. Throughout the military administration of Nigeria, Babangida was considered the primary planner of military coups.
9. Ernest Shonekan
This government was founded by the military regime of Babangida. Babangida named a new president as pressure to hand over power to a civilian administration increased.
In Nigeria, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan allegedly served as president for the first time. Before being nominated for the position of authority, Shonekan was the CEO of the United African Company of Nigeria PLC, a substantial Nigerian conglomerate.
While Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan led the country, Moshood Abiola served as his deputy. They labored together until the military intervened once more.
10. General Sani Abacha
Abacha was a well-known autocrat in Nigerian history. He led the country’s military as head of state from 1993 until his death following a heart attack in 1998. The platoon and battalion were under Abacha’s command during the Civil War. It was a totalitarian kind of rule.
Before Abacha, every Nigerian president had his own way of running the country. For his conduct in Nigeria and other nations, he faced scathing condemnation. That in no way implies that his leadership did not produce any successful results.
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar
In Nigerian history, General Abdulsalami Abubakar is another significant character. He actively took part in both the Nigerian Civil War and the South Lebanon Conflict in 1978. General Abubakar was born in 1942 to the famous Nigerian Abubakar Jibrin of Minna, Niger State.
When General Abubakar was younger, he received his schooling in Nigeria. He served in the Nigerian Army and Air Force from 1963 to 1966 and 1966 to 1999, respectively. Abubakar also served as Nigeria’s de facto president from 1998 to 1999. He succeeded Sani Abacha after his death.
12. Olusegun Obasanjo
Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo is still recognized as a prominent politician in Nigeria today. Baba Africa is the name he goes by. Obasanjo led Nigeria as president from 1999 until 2007. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was his vice at the time.
You’ll be astonished to learn that he was an ardent PDP supporter both before and after his presidency. According to research, President Obasanjo spent the most of his first tenure traveling abroad. He was successful in getting at least some support from the West to advance Nigeria’s budding democracy.
13. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Obasanjo was succeeded as president by Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who had won the contested April 21, 2007, presidential election in Nigeria. He previously held the position of governor of the state of Kastina before being elected president of the country. You’ll be surprised to find that Yar’Adua replaced his ardent politician father. Actually, his father was the Nigerian National Party’s (NNP) National Vice-Chairman.
Even before he was elected president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua contributed to the growth and development of the country. In 1988, he took part in the Constituent Assembly.
Sadly, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died as a result of a condition he traveled abroad to get treated for. Upon his return to the country, his vice president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, took over as president (February 24, 2010).
14. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, the former president of Nigeria’s federal republic, was previously the governor of the state of Bayelsa. He was vice president of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration. Former president Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan committed to implement Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s seven-point policy framework when he passed away.
Under his leadership, the country had one of the best leaders in the entire globe. However, a number of people accused his government of failing to control the problem due to the continuous security situation.
Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. “No one’s ambition is worth the life of any Nigerian,” the newly elected president calmly stated as he accepted the reins. The chair of the International Summit Council for Peace is currently Goodluck Jonathan (ISCP). He also goes by the title of “peace ambassador.”
15. Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari currently serves as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chose him to succeed President Goodluck Jonathan as president in 2015. Some locals think President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership has failed.
However, other locals claim that he did an admirable job as the country’s president. The Vice President of this administration is Yemi Osibajo, a law professor. The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari earlier served as Bornu state’s governor may be of interest to you (3 February 1976–15 March 1976).
Daura, in Katsina State, is Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown. According to the study, he comes from a Fulani family and lost his father when he was just 4 years old. The goal of his administration is to purge the country of corruption.
16. President bola tinubu.
Bola Tinubu, beaming with pride, took the oath of office as the newly elected President of Nigeria. It was a moment of triumph for the seasoned politician, who had spent decades fighting for democracy and good governance. As he raised his hand to take the oath, the crowd erupted in cheers, knowing that a new era of hope and progress had begun. With a firm handshake and a warm smile, President Tinubu accepted the mantle of leadership, ready to tackle the challenges ahead and write a new chapter in Nigeria’s history. (May 29, 2023)….. CHECK MORE
Check Out The Only African Country Where The Father Is President And Son Is Vice President (Photo)