Nigeria Presidents & Vice Presidents
Complete historical timeline — from independence in 1960 to today, every leader who shaped the nation.
17
Leaders
7
Elected
9
Military
66+
Years
1960
Independence
1960s
SA
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
Prime Minister
1960 – 1966
5yrs 3mo
Nigeria only Prime Minister and first head of government after independence. A unifying statesman and strong advocate for African unity at the UN. Killed during the January 1966 coup.
NA
Nnamdi Azikiwe
President
1963 – 1966
2yrs 3mo
Nigeria first President and ceremonial Head of State. A founding father, journalist, and Pan-Africanist who championed Nigerian independence from British colonial rule.
MG
Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
Military Head of State
1966 – 1966
6mo
First military ruler of Nigeria following the January 1966 coup. He suspended the constitution and governed by decree. Killed in a counter-coup in July 1966.
GY
General Yakubu Gowon
Military Head of State
1966 – 1975
8yrs 11mo
Led Nigeria through the civil war 1967 to 1970 and the oil boom era. Oversaw the creation of 12 states and promoted a No Victor No Vanquished reconciliation policy after the war.
1970s
GM
General Murtala Muhammed
Military Head of State
1975 – 1976
6mo
Known for rapid decisive reforms and anti-corruption drives. Moved the federal capital project to Abuja. Assassinated in a failed coup attempt after just seven months in power.
GO
General Olusegun Obasanjo
Military Head of State
1976 – 1979
3yrs 7mo
First tenure as military ruler. Handed over to civilian government in 1979 in a widely praised democratic transition. Later returned as elected President from 1999 to 2007.
AS
Alhaji Shehu Shagari
President
1979 – 1983
4yrs 2mo
Nigeria first executive President under the Second Republic. His administration oversaw the oil boom and subsequent austerity following the global oil price crash.
1980s
MG
Major General Muhammadu Buhari
Military Head of State
1984 – 1985
1yr 7mo
First tenure as military ruler after overthrowing Shagari. Known for the War Against Indiscipline campaign and strict austerity measures. Himself overthrown in 1985.
GI
General Ibrahim Babangida
Military President
1985 – 1993
7yrs 11mo
The longest-serving military ruler known as IBB. Introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme and controversially annulled the June 12 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola.
1990s
CE
Chief Ernest Shonekan
Head of Interim Government
1993 – 1993
2mo
Headed the Interim National Government for just three months following Babangida stepping aside. Ousted by General Sani Abacha in a palace coup in November 1993.
GS
General Sani Abacha
Military Head of State
1993 – 1998
4yrs 6mo
One of Nigeria most controversial rulers. His administration was marked by severe human rights abuses and large-scale looting of state funds. Died in office in June 1998.
GA
General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Military Head of State
1998 – 1999
11mo
Oversaw Nigeria swift transition back to democracy after Abacha death. Released political prisoners, organised credible elections, and handed over to Obasanjo in May 1999.
CO
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
President
1999 – 2007
8yrs
Second tenure as elected President. Pursued debt relief winning a historic write-off of Nigeria Paris Club debt, established EFCC and ICPC for anti-corruption, and drove privatisation of state enterprises.
2000s
AU
Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
President
2007 – 2010
2yrs 11mo
Known for the Seven Point Agenda focusing on infrastructure and power supply. Launched the Niger Delta Amnesty programme that reduced militancy significantly. Died in office in May 2010 after prolonged illness.
2010s
DG
Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
President
2010 – 2015
5yrs
First President from the Niger Delta. Oversaw the rebasing of Nigeria economy which made it the largest in Africa. His concession of defeat to Buhari in 2015 was widely praised as a landmark democratic moment.
MB
Muhammadu Buhari
President
2015 – 2023
8yrs
Second tenure as elected President. Focused on anti-corruption, infrastructure development including rail networks, and combating Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
2020s
BA
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President
2023 – Present
3yrs 2mo
● In office
Former Lagos State Governor and APC national leader. Assumed office in May 2023 and launched bold economic reforms including removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the naira exchange rate.