On the 1st of October 1960, a new Nigeria emerged after a long period of British administrative rule; Nigeria achieved independence with an elected prime minister and head of state in place. In 1963, Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first president, marking the year when Nigeria shifted to a republic known as the First Republic, although the prime minister still held more power. However, due to ethnic differences, conflict, and inequality in the nation’s economy during the time, it broke down again, inviting military intervention. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi attempted to unify the ethnic groups in 1966 through a coup, but it was unsuccessful due to the Igbo conflict in the north. He was assassinated by northern officers in a coup and replaced by General Yakubu Gowon.
The military system of government retook control. This change altered the understanding of democracy and restricted many human rights movements; the regime transition resulted in Nigeria’s second republic in 1979. Shehu Shagari was elected president of Nigeria under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in this republic. However, during this period, the federal presidential system was introduced. The cycle will continue as Nigeria sees several shifts in power between the military and the civilians until the fourth republic. We will be viewing the complete list of Nigeria president from 1960 to the present as we proceed.
List of Nigeria President from Independence to date
| S/N | Name of President | Year | Position Held | Party | Republic Era |
| 1 | Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | 1960–1963 | Prime Minister | NPC | First Republic |
| 2 | Nnamdi Azikiwe | 1963–1966 | President | NCNC | First Republic |
| 3 | Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi | 1966 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 4 | Yakubu Gowon | 1966–1975 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 5 | Murtala Mohammed | 1975–1976 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 6 | Olusegun Obasanjo (1st term) | 1976–1979 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 7 | Shehu Shagari | 1979–1983 | President | NPN | Second Republic |
| 8 | Muhammadu Buhari (1st term) | 1983–1985 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 9 | Ibrahim Babangida | 1985–1993 | President | Military | Military Era |
| 10 | Ernest Shonekan | 1993 | Interim President | None (Caretaker) | Interim Govt. (Military) |
| 11 | Sani Abacha | 1993–1998 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 12 | Abdulsalami Abubakar | 1998–1999 | Head of State | Military | Military Era |
| 13 | Olusegun Obasanjo (2nd term) | 1999–2007 | President | PDP | Fourth Republic |
| 14 | Umaru Musa Yar’Adua | 2007–2010 | President | PDP | Fourth Republic |
| 15 | Goodluck Jonathan | 2010–2015 | President | PDP | Fourth Republic |
| 16 | Muhammadu Buhari (2nd term) | 2015–2023 | President | APC | Fourth Republic |
| 17 | Bola Ahmed Tinubu | 2023–Present | President | APC | Fourth Republic |
The First President of Nigeria
Nigeria has had many presidents because its regimes have frequently alternated between civilian and military governments; among these presidents is Nnamdi Azikiwe, who served as the first president of Nigeria in 1960. He was born in Enugu State in 1904. Nnamdi schooled at Onitsha, Calabar, and Lagos, as well as in the United States. He was a nationalist newspaper editor in Ghana before returning to Nigeria, where he used his newspapers to advocate for self-governance. He joined a political movement, first the Nigerian Youth Movement. Not long ago in his political career, he founded a new party, the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). After Nigeria’s independence, he became the first president of Nigeria.
The First Military President of Nigeria
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first military head of state born in Abia State, was born in 1924. He joined the army at 18 and rose through the ranks until the level of major general. In 1965, some officers, led by Maj. Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi attempted a coup that resulted in the death of the prime minister, Tafawa Balewa, some prominent leaders and high-ranking army officers. His regime was short-lived, as he was later overthrown by a counter-coup, which led to his demise. Northern Nigerian officers organized this coup because they believed he was overly sentimental.
The Current President of Nigeria
The current president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was born in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the United States. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who specialises in accounting, has worked with various firms at home and internationally. His political career began in 1992 with the Social Democratic Party (SDP). In 1999, he was elected governor of Lagos State by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and served for two terms. In 2023, he was elected the president of Nigeria after the then president, Muhammadu Buhari, completed a two-term tenure, which limits continuation or re-running for the presidency.
Summary
Despite the wrangling among Nigerian leaders and the shifts in power over time, the country has politically evolved and accommodated numerous presidents, transitioning from the First Republic during civilian rule to a military regime, then back to civilian rule in the Second Republic, followed by another military regime, and finally entering the Fourth Republic, which currently has Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its incumbent president.
“You can proceed to view the complete list of Nigeria’s Vice Presidents to date, including their names, years in office, titles, and political parties.”