This is a comprehensive list of all the Heads of State/Presidents of Nigeria. Since 1963, Nigeria has had 15 Heads of State/Presidents till date.
After Nigeria became a Federal Republic in 1963, the post of Governor-general was abolished and the ties to the British Crown seized, making Nigeria fully independent and sovereign.
In 1979, under the 1979 constitution, the President of Nigeria gained executive powers and this strengthened his position as both Head of State and Head of Government. By this also, he became the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces of Nigeria.
Under the 1993 and 1999 constitution, The Head of State and Head of Government in Nigeria has been called President, giving him full powers to direct the affairs of the country properly.
Nnamdi Azikiwe is the first president of Nigeria. After his government fell due to the intervention of the military through the 1966 coup d’etat, championed by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the Nigerian military seized power and ruled Nigeria for much of its political history post-independence.
Below is a comprehensive list of all Heads of State/Presidents in Nigeria. You are encouraged to click the links provided below to know more about them in their biographies.
List of all Nigerian Heads of State/President
1. Dr. Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe (1963-1966)
2. Major-General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi (January 16, 1966-July 29, 1966)
3. General Yakubu Gowon (1966-1975)
4. General Murtala Ramat Muhammed (1975-1976)
5. Major-General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979)
6. Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1979-1983)
7. Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985)
8. General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993)
9. Chief Ernest Shonekan (August 23, 1993-November 17, 1993)
10. General Sani Abacha (1993-1998)
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999)
12. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007)
13. Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010)
14. Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015)
15. Muhammadu Buhari (2015-date)
The above are the indigenous people to ever rule Nigeria as either Head of State or President since Nigeria became a Federal Republic.