List of heads of state of Nigeria


This is a list of the heads of state of Nigeria, from Nigeria's independence in 1960 to the present day.
From 1960 to 1963 the head of state under the Nigeria Independence Act 1960 was the Queen of Nigeria, Elizabeth II, who was also monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The Queen was represented in Nigeria by a Governor-General. Nigeria became a federal republic under the Constitution of 1963 and the monarch and Governor-General were replaced by a ceremonial President.
In 1979, under the 1979 Constitution, the President gained executive powers, becoming head of both state and government. Since 1994, under the 1993 Constitution and the current 1999 Constitution, the head of state and government has been called the President.

Monarch (1960–1963)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Governor-General

The Governor-General was the representative of the monarch in Nigeria and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch. Since Nigeria was granted independence by the Nigeria Independence Act 1960, rather than being first established as a semi-autonomous Dominion and later promoted to independence by the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Governor-General was appointed solely on the advice of the Nigerian cabinet without the involvement of the British government, with the sole of exception of James Robertson, the former colonial governor, who served as Governor-General temporarily until he was replaced by Nnamdi Azikiwe. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice would have served as Officer Administering the Government.

First Republic">First Nigerian Republic">First Republic (1963–1966)

Under the 1963 Constitution, the first constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria ran the parliamentary system of government with a prime minister and the President replacing the monarch as ceremonial head of state. The Prime Minister was formed by the leader of the party that won the election. The first federal election was won by the Northern People's Congress led by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The President was elected by Parliament for a five-year term. In the event of a vacancy the President of the Senate would have served as Acting President.

Military rule (1966–1979)

In 1966, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu led a bloody coup d'état in 1966 which overthrew the First Nigerian Republic, assassinating Premier Ahmadu Bello and Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Second Republic">Second Nigerian Republic">Second Republic (1979–1983)

Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, the President was head of both state and government. The President was elected by for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Vice President would have served as Acting President.

Military rule (1983–1993)

led a coup d'état which overthrew President Shagari and his government.

Interim National Government">Cabinet of Ernest Shonekan">Interim National Government (1993)

Following the annulment of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election which terminated the transition to the Third Nigerian Republic. In August 1993, Babangida resigned from office. He signed a decree establishing the Interim National Government led by Ernest Shonekan. Babangida made the interim government weak by placing it under the control of the military.

Military rule (1993–1999)

In November 1993, General Sani Abacha overthrew the interim government, and ruled the country with an iron fist. In 1998, following Abacha's death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar became head of state and ushered in the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

Fourth Republic">Fourth Nigerian Republic">Fourth Republic (1999–present)

Under the fourth Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, the President is head of both state and government. The President is elected by for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Vice President serves as Acting President.
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Living former heads of state of Nigeria