If you want to know the names of Nigerian presidents from 1960 to the present, this article will tell you everything you need to know about the country’s past military leaders and presidents (2021)……CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest and most populous countries. Nigeria is also known as the African Giant because, among African countries, Nigeria is the most well-known.
Many presidents and military heads of state have governed this country over the years, all of whom have contributed to the country’s growth and development in some way.
In truth, most of Nigeria’s previous leaders set the groundwork for some of the country’s greatest achievements.
As a result, it’s crucial to keep them in mind at all times. As a result, from 1960 to the present, this article presents the names of all previous Nigerian presidents. A brief biography of each of Nigeria’s previous presidents will be included as well.
Below are the past Nigerian presidents from 1960 till date (2021):
1. Azikiwe Nnamdi (1 October 1963 to 16 January 1966)
2. General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (16 January 1966 to 29 July 1966)
3. General Yakubu Gowon (1 August 1966 to 29 July 1975)
4. General Murtala Mohammed (29 July 1975 to 13 February 1976)
5. General Obasanjo Olusegun (13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979)
6. President Shehu Shagari (1 October 1979 to 31 December 1983)
7. General Muhammadu Buhari (31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985)
8. General Ibrahim Babangida (27 August 1985 to 26 August 1993)
9. Ernest Shonekan (26 August 1993 to 17 November 1993)
10. General Sani Abacha (17 November 1993 to 8 June 1998)
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar (8 June 1998 to 29 May 1999)
12. Olusegun Obasanjo (29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007)
13. Umaru Musa Yar Adua (29 May 2007 to 5 May 2010)
14. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (29 May 2010 to 29 May 2015)
15. President Muhammadu Buhari (Current President)
Azikiwe Nnamdi (1 October 1963 to 16 January 1966)
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe served as Nigeria’s first President from 1963 to 1966. (Preceded by Queen Elizabeth II and Succeeded by Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi). He was a well-known politician and one of the frontline fighters in the war for Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
As a result, Nnamdi Azikiwe is often referred to as the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism.” Other important figures in Nigeria’s independence include Ahmadu Bello, Herbert Marculey, and Awolowo, among others.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe is a typical Igbo man, despite the fact that he was born in Zungeru, in present-day Niger State. Nnamdi Azikiwe learned to socialize with everyone as he grew up.
2. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, General (16 January 1966 to 29 July 1966)
Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe (Thomas Umunnakwe) is a Aguiyi-Ironsi was Nigeria’s first military head of state. He was born in Nigeria’s Abia State, but spent his childhood in Kano with his sister before joining the Nigerian Regiment at the age of 18. Aguiyi-Ironsi is widely regarded as the leader who established Nigeria’s unitary government. That type of government, however, did not last long.
He was killed on July 29, 1966, because most northerners did not approve of his rule. This resulted in the establishment of Yakubu Gowon’s regime in 1966.
3. General Yakubu Gowon (1 August 1966 – 29 July 1975)
General Yakubu Gowon is another well-known Nigerian leader. At the age of 31, he was Nigeria’s youngest military chief of staff. Yakubu (also known as Jack) is a Nigerian politician who served as the country’s leader during the civil war.
Gowon was a strong, intelligent, and educated leader, according to history. He was born in Plateau State, the fifth of his parents’ eleven children. When it came to sports, he was the best among his contemporaries when he was younger. Gowon was elected as Nigeria’s president of state in 1966. His government established the first 12 states in Nigeria’s history.
4. General Murtala Mohammed is number four (29 July 1975 to 13 February 1976)
Because he was assassinated, General Murtala Mohammed did not last long in authority. In 1975, he became Nigeria’s fourth President, and in 1976, he was assassinated by members of Dimka’s failed coup.
Obasanjo Olusegun seized authority immediately after his death, completing his goal to give over power to a civilian government. Apart from that, Obasanjo implemented numerous reforms in the country in order to achieve General Murtala Mohammed’s vision for the country.
5. Olusegun Obasanjo, General (13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979)
General Obasanjo Olusegun is one of Nigeria’s former governor generals who made significant contributions to the country’s growth and development. He was also known as Baba Africa, and he was involved in the Congo Crisis and the Nigerian Civil War.
In 1958, Obasanjo enlisted in the Nigerian Army. His presidency is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most successful. In actuality, his regime was responsible for the majority of the military’s achievements in Nigeria.
6. Shehu Shagari, President (1 October 1979 to 31 December 1983)
Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was the federal republic of Nigeria’s first elected president. Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari became the country’s first democratically elected president after the power struggle and military coup that succeeded Azikiwe’s rule. Alex Ekwueme was his vice president.
Shehu Usman Shagari entered politics in 1951, according to research. He was one of NPN’s most well-known figures (National Party of Nigeria). Even before he was elected President of Nigeria, he was actively involved in the country’s growth.
7. General Muhammadu Buhari is the seventh president of Nigeria (31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985)
past Nigerian leaders from 1960 to the present day past Nigerian leaders from 1960 to the present day
Muhammadu Buhari is Nigeria’s current president and a former military ruler of the country (1983 to 1985). He was born into a Fulani family in 1942. Buhari was already a student at the Nigerian Military Training College when he was 19 years old (NMTC).
He was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to Platoon Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta when he was 20 years old. During his presidency, Buhari was a crime fighter. He despised corruption and did everything he could to combat it.
8. General Ibrahim Babangida, (27 August 1985 to 26 August 1993)
IBB stands for General Ibrahim Babangida. He was an outstanding Nigerian leader and one of the country’s best military presidents. During his military dictatorship, Babangida deposed Muhammadu Buhari and governed until 1993, when he resigned.
Ibrahim Babangida was born on August 17, 1941, which may surprise you. He was raised by his parents till he enlisted in the Nigerian Army on December 10, 1962.
During Nigeria’s military administration, Babangida was regarded as a main plotter of military coups.
9. Ernest Shonekan, (26 August 1993 to 17 November 1993)
This government arose from the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Babangida turned up control to another president as a result of mounting pressure on him to hand over authority to a civilian government.
According to reports, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan was Nigeria’s first lawyer president. Shonekan was the CEO of the United African Company of Nigeria PLC, a huge Nigerian conglomerate, before being promoted to power.
Moshood Abiola served as the country’s vice president alongside Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan. Until the military intervened, they worked together.
10. Sani Abacha, General (17 November 1993 to 8 June 1998)
Abacha is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most well-known tyrants. He was the country’s military head of state from 1993 to 1998, when he died of a heart attack. Abacha was the platoon and battalion commander during the Civil War. His government was inherently tyrannical.
Abacha’s presidency was unlike any other in Nigeria’s history. In Nigeria and other areas of the world, his policies and judgments were widely panned. That isn’t to say that he didn’t accomplish anything worthwhile throughout his tenure.
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar (8 June 1998 to 29 May 1999)
General Abdulsalami Abubakar is another notable figure in Nigerian history. He was a key figure in the Nigerian Civil War and the violence in South Lebanon in 1978.
Abubakar Jibrin, a well-known figure in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, gave birth to General Abubakar in 1942.
General Abubakar was educated in Nigeria as a young man. In 1963–1966 and 1966–1999, he served in the Nigerian Air Force and Army, respectively.
From 1998 to 1999, Abubakar was the de facto President of Nigeria. After Sani Abacha’s death, he became his successor.
12. Olusegun Obasanjo was the 12th President of Nigeria (29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007)
Even today, Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo is a well-known politician in Nigeria. Baba Africa is his popular moniker. From 1999 to 2007, Obasanjo served as President of Nigeria. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua was his vice at the time.
It may surprise you to learn that he was a devout member of the Peoples Democratic Party before and during his presidency (PDP).
President Obasanjo, according to studies, spent the majority of his first administration traveling abroad. He was able to secure at least some Western support for Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.
13. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (29 May 2007 to 5 May 2010)
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua took over power from Obasanjo after he was declared the winner of the contentious Nigerian presidential election held on 21 April, 2007. Before becoming president of the country, he served as governor of Kastina state.
You may be surprised to learn that Yar’Adua succeeded his father, who was also an active politician. He (his father) was the National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian National Party (NPN).
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has contributed to Nigeria’s development and progress even before assuming the presidency of the federal republic of Nigeria. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1988.
14. Jonathan Ebele, best of luck (29 May 2010 to 29 May 2015)
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan is the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a former governor of Bayelsa state. During Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s presidency, he served as vice president. Following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, ex-President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan committed to continue executing the late president’s seven-point policy framework.
During his reign, the country had one of the world’s best presidents. However, due to the ongoing security issue, some individuals have blamed his government for failing to address the issue.
President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election. He calmly turned over authority to the newly elected president, saying, “Nobody’s ambition is worth any Nigerian’s blood.” Goodluck Jonathan currently serves as the chairperson of the newly formed International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP). He is also known as the Peace Ambassador.
15. President Muhammadu Buhari (2015 – 2023)
President Muhammadu Buhari is the current president of Nigeria’s federal republic. In 2015, he was elected President of Nigeria by the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is seen as a failure by certain citizens.
Some citizens, on the other hand, believe he is doing a fantastic job as president of the country. Professor Yemi Osibajo (a law professor) is the regime’s vice president. President Muhammadu Buhari served as Governor of Bornu State from 3 February 1976 to 15 March 1976, which may be of interest to you.
16. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2023 – date)
President Bola Tinubu was sworn-in as Nigeria’s 16th president on Monday, May 29, 2023.
He takes over from former president Muhammadu Buhari……CONTINUE READING
