How many presidents have ruled Nigeria since 1960?

Since Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, the country has been led by a series of presidents and military rulers.

As of 2023, Nigeria has had a total of 16 leaders, including both elected presidents and military heads of state.

Here’s a brief overview of these leaders:

1. Nnamdi Azikiwe (1963-1966) – The first President of Nigeria, serving during the First Republic, with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa as Prime Minister.
2. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966) – Took power following a military coup but was assassinated the same year.
3. General Yakubu Gowon (1966-1975) – Led during the Nigerian Civil War and was overthrown in a bloodless coup.
4. General Murtala Mohammed (1975-1976) – Came to power via a coup but was assassinated in 1976.
5. General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979) – Assumed leadership following Murtala Mohammed’s assassination and handed over power to a civilian government.
6. Shehu Shagari (1979-1983) – The first executive president during the Second Republic, overthrown by a military coup.
7. Major General Muhammadu Buhari (1983-1985) – Led a military government after overthrowing Shagari but was later ousted in another coup.
8. General Ibrahim Babangida (1985-1993) – Ruled after a coup, annulled the 1993 elections, and eventually stepped aside.
9. Chief Ernest Shonekan (1993) – Led an interim government that was short-lived, overthrown by a military coup.
10. General Sani Abacha (1993-1998) – Took power after Shonekan and ruled until his death.
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999) – Succeeded Abacha and oversaw the transition to civilian rule.
12. Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) – Elected president in the Fourth Republic, serving two terms.
13. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010) – Won the presidency but died in office.
14. Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015) – Succeeded Yar’Adua and was later elected for a full term.
15. Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023) – Elected president, marking his return to power after serving as a military ruler decades earlier.
16. Bola Tinubu (2023-present) – The current president as of the latest update.

These leaders have navigated Nigeria through various phases of its political and socio-economic evolution, including military rule, democratic transitions, and significant policy changes.