Presidents of Nigeria

Below are notable presidents of Nigeria in chronological order, with the years each served and a brief summary.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Served: 1976–1979, 1999–2007

Became military head of state in 1976 after Murtala Muhammed's assassination and handed power to civilians in 1979; returned as elected president in 1999.

Shehu Shagari

Served: 1979–1983

First elected executive president of Nigeria; ousted in the coup of 31 December 1983.

Muhammadu Buhari

Served: 1983–1985, 2015–2023

Military head of state from 1983 until he was deposed in 1985; later elected president for two terms. He died in 2025.

Ibrahim Babangida

Served: 1985–1993

Military president who annulled the June 1993 election and then stepped down in August 1993.

Ernest Shonekan

Served: 1993

Led the interim government for just 83 days before being deposed by Sani Abacha.

Sani Abacha

Served: 1993–1998

Military ruler who seized power in November 1993; died in office in June 1998.

Abdulsalami Abubakar

Served: 1998–1999

Took over after Abacha's death and oversaw the handover to civilian rule on 29 May 1999.

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua

Served: 2007–2010

Elected in 2007; died in office on 5 May 2010.

Goodluck Jonathan

Served: 2010–2015

Vice president who succeeded Yar'Adua, then won the 2011 election and served until May 2015.

Bola Tinubu

Served: 2023–present

Took office on 29 May 2023 and is the current president of Nigeria.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Nigeria (checked Nov 2026). Last reviewed November 2026.

Explore other countries

Egypt · Ghana · Ivory Coast · Kenya · Liberia · Senegal · Sierra Leone · South Africa · Tanzania · Uganda · Zimbabwe ·