| President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria | |
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| Style | Mr. President His Excellency |
| Type | |
| Abbreviation | POFRON |
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| Residence | Aso Rock Presidential Villa |
| Seat | Abuja, F.C.T. |
| Appointer | Direct popular election or via succession fromvice presidency |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Nigeria |
| Formation | 1 October 1963 (62 years ago) (1963-10-01) |
| First holder | Nnamdi Azikiwe |
| Salary | ₦500,000,000/US$ 310,774 annually[1][2] |
| Website | www |
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 Nigeria portal |
Thepresident of Nigeria, officially thepresident of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is thehead of state andhead of government of theFederal Republic of Nigeria. The president directs theexecutive branch of theFederal Government and is thecommander-in-chief of theNigerian Armed Forces.
The offices, powers, and titles of the head of state and the head of government were officially merged into the office of the presidency under the1979 Constitution of Nigeria.
Executive power is vested in the president. The power includes the execution and enforcement of federal law and the responsibility to appoint federal executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers. Based on constitutional provisions empowering the president to appoint and receive ambassadors and conclude treaties with foreign powers, and on subsequent laws enacted by theHouse, the presidency has primary responsibility for conducting foreignpolicy.[3]
The president also plays a leading role in federal legislation and domestic policymaking. As part of the system ofseparation of powers, the Constitution gives the president the power to sign orveto federal legislation. Presidents are typically viewed as leaders of their political parties, major policy making is significantly shaped by the outcome of presidential elections.The president isdirectly elected in national elections to a four-year term, along with thevice president.
Bola Tinubu is the16th and current president of Nigeria, havingassumed office on 29 May 2023.[4][5]
On 1 October 1960,Nigeria gained independence from Britain. An all-Nigerian Executive Council was headed by theprime minister, Alhaji SirAbubakar Tafawa Balewa. On 16 November 1960,Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first governor-general of a federation of three regions of the north, east and west, withLagos as the Federal Capital. Each of the regions was headed by apremier with a governor asceremonial head. The governors and governor-general represented thequeen of Nigeria,Elizabeth II. On 1 October 1963, Nigeria became afederal republic thereby abolishingits monarchy, but remained a member of theCommonwealth of Nations. An amendment to the 1960 Independence Constitution replaced the office of thegovernor-general with that of the president. Nnamdi Azikwe was sworn into that office on 1 October 1963.[6] The office at that time was primarily ceremonial, and the main duties of the president mainly concerned receiving foreign dignitaries and opening Parliament.
In aJanuary 1966 failed coup d'état, a group of army officers, led by MajorChukwuma Nzeogwu, overthrew the federal and regional governments, killed the prime minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and tried to take control of the government. Nzeogwu was countered, captured, and imprisoned by the Army general officer commanding Major GeneralJohnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. Aguiyi-Ironsi was named Military Head of State.[7]
In July 1966, a group of northern army officers revolted against the government, killed General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, and appointed the army chief of staff, Lieutenant ColonelYakubu Gowon as the head of the new military government.[8]
In 1975, General Yakubu Gowon was deposed and BrigadierMurtala Mohammed was made head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria until his assassination in 1976.[9] Upon his death, the chief-of-staff, Supreme Headquarters (equivalent to avice president) GeneralOlusegun Obasanjo assumed office as head of state in a meeting of theSupreme Military Council, keeping thechain of command established by GeneralMurtala Muhammed in place. General Obasanjo was responsible for completing the democratic transition begun by his predecessor, which culminated inan election in August 1979.[10]
In 1979, Nigeria adopted afederalpresidential constitution. The presidency became an executive post, with powers similar to those of its American counterpart. The legislature was a bicameralNational Assembly, comprising aSenate andHouse of Representatives.
On 1 October 1979, after more than 13 years of military rule, Nigeria returned to democratic rule. TheNational Party of Nigeria emerged victorious in the presidential election andShehu Shagari became the first democratically elected president.[11]
On 31 December 1983, the military overthrew the Second Republic. Major GeneralMuhammadu Buhari emerged as the chairman of theSupreme Military Council (SMC), the new head of state.[12]
In August 1985, General Buhari's government was peacefully overthrown by the Army chief of staff, Major GeneralIbrahim Babangida. Babangida became the president and chairman of theArmed Forces Ruling Council.
On 26 August 1993, General Babangida stepped down and chose an interim government to replace him.Ernest Shonekan was named as interim head of state.[13] GeneralSani Abacha seized power from Shonekan on 17 November 1993, and became head of state and chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council.[14]
On 8 June 1998, General Abacha died at thepresidential villa in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.[15][16][17][18][19][20] Major GeneralAbdulsalami Abubakar became the new head of state and chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council.[21][22][20][23]
On 29 May 1999, General Abdulsalami Abubakar stepped down,[24] and handed over power to a former military head of state,Olusegun Obasanjo, after beingelected some months prior. Obasanjo served two terms in office.
On 29 May 2007,Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 13th head of state completing the first successful transition of power, from one democratically elected president to another in Nigeria.[25][26][27] Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010 at the presidential villa, inAbuja, Nigeria, becoming the second head of state to die there after GeneralSani Abacha.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
On 6 May 2010, Vice PresidentGoodluck Jonathan was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 14th head of state.[35][36][37][38][39][40]
On 29 May 2015,Muhammadu Buhari, a former military head of state was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 15th head of state after winning thegeneral election.[41][42][43][44][45][46] He also served two terms in office.
On 29 May 2023,Bola Tinubu was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 16th head of state after winning the2023 Nigerian general election.[47]
The president of Nigeria is elected using a modifiedtwo-round system with up to three rounds. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive aplurality of the votes, as well as over 25% of the vote in at least 24 of the36 states and theFederal Capital Territory. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a majority of votes in the highest number of states. In the second round, a candidate still must receive the most votes, as well as over 25% of the vote in at least 24 of the36 states and theFederal Capital Territory in order to be elected. If neither candidate passes this threshold, a third round will be held, where asimple majority of the votes is required to be elected.[48]
Presidential candidates run for office with a running mate, their party's candidate for vice president.
Chapter VI, Part I, Section 131 of the constitution states that a person may be qualified for election of the office of the president if:[49]
A person who meets the above qualifications is still disqualified from holding the office of the president if:
TheConstitution of Nigeria specifies an oath of office for the president of the federation. The oath is administered by thechief justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the person for the time being appointed to exercise the functions of that office:[51]
I do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God.
The president of Nigeria bears ultimate authority over theNigerian Armed Forces as itscommander-in-chief, in which the president issues military directives, makes defence policy and appoints the high command like theChief of Defence Staff.
The president determines theforeign relations of Nigeria, and represents the state in international relations, conducts negotiations and signsratification documents.
The president is anex officio grandcommander in the Order of the Federal Republic.
There is a four year tenure with a two-term limit for the president in theConstitution of Nigeria. There was an attempt to modify the term limits in 2006 for Obasanjo, but it did not materialize.[52]
The president of Nigeria lives and works in theAso Rock Presidential Villa.
The protection of the President of Nigeria is coordinated by multiple agencies, primarily theState Security Service (SSS), thePresidential Guards Brigade, and theNigerian Air Force. These agencies receive additional support from specialized units within theNigeria Police Force.
State Security Service (SSS)
The SSS is responsible for the personal protection of senior government officials and other designated individuals, including:
Additionally, the SSS provides protection to all individuals in thepresidential line of succession.
Presidential Guards Brigade
ThePresidential Guards Brigade, also known as the Brigade of Guards, is a specialized unit of theNigerian Army tasked with:
This brigade operates outside the conventional military command structure and reports directly to the presidency.[53]
Security During Transit
When the President is traveling by air, security is coordinated between the Nigerian Air Force and the SSS. The Air Force manages the presidential aircraft, airspace surveillance, and aerial defense, while the SSS provides onboard protection.
During land-based movements, the SSS oversees the President’s security, utilizing a fleet of armored vehicles for secure transportation during both official and private engagements. The Nigerian Air Force may provide aerial surveillance and support during these movements.
Presidential Motorcade
The presidential motorcade typically includes around 30 vehicles, organized to ensure secure and efficient movement.[54] Common components include:
Responsibility for vehicle maintenance is divided between agencies: the SSS manages the President’s main vehicles, while the Presidential Guards Brigade is responsible for supporting convoy vehicles.
During land-based movements, theState Security Service (SSS) is responsible for the President’s security, supported by a fleet of armored vehicles used for both official and private engagements. TheNigerian Air Force may provide aerial surveillance and support when required. Close protection is carried out by SSS personnel, in coordination with thePresidential Guards Brigade and specialized units of the Mobile Police Force.
Historically, theMercedes-Benz S-Class has served as the most commonly used state car due to its combination of cutting-edge security features and executive-level comfort.[55]
However, following his inauguration in 2023,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu opted for an armoredCadillac Escalade as his official vehicle.[54] TheNigerian Air Force provides for the aerial transport of the president. As at 2024, the presidential air fleet consists of:
a. ABoeing Business Jet (BBJ 737)
b. ADassault Falcon 7X Jet
c. Two Gulfstream Jets (500 and550)
d. TwoAW-189 helicopters[56][57]
| Presidential elections | |
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| Senate elections | |
| House elections | |
| Gubernatorial elections | |
| State elections | |
| Local elections | |
| Referendums | |
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| Queen (1960–1963) |  | |
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| President of theFirst Republic (1963–1966) | ||
| Military regime (1966–1979) | ||
| President of theSecond Republic (1979–1983) | ||
| Military regime (1983–1999) | ||
| President of theFourth Republic (from 1999) | ||
*Civilian; headed transition to abortiveThird Republic | ||
