Nigerian Leaders
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chairman of the Federal Executive Council, and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces: Umaru Yar’Adua (May 29 2007 – Present)
CURRENT GOVERNMENT – Key Ministers
Vice-President: Goodluck Jonathan
Agriculture and Water Resources: Dr Abba Sayyadi Ruma
Aviation: Mr. Babatunde Omotoba
Culture & Tourism: Bello J. Gada
Defence: Major-General Godwin Abbe (retired)
Education: Dr. Sam Egwu
Environment: John Odeh Ogar
Federal Capital Territory: M.A. Aliero
Finance: Mansur Mukhtar
Foreign Affairs: Ojo Maduekwe
Health: Prof. B. Osotimehin
Information & Communications: Prof. Dora Akunyili
Interior: Dr. Shettima Mustapha
Justice Minister & Attorney-General of the Federation: Michael Kaase Aondoakaa
Labour: Chief A. Kayode
Mines and Steel: Dizeani Allison-Madueke
Niger Delta: Ufot Ekaette
Petroleum: Dr. Rilwanu Lukman
Police Affairs: Dr. I.Y. Lame
Science and Technology: Dr. A. B. Zaku
Special Duties: Ambassador A. Kazaure
Tourism and Culture: Adetokunbo Kayode
Transport: Alhaji Ibrahim Bio
Women’s Affairs: Mrs. S.H. Sulaiman
Works and Housing: Dr. Hassan M. Lawal
Youth Development: Akinlabi Olasunkanmi
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria: Lamido Sanusi
STATE GOVERNORS
People’s Democratic Party: PDP
People’s Progessive Alliance: PPA
Action Congress: AC
All Progressives Grand Alliance: APGA
All Nigeria People’s Party: ANPP
| STATE | GOVERNOR | PARTY |
| Abia | Theodore Orji | PPA |
| Abuja F.C.T. | M.A. Aliero | PDP |
| Adamawa | Murtala Nyako | PDP |
| Akwa Ibom | Godswill Akpabio | PDP |
| Anambra | Peter Obi | APGA |
| Bauchi | Isa Yuguda | ANPP |
| Bayelsa | Timipre Sylva | PDP |
| Benue | Gabriel Suswam | PDP |
| Borno | Ali Modu Sheriff | ANPP |
| Cross River | Liyel Imoke | PDP |
| Delta | Emmanuel Uduaghan | PDP |
| Ebonyi | Martin Elechi | PDP |
| Edo | Adams Oshiomhole | AC |
| Ekiti | Olusegun Oni | PDP |
| Enugu | Sullivan Chime | PDP |
| Gombe | Mohammed Danjuma Goje | PDP |
| Imo | Ikedi Godson Ohakim | PPA |
| Jigawa | Sule Lamido | PDP |
| Kaduna | Mohammed Namadi Sambo | PDP |
| Kano | Ibrahim Shekarau | ANPP |
| Katsina | Ibrahim Shema | PDP |
| Kebbi | Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari | PDP |
| Kogi | Ibrahim Idris | PDP |
| Kwara | Bukola Saraki | PDP |
| Lagos | Babatunde Fashola | AC |
| Nasarawa | Aliyu Doma | PDP |
| Niger | Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu | PDP |
| Ogun | Gbenga Daniel | PDP |
| Ondo | Olusegun Agagu | PDP |
| Osun | Olagunsoye Oyinlola | PDP |
| Oyo | Christopher Alao-Akala | PDP |
| Plateau | Jonah Jang | PDP |
| Rivers | Rotimi Amaechi | PDP |
| Sokoto | Aliyu Wamakko | PDP |
| Taraba | Danbaba Suntari | PDP |
| Yobe | Mamman Bello Ali | ANPP |
| Zamfara | Mahmud Shinkafi | ANPP |
Senior Armed Forces Personnel
Chief of Defence Staff: Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike
Chief of Army Staff: Lt-General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau
Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin
Chief of Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Isaiah Iko Ibrahim
Inspector-General of Police: Ogbonnaya Onovo
UN Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, UN Headquaters – New York: Lt-General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor
PAST LEADERS
Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (October 1 1960 – January 15 1966)
Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (January 16 1966 – July 29 1966)
General Yakubu “Jack” Gowon (August 1 1966 – July 28 1975)
General Murtala Muhammed (July 29 1975 – February 13 1976)
General Olusegun Obasanjo (February 14 1976 – September 30 1979)
Alhaji Shehu Shagari (October 1 1979 – December 31 1983)
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (January 1 1984 – August 26 1985)
General Ibrahim Babangida (August 27 1985-August 26 1993)
Ernest Shonekan (August 27 1993 – November 16 1993)
General Sani Abacha (November 17 1993 – June 7 1998)
General Abdulsalam Abubakar (June 8 1998 – May 28 1999)
Olusegun Obasanjo (May 29 1999 – May 28 2007)
NIGERIAN LEADERS SINCE INDEPENDENCE – SUMMARY
| NAME | ETHNICITY | RELIGION |
| Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa | Hausa | Muslim |
| Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunankwe Aguiyi-Ionsi | Igbo | Christian |
| General Yakubu Cinwa Gowon | Ngas | Christian |
| General Murtala Ramat Muhammed | Hausa | Muslim |
| General Olusegun Matthew Aremu Obasanjo | Yoruba | Christian |
| Alhaji Shehu Shagari | Fulani | Muslim |
| Major-General Muhammadu Buhari | Fulani | Muslim |
| General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida | Gwari | Muslim |
| Chief Ernest Shonekan | Yoruba | Christian |
| General Sani Abacha | Kanuri | Muslim |
| General Abdulsalam Abubakar | Gwari | Muslim |
| General (retired) Olusegun Matthew Aremu Obasanjo | Yoruba | Christian |
| Umaru Yar’Adua | Fulani | Muslim |
youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZuxTi344E8&feature=related
youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5q6AHQ3LHg&feature=related
youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATgazc7YZDw&feature=related
john esaeyin said
one day by GOD’S GRACE i will rule the this country; that i will reduce the militry power to the level of an errand boy and break the power of the emirate. so help me God. Amen.
Hardy Jalloh said
I love the Nigerian fulani political domination.
Cliff said
what has it gotten UUUUU
abdul Azeez said
the fulanis have provided the best precidency this country has seen. and fortunately i believe the best of them is paving the way for the most remarkable political and economic achievements the the continent is yet to see. this country has got a president. iam proud to call him my president where ever i may be
Cliff said
What have you been smoking, I guess the same weed shagari and Yar’Adua have been smoking— Buhari was considerable because Tunde Ideagbon was with him
Soulstar said
Lets not speak like we do not know the ruling history of Nigeria so far. Saying the fulanis have provided the best presidency the country has ever seen is only pulling wool over peoples eyes and masking the reality. None of the presidents have been any good and irrespective of tribe it does not appear that any will ever be good. How can anyone say any president from Nigeria will pave way for the most remarkable political and economic achievement Africa (the continent if some people dont know) has ever seen? What happened to the likes of Mandela and other good leaders who actually did something good for their nations? This is clearly an uninformed statement. We are talking about people who constantly loot their nations wealth, play dangerous political games to stay in power and allow corruption to flourish. What economic achievements I have to ask are we talking about? The strength of the currency hasnt risen (if at all)remarkably in the last thirty odd years. We are still yet to stand by a single product (which we seem to never be able to make amidst all the resources)besides oil that the whole world needs and are willing to pay for. Our oil wells are run and owned by greedy politicians. The state of the Niger Delta area is an embarrassment. The above response is typical of Nigerians-blowing their trumpets amidst nothing. Yes, if we do not blow our trumpets who else will?very true, but for how long will we continue to decieve ourselves? We talk like the whole world cannot see past our gimmicks. Saying the fulanis have provided the best presidency is only allowing mediocrity to stand once again. I am proud to be a NIgerian by saying Nigerian I mean born in Nigeria but I am not proud of any of our leaders. The have helped create a bad name for all Nigerians worldwide making the average Nigerian stereotyped whereever he goes. They have caused many Nigerians to seek better lives outside their own country while they lavish in wealth and splendour. Please do not be like the animals in the book animal farm who failed to realise the tricks of the Napoleon the pig until it was too late. Condemn bad governorship and presidency alike, dont just follow blindly.
aDEKUNLE said
Men,Apart from say shagari,Obasanjo and Gowon, i think that man called ibrahim bbangida should be charged for war against humanity and atrocities against the Nigeria state. He should not be accorded the leeway of trial,but summarily executed. He and his gaddemn family’s goin get their comeuppance someday!
farouk Borgu said
Our country Nigeria is improving day after day therefore lets pray 4 our leaders and the country instead of critisizing.
A A Bamalli said
Nigeria is a great country in d world and a hero in Africa with wealth beyond thinking. But unfortunately our are not helping matter to a poor Nigerian.
Mustapha Yau said
The Nigerian masses are the biggest problem in the country, why? Because they dont know themselves and they dont understand things is like they are living in a blind world.
ademu kebiru said
i will like to see the orther photos.like the way i see orther sir.good day
doctor said
all citizens of nigeria need a change in the life and we need to remove starvation,unempolyment of our country..
to fight tribalism and regionalism and to declare that action unconstitional..
and secondly,our president should tried his possible best to fight corruption and all this vip’s of waste in the government parastals and they are not helping this country but only enriching themselves and starve the nation..
with the clean up our country can be able to do something with other countries…
i love my country nigeria and i have no other country expect nigeria…
haji mustafa
arigbabu ayodeji said
until we have leaders like President F.D Rosevellt of US who learnt to seperate politics from Governance We are really not going anywhere in Nigeria the office of a president or governor is not just a political one it is a Government post and these offices constitute the top civil service positions in our country and it must be sensitive to the plight of their supporters, opposition and the people in General. We are in a democracy and it is Government of the people by the people and for the people not government of a selected few party members and supporters of the ruling party let our leaders cross party and tribal lines and explore the “AUDACITY OF UNITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE” let the change begin with you. let us play Governance when holding public office and not Politics. The problem with this nation is that of change it is time for us to change the way we think, the way we talk and the way we treat each other. The common man on the street would say leadership is our greatest problem even a past leader (Head of state) once gave a lecture on leadership in Nigeria and he citited leadership as one of the problems of this country, the question is who exactly is the leader… there is a need to change our mentality and do the right thing in our capacity as leaders and followers respectively. We are the collective problem, let us be the change we desire it starts with little things like showing love and giving hope. U are the Hope of Nigeria. Be the Change…
Ahmad Abubakar Aliyu Jos said
Nigeria is a great nation full of hopes and opportunities, let the leaders show her youth how Nigeria was and how it is now
Chika Enemuo said
I really agree with you
Foresythe said
The Ibos started it all, killed Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba leaders in 1966 and expected to get away with it.
Cliff said
I think you are a very stupid fellow, what have that got to do with mis-management and out right theft, I am not ibo or what ever you call it we are talking about looting that cuts across all ethic groups that is strangling the entire nation, mostly the northern Fulani and Hausa people — the most under-developed under-educated part of Nigeria.
SS said
Pls Cliff, why using words like “st—d” against someone.
Eyaefe said
We don’t have any leader in Nigeria. All what we have here are RULERS who specializes in LOOTING public MONEY.
According to our elders, charity begins at home but according to NIGERIA RULERS, CHARITY BEGINS ABROAD.
You can imagine, JAMES IBORI ONLY ONE PERSON LOOTED OVER 25 BILLION NAIRA. TO DO WHAT? and there are no places for graduate to work
its a pity
Eyaefe Gabriel said
We don’t have leaders in Nigeria, we only have RULERS that specializes in LOOTING public MONEY to satisfy their selfish desire.
According to our elders, charity begins at home, but according to the NIGERIAN RULERS< CHARITY BEGINS ABROAD.
Olatinwo adedayo said
This is simply a great site we are proud of you,can I please have the history and pictures of the past governors in Kwara state please .
Thank you.
SAMAILA said
I LIKE BUHARI MORE THAN OBASANJO
SAMAILA said
SAID WATER FREE , HEALTH FREE WE DIDINT SEE ANY ONE IN ……………………………
Daniel said
IT IS NOT A MATTER OF HAVING 7POINT AGENDA, BUT AT LIST ACHIEVING 1POINT THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT CITIZEN GET WHAT THEY DESERV
Anonymous said
nIgERIA DON CAST…….everywhere crimes d only good thing u can get from a nigerian is a criminal action from one grade to another………
now bank robberies have subsided a little,the new line of action is internet fraud, credit cards crimes and so 4th and so on.
Dyk said
The greatest problem in nigeria is tribalism
Uche said
The Ndi Igbo are always made the scapegoat and I am sick and tired of it. If people hate the Ndi Igbo so much, allow us to secede and form our own nation.
I didn’t see Nnamdi Azikiwe in that list. Why snub that great man?
Ken Jean said
Nigerian and its leaders,past and present will never have peace unless they allowed igbos the people of the eastern PART to take some shots in the leadership of this Nation.
NKEIKRU said
Nigeria is a rich nation with successive unproductive leaders.It use to be the giant of Africa, but now the least in the whole of Africa.Do you know that one might fine it very easy to travelle to other western states with other african counties passport but once you present nigerian passport you come a suspect. This is because of bad leaders.Nigeria is a country where crimials,419’s are preffered to be in high and strategic positons than the best qulified.
Chika Enemuo said
Our country Nigeria is a great country but sometimes it looks like our (rulers) not leaders are the one enjoying our money while the poor ones suffer. God help us.
Chika Enemuo said
Our country Nigeria is a great country but sometimes it looks like our rulers (not leaders) are the one enjoying our money while the poor ones suffer. God help us.
Abdulrashid Sifawa said
Nigeria is a great nation with great people. Nigeria is going 2b great but we need a strong spiritual intervention.
God pls helf us.
tapshak said
SO far nigeria is almost 50 years old but to my total dismay,just but a little progress has been made since independence,the reason is simple,it’s because our so called leaders who ruled after the first republic,to date are full of greed,selfishness,and sort of atrocities one could think of.Therefore posterity will certainly live to judge those who feel they will cheat and go free.
Abubakar Aminu Hussain said
I have confidence in Nigeria that one day it would answer its name,either we are alive or not,inshaAllah.But we have to be realistic and patriotic about our Country.We have to always put this thing on mind that we have no other country than Nigeria.So lets save Nigeria from all those Black guards and villains of the peace, that don’t want see any one going free and happy,except they own children.Lets pray for Nigeria!Abubakar Aminu Hussain, Kano Nigeria.
Yinka Fernandez said
Good comments, but I feel the editor of this political fraud has something to hide. I am a learned journalist, and do not think that any sound mind would ever compile a history of Nigerian leaders without a conspicous positing of Nigeria’s first president, Tafawa Balewa’s own president Nnamdi Azikiwe. Though I am not Ibo, I honestly feel that people making these deliberate ommissions are sabotaging the truth of Nigerian history, and are the major problems of Nigeria. Just as guilty as some of the criminals they have just listed.