Nigerian States That Produced Presidents/Heads Of State

Main Common Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, from Umuahia in Abia State, turned Head of State on January 16, 1966, after Nigeria’s first coup. He dominated for simply six months earlier than he was assassinated on July 29, 1966. Aguiyi-Ironsi was the primary army head of state, symbolising a turbulent shift from democracy to army rule.

3. Plateau State – Yakubu Gowon

• Born: October 19, 1934

• Head of State From: August 1, 1966 – July 29, 1975

• Age at Assumption: 31

• Standing: Nonetheless alive as of July 2025.

Common Yakubu Gowon, from Plateau State, turned Head of State at simply 31, the youngest in Nigeria’s historical past, following Ironsi’s assassination. He dominated from August 1966 to July 1975. Gowon led the nation in the course of the Nigerian Civil Struggle and promoted the “No victor, no vanquished” coverage post-war.

RELATED: 5 Nigerian governors accused of corruption but never convicted

4. Kano State – Common Murtala Mohammed

• Born: November 8, 1938

• Head of State From: July 29, 1975 – February 13, 1976

• Age at Assumption: 36

• Died: Assassinated in Lagos throughout an tried coup on February 13, 1976.

Common Murtala Mohammed turned a pacesetter via a cold coup that ousted Gowon. He was recognized for his daring reforms, together with civil service overhauls. He’s remembered as a martyr of management integrity. He was assassinated barely seven months later, on February 13, 1976.

5. Ogun State – Common Olusegun Obasanjo (Army Period)

• Born: March 5, 1937

• Head of State From: February 13, 1976 – October 1, 1979

• Age at Assumption: 38

• Standing: Nonetheless alive as of July 2025.

Olusegun Obasanjo (from Abeokuta) first turned Head of State in 1976 after Murtala’s assassination. He took over after Murtala Mohammed’s assassination and was the primary army chief to voluntarily hand over energy to a civilian authorities. He returned as a civilian president 20 years later.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Nigeria’s First Ladies From 1999: — Who’s your favourite?

6. Sokoto State – Alhaji Shehu Shagari

• Born: February 25, 1925

• President From: October 1, 1979 – December 31, 1983

• Age at Assumption: 54

• Died: December 28, 2018, at age 93.

Shehu Shagari turned Nigeria’s first govt civilian President on October 1, 1979. Shagari’s presidency was reduce brief by a coup regardless of efforts to enhance schooling and infrastructure. His civilian-led democratic transition marked a milestone. He was re-elected in 1983 however was overthrown by the army on December 31, 1983.

7. Katsina State – Main Common Muhammadu Buhari (Army Period)

• Born: December 17, 1942

• Head of State From: December 31, 1983 – August 27, 1985

• Age at Assumption: 41

• Died: 13 July 2025, at age 82

Muhammadu Buhari turned army Head of State after ousting Shagari in 1983. Buhari’s regime was marked by an anti-corruption campaign and strict self-discipline, but in addition human rights criticisms. He would later return as a civilian president a long time later.

8. Niger State – Common Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida

• Born: August 17, 1941

• Head of State From: August 27, 1985 – August 26, 1993

• Age at Assumption: 44

• Standing: Nonetheless alive as of July 2025.

Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Buhari in a palace coup and have become Head of State in 1985 and dominated till he controversially annulled the 1993 elections. IBB presided over a controversial period of structural adjustment and plunged Nigeria into political uncertainty.

9. Ogun State – Chief Ernest Shonekan

• Born: Could 9, 1936

• Head of Interim Govt: August 26, 1993 – November 17, 1993

• Age at Assumption: 57

• Died: January 11, 2022, at age 85.

Shonekan led Nigeria throughout one in all its most unstable durations. His brief rule was terminated by Abacha’s coup. Ernest Shonekan, additionally from Ogun, led the interim authorities from August 26 to November 17, 1993. He was appointed by Babangida to steer the transitional authorities.

10. Kano State – Common Sani Abacha

• Born: September 20, 1943

• Head of State From: November 17, 1993 – June 8, 1998

• Age at Assumption: 50

• Died: June 8, 1998, reportedly of a coronary heart assault.

Sani Abacha assumed energy on November 17, 1993, after a army coup ousting Ernest Shonekan. He dominated till his sudden loss of life in June 1998. Kano has produced two of Nigeria’s most controversial army leaders. Abacha is often critiqued for human rights abuses regardless of financial stabilisation efforts.

11. Niger State – Common Abdulsalami Abubakar

• Born: June 13, 1942

• Head of State From: June 9, 1998 – Could 29, 1999

• Age at Assumption: 55

• Standing: Nonetheless alive as of July 2025.

Abdulsalami Abubakar succeeded Abacha in 1998 and handed over energy to Obasanjo in 1999. He organized Nigeria’s swift return to democracy.

12. Ogun State – Olusegun Obasanjo (Civilian Period)

• President From: Could 29, 1999 – Could 29, 2007

• Age at Second Assumption: 62

• Standing: Nonetheless alive.

Obasanjo received the 1999 democratic elections. As a civilian president, Obasanjo oversaw main financial reforms, debt reduction, and cellular telecom development. Ogun State has contributed two heads of state throughout each civilian and army eras, marking it a politically important state in Nigeria’s southwest.

13. Katsina State – Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

• Born: August 16, 1951

• President From: Could 29, 2007 – Could 5, 2010

• Age at Assumption: 55

• Died: Could 5, 2010, after a protracted sickness.

He was elected in 2007. Yar’Adua was revered for his humility and dedication to the rule of legislation. He initiated electoral reform however died in workplace. Katsina State has the excellence of manufacturing each army and civilian presidents, highlighting its sustained political affect in northern Nigeria.

14. Bayelsa State – Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan