President of Nigeria
| President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria |
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| Executive Branch of the federal government | |
| Style |
Mr. President His Excellency |
| Member of | Federal Executive Council National Security Council |
| Residence | Aso Rock Presidential Villa |
| Seat | Abuja, F.C.T. |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Four years renewable once |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Nigeria |
| Formation | October 1, 1963 |
| First holder |
Nnamdi Azikiwe October 1, 1963 |
| Salary | ₦14,000,000 ($70,351) annually |
| Website | www |
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the head of state and head of the national executive of Nigeria. The President of Nigeria is also the commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The first President of Nigeria was Nnamdi Azikiwe. The current President, Muhammadu Buhari, took office on 29 May 2015.
On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain. An all-Nigerian Executive Council was headed by a Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. On November 16, 1960, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, became the first Governor-General of a Federation of three Regions of the North, East and West, with Lagos as the Federal Capital. Each of the Regions was headed by a Premier with a Governor as Ceremonial Head. On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a Federal Republic and severed whatever ties were left with Britain. Nigeria decided, however, to remain in the British Commonwealth of Nations. The Governor-General's position was, therefore, re-designated as President.
In January 1966, a group of army officers, led by Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, overthrew the central and regional governments, killed the prime minister, and tried to take control of the government in a failed coup d'état. Nzeogwu was countered, captured and imprisoned by General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. General Aguiyi-Ironsi was named Military Head of State.
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, General Yakubu Gowon as the head of the new military government.
In 1975, General Yakubu Gowon was deposed and General Murtala Mohammed was the Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria until his assassination in 1976.
In 1976, General Olusegun Obasanjo was made head of state in a meeting of the Supreme Military Council. Keeping the chain of command established by Murtala Muhammed in place.
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Wikipedia