Nigerian heads of state since independence

Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa	1960 - 1966
Chief Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe	October 1, 1963 – January 16, 1966
Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi	January 16, 1966 – July 29, 1966
General Yakubu Gowon	August 1, 1966 – July 29, 1975
General Murtala Ramat Mohammed	July 29, 1975 – February 13, 1976
General Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo	February 13, 1976 – October 1, 1979
Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari	October 1, 1979 – December 31, 1983
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari	December 31, 1983 – August 27, 1985
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida	August 27, 1985 – August 27, 1993
Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan	August 26, 1993 – November 17, 1993
General Sani Abacha	November 17, 1993 – June 8, 1998
General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd.)	June 9, 1998 – May 29, 1999
General (rtd.) Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo	May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua	29 May 2007 - 5 May 2010
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan ( Acting President)	9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan	6 May 2010 - 29 May 2015
Muhammadu Buhari	29 May 2015 - Present