The office of the Vice Presidents of Nigeria was established with the inception of the Nigerian Second Republic in 1979. Prior to this, Nigeria had a parliamentary system of government, and during the military regimes, the structure of government did not include a vice presidency in the conventional sense. Instead, roles like the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters were often regarded as second-in-command positions.
The position of Vice President was formally created in 1979 under Nigeria’s first presidential constitution, with Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme serving as the first Vice President alongside President Shehu Shagari. This marked Nigeria’s shift to a presidential system of government, inspired by the U.S. model, where the Vice President would serve as the second-highest executive officer in the country.
Related: List of Nigeria Past Presidents
Suggested: An Overview of Nigeria Political System
List of Vice Presidents of Nigeria
| Nr. | Vice President Name | VP D.O.B | President Served With | VP Political Party | VP Assumed Office | VP Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Kashim Shettima | 2 Sept 1966 | Bola Ahmed Tinubu | APC | May 29, 2023 | Current |
| 13 | Yemi Osinbajo | 8 Mar. 1957 | Muhammadu Buhari | APC | May 29, 2015 | May 29, 2023 |
| 12 | Namadi Sambo | 2 Aug. 1954 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | PDP | 19 May 2010 | May 29, 2015 |
| 11 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | 20 Nov. 1957 | Umaru Musa Yar Adua | PDP | May 29, 2007 | May 5, 2010 |
| 10 | Atiku Abubakar | 25 Nov. 1946 | Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo | PDP | May 29, 1999 | May 29, 2007 |
| 09 | Mike Akhigbe | 29 Sept 1946 | Abdulsalami Abubakar | Military | June 9, 1998 | May 29, 1999 |
| 08 | Lt. General Oladipo Diya | 3 April 1944 | Sani Abacha | Military | Nov 17, 1993 | June 8, 1998 |
| 07 | Augustus Aikhomu | 20 October 1939 | Ibrahim Babangida | Military | Aug 27, 1985 | Aug 26, 1993 |
| 06 | Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe | 26 October 1940 | Ibrahim Babangida | Military | 27 Aug 1985 | October 1986 |
| 05 | Tunde Idiagbon | 14 Sep. 1942 | Muhammadu Buhari | Military | Dec 31, 1983 | Aug 27. 1985 |
| 04 | Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme | 21 October 1932 | Alhaji Shehu Shagari | NPN | Oct 1, 1979 | Dec 31, 1983 |
| 03 | Shehu Musa Yar’Adua | 5 Mar. 1943 | Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo | Military | Feb 13, 1976 | Oct 1, 1979 |
| 02 | Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey | 6 Mar. 1918 | Yakubu Gowon | Military | Aug 1, 1966 | July 29, 1975 |
| 01 | Babafemi Ogundipe | 6 Sept 1924 | Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi | Military | Jan 16, 1966 | July 29, 1966 |
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list of the Vice Presidents of Nigeria who have served in Nigeria since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
| Nr. | VP Name | VP Tenure | President Served Under | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alhaji Atiku Abubakar | May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007 | Olusegun Obasanjo | PDP |
| 2 | Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | May 29, 2007 – May 5, 2010 | Umaru Musa Yar’Adua | PDP |
| 3 | Architect Namadi Sambo | May 19, 2010 – May 29, 2015 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | PDP |
| 4 | Prof. Yemi Osinbajo | May 29, 2015 – May 29, 2023 | Muhammadu Buhari | APC |
| 5 | Senator Kashim Shettima | May 29, 2023 – Present | Bola Ahmed Tinubu | APC |
FAQs About Vice Presidents of Nigeria
Vice Presidents of Nigeria
The first Vice President of Nigeria was Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who served from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari.
The Vice President of Nigeria is elected on a joint ticket with the President. During general elections, voters cast a single vote for both the President and Vice President.
Yes, the Vice President can become the President if the current President resigns, dies, or is otherwise unable to continue in office, as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.
As of 2024, the current Vice President of Nigeria is Kashim Shettima, serving alongside President Bola Tinubu.
The Vice President's primary duties include assisting the President in governing the country, taking on specific portfolios assigned by the President, and acting as the President when the President is unable to perform their duties.
Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has had 14 Vice Presidents up to 2024.
Yes, the Vice President can be removed from office through impeachment by the National Assembly if found guilty of gross misconduct.
If the Vice President resigns or dies in office, the President is required to nominate a new Vice President, subject to approval by the Nigerian Senate.
The longest-serving Vice President in Nigeria was Atiku Abubakar, who served from 1999 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Yes, Goodluck Jonathan became President after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in 2010.
No, the Vice President is not the Senate President. The Vice President is part of the executive branch, while the Senate President is the head of the legislative arm of government.
Yes, the Vice President of Nigeria has an official residence located in the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
No, the Vice President is not allowed to hold any other public office or position of profit while serving in office, as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.
The Vice President of Nigeria serves a term of four years, alongside the President, and can be re-elected for a second term.
Nigeria's First Republic (1963-1966) did not have a Vice President. The role was created during the Second Republic.
Nigeria does not have a position known as the "Deputy President." The Vice President serves as the second-highest executive official, whereas the term "Deputy President" usually refers to positions in legislative bodies, such as the Deputy Senate President.
Nigeria has not yet had a female Vice President.
No Vice President of Nigeria has been impeached as of 2024.
