Nigeria operates a two-tier honours system. Whereas the national honours of Nigeria are within the gift of the Federal Government itself, titles in the Nigerian chieftaincy system fall under the purview of the monarchs of the sub-national traditional states of the country. A number of the Heads of State that have served since Independence in 1960 have therefore held such traditional titles, either due to their hereditary background or to their personal achievement.

Monarch (1960–1963) The succession to the Nigerian throne was the same as the succession to the British one.

Queen of Nigeria Reign Royal House Title Portrait Name Start End Duration 1 Elizabeth II 1 October 1960 1 October 1963 years Windsor Although the Queen's royal styles and titles in Nigeria were "Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Nigeria and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth",Royal Styles and Title Act, 1961, quoted in she didn't formally receive any Nigerian traditional titles. However, her official title of "Queen of Nigeria" was often translated into the national languages of the country during her reign (for example, Yoruba: Oba Obirin ti Ile Naijiria).

Governor-General The Governor-General was the representative of the monarch in Nigeria and exercised most of the powers of the monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the monarch.

Governor-General Term of office Monarch Title Name Took office Left office Time in office 1 Sir James Robertson 1 October 1960 16 November 1960 Elizabeth II No traditional title known. 2 Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe 16 November 1960 1 October 1963 Elizabeth II Dr. Azikiwe was the Oziziani Obi of Onitsha, this being a personal chieftaincy title. He would later receive a hereditary title after leaving office.The African Scene, a column on page 40 of the magazine Negro Digest, cover dated April, 1964.

First Republic (1963–1966) Under the 1963 Constitution, the first constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria ran the parliamentary system of government with a prime minister and the President replacing the monarch as ceremonial head of state.

President Term of office Political party Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office1 Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe 1 October 1963 16 January 1966 National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons Dr. Azikiwe was the Oziziani Obi of Onitsha.The African Scene, a column on page 40 of the magazine Negro Digest, cover dated April, 1964.

Military rule (1966–1979) In 1966, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu led a bloody coup d'état which overthrew the First Nigerian Republic.

Head of state Term of office Military Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office2 Major GeneralJohnson Aguiyi-Ironsi 16 January 1966 29 July 1966 Federal Military Government No traditional title known3 GeneralYakubu Gowon 1 August 1966 29 July 1975 Federal Military Government No traditional title known4 GeneralMurtala Mohammed 29 July 1975 13 February 1976 Federal Military Government No traditional title known (although General Mohammed's mother was a member of the Jobawa clan, a Kano dynasty that provides the Makama of Kano on a hereditary basis)5 GeneralOlusegun Obasanjo 13 February 1976 1 October 1979 Federal Military Government No traditional title at the time

Second Republic (1979–1983) Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, the President was head of both state and government.

President Term of office Political party Elected Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office6 Alhaji Shehu Shagari 1 October 1979 31 December 1983 National Party of Nigeria 19791983 In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, Alhaji Shagari held that of the Turaki of Sokoto.

Military rule (1983–1993) Major-General Muhammadu Buhari led a coup d'état which overthrew President Shagari and his government.

Head of state Term of office Military Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office7 Major GeneralMuhammadu Buhari 31 December 1983 27 August 1985 Supreme Military Council No traditional title at the time8 GeneralIbrahim Babangida 27 August 1985 26 August 1993 Armed Forces Ruling Council No traditional title known

Interim National Government (1993) Following the annulment of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election which terminated the transition to the Third Nigerian Republic, General Babangida resigned from office. He signed a decree establishing the Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

President Term of office Political party(at time of start of term) Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office9 Chief Ernest Shonekan 26 August 1993 17 November 1993 Independent In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, Chief Shonekan held that of the Abese of Egbaland.

Military rule (1993–1999) In November 1993, General Sani Abacha overthrew the interim government, and ruled the country with an iron fist thereafter. In 1998, following Abacha's death, General Abdulsalami Abubakar became head of state and ushered in the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

Head of state Term of office Military Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office10 GeneralSani Abacha 17 November 1993 8 June 1998 Provisional Ruling Council No traditional title known11 GeneralAbdulsalami Abubakar 8 June 1998 29 May 1999 Provisional Ruling Council No traditional title at the time

Fourth Republic (1999–present) Under the fourth Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, the President is head of both state and government.

Status

President Term of office Political party Elected Title Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office12 Chief Olusegun Obasanjo 29 May 1999 29 May 2007 years People's Democratic Party 19992003 In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, Chief Obasanjo holds that of the Olori Omo Ilu of Ibogun-Olaogun.13 Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua 29 May 2007 5 May 2010 People's Democratic Party 2007 Alhaji Yar'Adua was the Matawalle of Katsina, a chieftaincy position that is hereditary within his family.14 Dr. Goodluck Jonathan 6 May 2010 29 May 2015 People's Democratic Party 2011 During his presidency, Dr. Jonathan was awarded the chieftaincy title of the Se lolia I of Wakirike Bese.15 Muhammadu Buhari 29 May 2015 29 May 2023 years All Progressives Congress 20152019 In addition to a variety of other chieftaincy titles, President Buhari held that of the Ikeogu I of Igboland.16 Chief Bola Tinubu 29 May 2023 Incumbent All Progressives Congress 2023 Chief Tinubu holds two chieftaincy titles; he is the Asiwaju of Lagos and the Jagaba of Borgu.

Notes and references