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 | VP Political Party | VP Assumed Office | VP Left Office | President Served With |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Kashim Shettima | 2 Sept 1966 | APC | May 29, 2023 | Current | Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
| 13 | Yemi Osinbajo | 8 Mar. 1957 | APC | May 29, 2015 | May 29, 2023 | Muhammadu Buhari |
| 12 | Namadi Sambo | 2 Aug. 1954 | PDP | 19 May 2010 | May 29, 2015 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan |
| 11 | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | 20 Nov. 1957 | PDP | May 29, 2007 | May 5, 2010 | Umaru Musa Yar Adua |
| 10 | Atiku Abubakar | 25 Nov. 1946 | PDP | May 29, 1999 | May 29, 2007 | Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo |
| 09 | Mike Akhigbe | 29 Sept 1946 | Military | June 9, 1998 | May 29, 1999 | Abdulsalami Abubakar |
| 08 | Lt. General Oladipo Diya | 3 April 1944 | Military | Nov 17, 1993 | June 8, 1998 | Sani Abacha |
| 07 | Augustus Aikhomu | 20 October 1939 | Military | Aug 27, 1985 | Aug 26, 1993 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| 06 | Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe | 26 October 1940 | Military | 27 Aug 1985 | October 1986 | Ibrahim Babangida |
| 05 | Tunde Idiagbon | 14 Sep. 1942 | Military | Dec 31, 1983 | Aug 27. 1985 | Muhammadu Buhari |
| 04 | Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme | 21 October 1932 | NPN | Oct 1, 1979 | Dec 31, 1983 | Alhaji Shehu Shagari |
| 03 | Shehu Musa Yar’Adua | 5 Mar. 1943 | Military | Feb 13, 1976 | Oct 1, 1979 | Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo |
| 02 | Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey | 6 Mar. 1918 | Military | Aug 1, 1966 | July 29, 1975 | Yakubu Gowon |
| 01 | Babafemi Ogundipe | 6 Sept 1924 | Military | Jan 16, 1966 | July 29, 1966 | Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi |
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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 |
What are the executive functions of a Nigerian Vice President?
The executive functions of the Vice President of Nigeria are defined primarily by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) and the delegations of power from the President.
Key Executive Functions of the Nigerian Vice President:
1. Chairing the National Economic Council (NEC):
- The Vice President chairs the NEC, which advises the President on economic affairs.
- The NEC includes all state governors and key federal economic ministers.
- This is arguably the most significant constitutional duty assigned to the Vice President.
2. Acting President (when required):
- Under Section 145 of the Constitution, the Vice President becomes Acting President when:
3. Assisting the President in Execution of Policies:
- The VP supports the President in executing government policies, particularly in areas delegated by the President.
- May oversee specific sectors like the economy, digital innovation, or humanitarian affairs, depending on the administration’s structure.
4. Member of Key Executive Bodies:
- The Vice President is a statutory member of several important councils and committees, including:
- The Federal Executive Council (FEC)
- National Security Council (NSC)
- National Defence Council
- Council of State
5. Diplomatic and Representational Roles:
- Represents the President or the country at diplomatic functions, international summits, and negotiations, when delegated.
6. Supervision of Special Initiatives or Committees:
- The President may assign the Vice President to lead strategic initiatives such as national poverty reduction, investment promotion, or energy reforms.
Who is eligible to be a vice president in Nigeria?
To be eligible to be Vice President of Nigeria, a person must:
- Be a citizen of Nigeria by birth.
- Be at least 35 years old.
- Be a member of a political party and sponsored by that party.
- Have attained at least a School Certificate or its equivalent.
These requirements are outlined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
FAQs About Vice Presidents of Nigeria
Vice Presidents of Nigeria
The first Vice President of Nigeria was Babafemi Ogundipe. He served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters after the military coup of 1966, which abolished the parliamentary system of government and established the office of Vice President, He served from jan 1966 to july 1966 under Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi. However, the first democratically elected Vice President of Nigeria was Alex Ekwueme.
The first democratically elected Vice President of Nigeria was Alex Ekwueme. He served from 1979 to 1983 under President Shehu Shagari during Nigeria's Second Republic.
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.
The Vice President of Nigeria in 2007 was Goodluck Jonathan.
He became Vice President on May 29, 2007, serving under President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
a person would be eligible to become the vice president of nigeria if he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; at least 35 years old: a member of a political party and sponsored by that party; and Have attained at least a School Certificate or its equivalent. As outlined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
