Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and one of the largest economies in the continent. It is also a country with a rich and diverse political history, having experienced colonialism, independence, military rule, and democracy.
But how much do you really know about the person who leads this nation? Do you know their personal background, their political achievements, their challenges, and their vision?
In this article, we will reveal some surprising facts about the Nigerian president.
The Current President
Let’s start with the current president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bola Ahmad Tinubu, is the leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) party and was elected as the president of the federal republic of Nigeria in 2023, succeeding Muhammadu Buhari, who stepped down after nearly eight years in power.
Tinubu is 70 years old and was born in Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.
He is a former governor of Lagos State, where he is credited with transforming the state’s economy and infrastructure.
He is also a prominent businessman and philanthropist, with interests in banking, media, oil, and real estate. He is married to Oluremi Tinubu, a senator, and has four children.
Tinubu’s presidency has been marked by some notable achievements, such as launching the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent; initiating a national dialogue on constitutional reform, which seeks to address the issues of federalism, devolution, and restructuring; and implementing a social welfare program, which provides cash transfers to the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.
However, he has also faced some major challenges, such as the resurgence of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east, economic hardship, the rising insecurity and violence in different parts of the country, especially in the north-west, where armed bandits have been terrorizing communities.
Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria is to make it a prosperous, peaceful, and united nation, where every citizen has equal opportunities and rights.
He has pledged to fight corruption, improve governance, diversify the economy, create jobs, and invest in education, health, and infrastructure.
He has also vowed to strengthen Nigeria’s role and influence in the regional and global arena, by promoting democracy, human rights, and cooperation.
The Previous Presidents
Before Tinubu, Nigeria had six presidents since the return of democracy in 1999. They are:
- Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007): He was a former military ruler who became a civilian president after winning the first democratic elections in 16 years.
He is credited with ending the civil war in Sierra Leone, launching the anti-corruption agency EFCC, and initiating the debt relief deal with the Paris Club.
He is also criticized for attempting to amend the constitution to extend his tenure, failing to tackle the Niger Delta crisis, and endorsing his successor, Umaru Yar’Adua, who was widely seen as unfit for office.
- Umaru Yar’Adua (2007-2010): He was the governor of Katsina State before becoming president. He is praised for declaring a state of emergency in the power sector, granting amnesty to the Niger Delta militants, and reversing some of Obasanjo’s unpopular policies.
He is also blamed for being weak, indecisive, and secretive, especially about his health condition, which eventually led to his death in office.
- Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015): He was the vice-president who became president after Yar’Adua’s death.
He is lauded for overseeing the peaceful transfer of power to the opposition in 2015, conducting a successful national conference on constitutional reform, and leading the fight against the Ebola virus.
He is also condemned for mishandling the Chibok girls’ abduction, allowing corruption to flourish, and losing control of the economy.
- Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023): He was a former military ruler who became a civilian president after defeating Jonathan in the 2015 elections. He is applauded for launching the war against Boko Haram, recovering looted funds, and implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which consolidated government revenues.
He is also censured for being authoritarian, nepotistic, and insensitive, especially to the demands of the south-east and south-south regions, where he is accused of marginalizing and repressing them.
The Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about the Nigerian president.
You can always improve your knowledge by reading more about the history, politics, and culture of Nigeria.
Nigeria is a fascinating and diverse country, with many achievements and challenges. It is also a country that needs the active participation and contribution of its citizens, especially the youth, who are the future leaders.
So, stay informed, stay engaged, and stay patriotic. God bless Nigeria. 🇳🇬
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