Vice President of Nigeria

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Vice President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Seal of the Vice President of Nigeria
The Vice President of the Federal Republic
Incumbent
Kashim Shettima

since 29 May 2023
Executive Branch of the Federal Government
StyleMr. Vice President
His Excellency
The Honourable
AbbreviationVPFRN
Member ofFederal Executive Council
National Economic Council
National Security Council
ResidenceAkinola Aguda House
SeatAbuja, F.C.T.
NominatorPresidential candidate
AppointerDirect popular election
Term length4 years, renewable once
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Nigeria
Inaugural holderBabafemi Ogundipe (Military)
Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (Elected)
Formation16 January 1966
(58 years ago)
 (1966-01-16)
SuccessionFirst
Unofficial namesTHE VP
Salary12,126,000 annually[1]
Websitestatehouse.gov.ng

The Vice President of Nigeria is the second-in-command to the President of Nigeria in the Government of Nigeria. Officially styled Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the vice president is elected alongside the president in national elections. The office is currently held by Kashim Shettima.

Eligibility[change | change source]

A person shall be eligible for the office of vice president if he or she is a citizen of Nigeria by birth, at least 40 years of age, is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party

Functions of the vice president of Nigeria[change | change source]

The executive functions of the Nigerian vice president includes participation in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership in the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council. Although the vice president may take an active role in establishing policy in the Executive Branch by serving on such committees and councils, the relative power of the Nigerian vice president's office depends upon the duties delegated by the president.

List of vice presidents[change | change source]

Military Government (1966–1979)[change | change source]

Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu orchestrated the bloody military coup d'état of 1966 which overthrew the First Republic, parliamentary system of government was abolished and the office of the Vice President was established with Babafemi Ogundipe becoming the first Vice President as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.

Chief of Staff Term of office Military Head of State
No. Portrait Name
(birth–death)
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Brigadier
Babafemi Ogundipe
(1924–1971)
16 January 1966 29 July 1966
(deposed.)
194 days Federal Military Government Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
2 Vice Admiral
Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey
(1918–1991)
1 August 1966 29 July 1975
(deposed.)
8 years, 362 days Federal Military Government General Yakubu Gowon
3 Lieutenant General
Olusegun Obasanjo
(born 1937)
29 July 1975 13 February 1976
(Became Head of State after the assassination of Murtala)
199 days Federal Military Government General Murtala Muhammed
4 Major General
Shehu Musa Yar'Adua
(1943–1997)
13 February 1976 30 September 1979
(Handed over to civilian government)
3 years, 229 days Federal Military Government General Olusegun Obasanjo

Second Republic (1979–1983)[change | change source]

Under the 1979 Constitution, the second constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President was both head of state and government. The president along with the vice president were elected for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the Vice President would have served as acting president.

Vice President Term of office Political party Elected President
No. Portrait Name
(birth–death)
Took office Left office Time in office
5 Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme
(1932–2017)
1 October 1979 31 December 1983
(deposed.)
4 years, 91 days National Party of Nigeria 1979
1983
Alhaji Shehu Shagari

Military Government (1983–1993)[change | change source]

Major-General Muhammadu Buhari was made military head of state following the coup d'ètat of 1983, which overthrew the Second Republic, Major General Tunde Idiagbon became the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters.

Chief of Staff/
Vice President
Term of office Military Head of State/
President
No. Portrait Name
(birth–death)
Took office Left office Time in office
6 Major General
Tunde Idiagbon
(1943–1999)
31 December 1983 27 August 1985
(deposed.)
1 year, 239 days Supreme Military Council Major General Muhammadu Buhari
7 Commodore
Ebitu Ukiwe
(born 1940)
27 August 1985 October 1986
(resigned.)
1 year, 35 days Armed Forces Ruling Council General Ibrahim Babangida
8 Admiral
Augustus Aikhomu
(1939–2011)
October 1986 26 August 1993
(Handed over to interim government)
6 years, 329 days Armed Forces Ruling Council

Interim National Government (1993)[change | change source]

Chief Ernest Shonekan was made interim head of state of Nigeria following the crisis of the Third Republic.

Vice President Period Head of State
Vacant 26 August 1993 17 November 1993 83 days Chief Ernest Shonekan

Military Government (1993–1999)[change | change source]

General Sani Abacha led the palace coup d'ètat of 1993 which overthrew the Interim National Government.

Chief of General Staff Term of office Military Head of State
No. Portrait Name
(birth–death)
Took office Left office Time in office
9 Lieutenant General
Donaldson Oladipo Diya
(1944–2023)
17 November 1993 21 December 1997
(Deposed and arrested for attempted coup)
4 years, 34 days Provisional Ruling Council General Sani Abacha
Vacant
(170 days)
10 Vice Admiral
Michael Akhigbe
(1946–2013)
9 June 1998 29 May 1999
(Handed over to civilian government)
354 days Provisional Ruling Council General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Fourth Republic (1999–present)[change | change source]

Under the fourth Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, the president is head of both state and government. The president is elected by for a four-year term. In the event of a vacancy the Vice President serves as acting president.

Vice President Term of office Political party Elected President
No. Portrait Name Took office Left office Time in office
11 Atiku Abubakar
(born 1946)
29 May 1999 29 May 2007 8 years, 0 days People's Democratic Party 1999
2003
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
12 Goodluck Jonathan
(born 1957)
29 May 2007 5 May 2010
(Became President after the death of Yar'Adua)
2 years, 341 days People's Democratic Party 2007 Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
Vacant
(14 days)
Goodluck Jonathan
13 Namadi Sambo
(born 1954)
19 May 2010 29 May 2015 5 years, 10 days People's Democratic Party 2011
14 Yemi Osinbajo
(born 1957)
29 May 2015 29 May 2023 8 years, 0 days All Progressives Congress 2015
2019
Muhammadu Buhari
15 Kashim Shettima
(born 1966)
29 May 2023 Incumbent 302 days All Progressives Congress 2023 Bola Tinubu

References[change | change source]

  1. Ibeh, Nnenna (30 May 2015). "Buhari to earn N14 million as annual salary, allowances". Premium Times. Retrieved 30 May 2015.