Full Names and Year in office: Chronologies of Nigeria's 16 past Presidents and Head of States

A collage of some past Nigerian leaders

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu and vice president Kashim Shettima will be inaugurated on Monday, May 29.

According to Nigeria's records, Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor will be the 17th president since independence in 1960.

Nigeria, one of the biggest democracies in Africa has survived several break-out attempts and has also transitioned from the military form of government to civilian rule.

The country faces numerous challenges including insecurity, power and economic. Various administration has promised to fix the challenges since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 but failed.

The ball is now placed squarely in the court of Bola Ahmed Tinubu who believes he has what it takes to save Nigeria from the economic doldrums.

As Nigerians prepare and gear up for his swearing-in later this month, below are the names of Head of State and Presidents who have ruled Nigeria since 1960.

CHRONOLOGIES OF PAST PRESIDENTS AND HEADS OF STATE

1. ALHAJI ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA: 1960 - 1966

2. CHIEF BENJAMIN NNAMDI AZIKIWE: OCTOBER 1, 1963 – JANUARY 16, 1966

3 . MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI IRONSI: JANUARY 16, 1966 – JULY 29, 1966

4. GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON: AUGUST 1, 1966 – JULY 29, 1975

5. GENERAL MURTALA RAMAT MOHAMMED: JULY 29, 1975 – FEBRUARY 13, 1976

6. GENERAL OLUSEGUN AREMU OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO: FEBRUARY 13, 1976 – OCTOBER 1, 1979

7. SHEHU USMAN ALIYU SHAGARI: OCTOBER 1, 1979 – DECEMBER 31, 1983

8. MAJOR-GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI: DECEMBER 31, 1983 – AUGUST 27, 1985

9. GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA: AUGUST 27, 1985 – AUGUST 27, 1993

10. CHIEF ERNEST ADEKUNLE OLADEINDE SHONEKAN: AUGUST 26, 1993 – NOVEMBER 17, 1993

11. GENERAL SANI ABACHA: NOVEMBER 17, 1993 – JUNE 8, 1998

12. GENERAL ABDULSALAMI ALHAJI ABUBAKAR: JUNE 9, 1998 – MAY 29, 1999

13. GENERAL OLUSEGUN AREMU OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO (RTD): MAY 29, 1999 – 29 MAY, 2007

14. UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA: 29 MAY, 2007 - 5 MAY, 2010

15. DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN: 6 MAY, 2010 - 29 MAY, 2015

16. MUHAMMADU BUHARI: 29 MAY, 2015 - DATE