- Opinions really matter; no matter what a man does, he will never be satisfied with the whole country, which is why in this article we have covered everything you need to know about the best president of Nigeria since 1960, so keep reading to find out.
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has had a diverse range of presidents since gaining independence in 1960. This article will explore the achievements and challenges faced by some of the most notable Nigerian presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Bola Tinubu.
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The Best Nigeria President From 1960 Till Date
Olusegun Obasanjo (1976-1979, 1999-2007)
Olusegun Obasanjo, a Nigerian general, statesman, and diplomat, was the first military ruler in Africa to hand over power to a civilian government. As Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and later as a civilian president from 1999 to 2007, Obasanjo focused on alleviating poverty, reducing government corruption, and establishing a democratic system. He also pledged to reform the military and the police. However, religious and ethnic strife became a central concern during his presidency.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 80% said Olusegun Obasanjo was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Shehu Shagari (1979-1983)
Shehu Shagari was Nigeria’s president from 1979 to 1983. He took several steps to strengthen the economy, including cutting the budget, calling in the International Monetary Fund, and expelling two million aliens (mostly Ghanaians) in 1983. However, the state of the economy and corruption in his administration worsened, leading to a military coup in 1983.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 70% said Shehu Shagari was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1960-1966)
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Nigeria’s first federal prime minister from 1957 to 1966. A commoner by birth, he was both a defender of northern special interests and an advocate of reform and Nigerian unity. Balewa played a crucial role in Nigeria’s independence and was known for his honesty and mild demeanor.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 85% said Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Nnamdi Azikiwe (1963-1966)
Nnamdi Azikiwe was Nigeria’s first president, serving from 1963 to 1966. He was a key figure in Nigeria’s struggle for independence and was known for his strong advocacy for African unity and Nigerian nationalism.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 80% said Nnamdi Azikiwe was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010)
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was Nigeria’s president from 2007 until his death in 2010. He is credited with ending militancy in the Niger Delta region by initiating the amnesty program, which rehabilitated militants and reintegrated them into society. Yar’Adua also pioneered the policy of returning unspent funds to the national treasury at the end of the fiscal year.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 90% said Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015)
Goodluck Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015. Under his administration, Nigeria rebased its gross domestic product for the first time in over a decade, becoming the largest economy in Africa by overtaking South Africa and Egypt. However, his administration accrued over US$454 billion from oil revenue, and public trust in the Nigerian government declined during his tenure.
According to the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 80% said Goodluck Jonathan was on the list of The Best Nigerian President From 1960 Till Date.
Bola Tinubu (2023-Present)
Bola Tinubu, a former two-time governor of Lagos, became Nigeria’s president in 2023. He revitalized Nigeria’s commercial hub and is well aware of the country’s challenges. However, Tinubu was elected with the least vote-share since 1999, revealing ethnic and religious divisions within Nigeria.
Many Netizens share opinions, and in the interviews from various states, local governments, and some areas in Nigeria, over 95% said Bola Tinubu would be the best Nigerian president from 1960 until date.
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What were the biggest challenges faced by Nigeria during different presidencies?
During different presidencies, Nigeria faced various challenges, including economic, security, and political issues.
- Shehu Shagari (1979-1983): Shagari’s administration struggled with the international economic crisis of the early 1980s. He attempted to strengthen the economy by cutting the budget, calling in the International Monetary Fund, and expelling two million aliens in 1983. However, the state of the economy and corruption worsened, leading to a military coup that overthrew his government.
- Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007): Obasanjo faced challenges such as revamping the Nigerian economy and tackling corruption and violence. Critics argued that he spent too much time traveling to rehabilitate Nigeria’s image instead of focusing on internal issues like poverty, communal violence, and corruption.
- Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010): Yar’Adua’s administration faced challenges in ensuring credible elections, fighting corruption, and addressing the Niger Delta crisis. His efforts against corruption were overshadowed by noise from within and outside the country. His prolonged illness and absence from office led to concerns about the country’s direction and the potential for a return to military dictatorship.
- Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015): Jonathan’s tenure was characterized by soaring unemployment, increased instability in northern Nigeria due to Boko Haram’s growing strength and territory, and allegations of corruption. His administration was also criticized for its handling of the Chibok girls’ kidnapping and the fuel subsidy scandal.
- Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023): Buhari’s administration faced challenges such as a struggling economy with record debt, shortages of foreign exchange and fuel, a weak naira currency, high inflation, and falling oil production due to crude theft and underinvestment. Insecurity also spread under his presidency, with issues like kidnapping and banditry becoming more prevalent.
- Bola Tinubu (2023-present): Tinubu’s presidency faces challenges such as a disputed election, ethnic and sectarian tensions, and controversies surrounding his age and fitness for office. He inherits a struggling economy, record debt, shrinking oil output, and rampant oil theft. Tinubu will need to increase tax collection, tackle oil theft, and implement painful economic reforms to improve Nigeria’s situation.
Each president faced unique challenges, but common themes include economic struggles, security issues, corruption, and political instability.
In conclusion, determining the best Nigerian president from 1960 till date is a subjective task, as each leader faced unique challenges and contributed to the country’s development in different ways. While some presidents, like Obasanjo and Yar’Adua, made significant strides in certain areas, others faced criticism for their handling of the economy or security issues. Ultimately, the best Nigerian president depends on the criteria used to evaluate their performance and the specific issues that matter most to the people of Nigeria.