The first lady of Nigeria is an informal, but accepted title, held by the wife of the president of Nigeria. The current first lady is Oluremi Tinubu who has held the title since 29 May 2023.[1]

First Lady of Nigeria
since 29 May 2023
Inaugural holderFlora Azikiwe
Formation1963

The Constitution of Nigeria does not create an office for the country's first lady or potential first gentleman.[1] However, official funding and staff have been allocated to the first lady of Nigeria since the country's independence.[1] The first lady is addressed by the title Her Excellency.[1]

History

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Stella Obasanjo is the only Nigerian first lady to have died in office.[1]

First ladies of Nigeria

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No. Image Name Term Begins Term Ends President or Head of State
1 Flora Azikiwe (1917–1983)[1] 1 October 1963 16 January 1966 Nnamdi Azikiwe
2 Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi (1923–2021)[1] 16 January 1966 29 July 1966 Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
3 Victoria Gowon (1946–)[1] 1 August 1966 29 July 1975 Yakubu Gowon
4 Ajoke Muhammed[1](1941–) 29 July 1975 13 February 1976 Murtala Mohammed
5 Esther Oluremi Obasanjo[1] (1941–) 13 February 1976 1 October 1979 Olusegun Obasanjo
6 Hadiza Shagari[2] (1940/1941–2021) 1 October 1979 31 December 1983 Shehu Shagari
7 Safinatu Buhari (1952–2006)[1] 31 December 1983 27 August 1985 Muhammadu Buhari
8 Maryam Babangida (1948–2009)[1] 27 August 1985 26 August 1993 Ibrahim Babangida
9 Margaret Shonekan (1941–)[1] 26 August 1993 17 November 1993 Ernest Shonekan
10 Maryam Abacha (1949–)[1] 17 November 1993 8 June 1998 Sani Abacha
11 Fati Lami Abubakar (1951–) 8 June 1998 29 May 1999 Abdulsalami Abubakar
12 Stella Obasanjo (1945–2005) 29 May 1999 23 October 2005 (Died in office)[1] Olusegun Obasanjo
Vacant
(1 year, 218 days)
13   Turai Yar'Adua (1957–)[1] 29 May 2007 5 May 2010 Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
14   Patience Jonathan (1957–) 6 May 2010 29 May 2015 Goodluck Jonathan
15   Aisha Buhari (1971–) 29 May 2015 29 May 2023 Muhammadu Buhari
16 Oluremi Tinubu (1960–) 29 May 2023 Present Bola Tinubu

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Okon-Ekong, Nseobong (2010-10-02). "Nigeria: First Ladies - Colourful Brilliance, Gaudy Rays". Thisday. AllAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  2. ^ "Former Nigerian First Lady dies of COVID-19 in Abuja". Politics Nigeria. 2021-08-12. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12. Retrieved 2021-09-02.