First Lady of Nigeria

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
Incumbent
Oluremi Tinubu
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

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

First ladies of Nigeria

No.ImageNameTerm BeginsTerm EndsPresident or Head of State
1Flora Azikiwe (1917–1983)[1]1 October 196316 January 1966Nnamdi Azikiwe
2Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi (1923–2021)[1]16 January 196629 July 1966Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
3Victoria Gowon (1946–)[1]1 August 196629 July 1975Yakubu Gowon
4Ajoke Muhammed[1]29 July 197513 February 1976Murtala Mohammed
5Esther Oluremi Obasanjo[1] (1941–)13 February 19761 October 1979Olusegun Obasanjo
6Hadiza Shagari[2] (1940/1941–2021)1 October 197931 December 1983Shehu Shagari
7Safinatu Buhari (1952–2006)[1]31 December 198327 August 1985Muhammadu Buhari
8Maryam Babangida (1948–2009)[1]27 August 198526 August 1993Ibrahim Babangida
9Margaret Shonekan (1941–)[1]26 August 199317 November 1993Ernest Shonekan
10Maryam Abacha (1949–)[1]17 November 19938 June 1998Sani Abacha
11Fati Lami Abubakar (1951–)8 June 199829 May 1999Abdulsalami Abubakar
12Stella Obasanjo (1945–2005)29 May 199923 October 2005 (Died in office)[1]Olusegun Obasanjo
Vacant
(1 year, 218 days)
13 Turai Yar'Adua (1957–)[1]29 May 20075 May 2010Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
14 Patience Jonathan (1957–)6 May 201029 May 2015Goodluck Jonathan
15 Aisha Buhari (1971–)29 May 201529 May 2023Muhammadu Buhari
16Oluremi Tinubu (1960–)29 May 2023PresentBola Tinubu

References