Nigerian Senate Presidents From 1960 Till Date

The Nigerian Senate is the upper chamber of the country’s bicameral legislature, the National Assembly. The Senate is presided over by the Senate President, who is the highest-ranking officer of the Senate. Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, there have been several Senate Presidents, each with their unique political ideologies, achievements, and challenges. In this post, we will provide an overview of Nigerian Senate Presidents from 1960 till date and also provide in a tabular form their names, political party, and tenure.

The individual who presides over the Senate of Nigeria is known as the President of the Senate. This position is granted through election by the Senate’s membership, and it is considered the second in line of succession to the Nigerian presidency, following only the Vice President of Nigeria. As of the current time, the President of the Senate is Ahmad Lawan, who holds this esteemed position.

FULL LIST OF PAST AND PRESENT NIGERIAN SENATE PRESIDENTS (1960 – DATE)

NNAMDI AZIKIWE (NCNC) – 1960-1963

Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first Senate President of Nigeria, serving from 1960 to 1963. He was a member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), a political party that was active in the former British colony of Nigeria. Azikiwe was also a prominent Nigerian nationalist, and he played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence.

DENNIS OSADEBAY (NCNC) – 1963-1966

Dennis Osadebay was the second Senate President of Nigeria, serving from 1963 to 1966. Like Azikiwe, he was a member of the NCNC political party. Osadebay was also a writer and historian, and he wrote several books on the history of Nigeria and its people.

Joseph Wayas (NPN) – 1979-1983

Joseph Wayas was the Senate President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983. He was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), a political party that was in power during Nigeria’s Second Republic. Wayas was also a lawyer and a judge, and he made several contributions to the development of Nigeria’s legal system.

IYORCHIA AYU (SDP) – 1992-1993

Iyorchia Ayu was the Senate President of Nigeria from 1992 to 1993. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which was one of the two dominant political parties during Nigeria’s Third Republic. Ayu was also a medical doctor and a businessman, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s health and economic sectors.

AMEH EBUTE (SDP) – 1993-1999

Ameh Ebute was the Senate President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1999. He was a member of the SDP political party, and he played a significant role in the development of Nigeria’s democracy. During his tenure, he presided over several important legislative bills, including the establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

CHUBA OKADIGBO (PDP) – 1999-2000

Chuba Okadigbo was the Senate President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2000. He was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which was the ruling party at the time. Okadigbo was also a professor of political science, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s educational system. However, his tenure as Senate President was marred by several controversies, including allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

ANYIM PIUS ANYIM (PDP) – 2000-2003

Anyim Pius Anyim was the Senate President of Nigeria from 2000 to 2003. He was a member of the PDP political party, and he presided over several important legislative bills, including the establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Anyim was also a lawyer and a writer, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal and literary sectors.

ADOLPHUS WABARA (PDP) – 2003-2005

Adolphus Wabara was the Senate President of Nigeria from 2003 to 2005. He was a member of the PDP political party, and he presided over several important legislative bills, including the amendment of Nigeria’s constitution. Wabara was also a lawyer and a businessman, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal and economic sectors. However, his tenure as Senate President was also marred by several controversies, including allegations of corruption and vote-rigging.

KEN NNAMANI (PDP) – 2005-2007

Ken Nnamani was the Senate President of Nigeria from 2005 to 2007. He was a member of the PDP political party, and he presided over several important legislative bills, including the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the National Health Bill. Nnamani was also a lawyer and a politician, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal and political sectors.

DAVID MARK (PDP) – 2007-2015

David Mark was the Senate President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015. He was a member of the PDP political party, and he presided over several important legislative bills, including the amendment of Nigeria’s electoral laws and the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. Mark was also a retired military officer, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s military and political sectors.

BUKOLA SARAKI (APC, PDP) – 2015-2019

Bukola Saraki was the Senate President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2019. He was initially a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party, but he later defected to the PDP. Saraki presided over several important legislative bills, including the amendment of Nigeria’s electoral laws and the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill. Saraki was also a medical doctor and a businessman, and he made significant contributions to Nigeria’s health and economic sectors.

AHMAD LAWAN (APC) – 2019-2023

Ahmad Lawan was the 9th Senate President of Nigeria. He is a member of the APC political party, and he presides over the current 9th National Assembly.

GODSWILL AKPABIO (APC) – 2023-PRESENT

Godswill Akpabio is the current Senate President of Nigeria. He is also a member of the APC and will preside over the 10th National Assembly.