Speakers of House of Representative in Nigeria From 1955 Till Date

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Nigerian National Assembly, and the Speaker of the House is the head of the legislative arm of government. Since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, the House of Representatives has had different Speakers, who have played significant roles in shaping the country’s political history. This article provides an overview of past and present Speakers of the House of Representatives in Nigeria from 1955 till date, including their names, political parties, and tenures.

The selection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nigeria is not through a direct election, rather an indirect election that is carried out within the House of Representatives. In the event that the President and Vice President of Nigeria are incapable of performing their duties, the line of succession then falls to the President of the Senate, and if unavailable, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Therefore, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is third in line of succession to the Nigerian presidency.

The Federal House of Representatives of Nigeria has a presiding officer who is elected by its membership and referred to as the Speaker. It is noteworthy that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is next in line of succession to the Nigerian Presidency, after the President of the Senate of Nigeria and the Vice President of Nigeria. As of June 12, 2019, Femi Gbajabiamila was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria and currently occupies the position.

FULL LIST OF SPEAKERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN NIGERIA (1955 – DATE)

SIR FREDERIC METCALFE (1955 – 1959)

Sir Frederic Metcalfe was the first Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives. He was a British colonial administrator who served in Nigeria from 1929 to 1959. He presided over the deliberations of the House of Representatives from 1955 to 1959 when Nigeria gained independence.

JAJA ANUCHA WACHUKU (1959 – 1960)

Jaja Anucha Wachuku was the first indigenous Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a prominent lawyer and politician who was elected into the House of Representatives in 1959. He served as Speaker until 1960 when Nigeria became a republic.

IBRAHIM JALO WAZIRI (1960 – 1962)

Ibrahim Jalo Waziri was a prominent politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1960 to 1962. He was a close ally of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and played a significant role in the country’s politics during the first republic.

EDWIN UME-EZEOKE (1963 – 1966)

Edwin Ume-Ezeoke was a prominent politician and lawyer who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1963 to 1966. He was a member of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens and played a significant role in the constitutional conference that led to the adoption of Nigeria’s first republican constitution.

JOSEPH WAYAS (1979 – 1983)

Joseph Wayas was a prominent politician and lawyer who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1979 to 1983. He was a member of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and played a significant role in the country’s politics during the second republic. Wayas presided over the House during a period of intense political activity, including the impeachment of the then President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

EDWIN UMEH (1983 – 1984)

Edwin Umeh was a member of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1983 to 1984. He presided over the House during a period of political instability that led to the overthrow of the civilian government in a military coup in December 1983.

SALISU BUHARI (1992 – 1993)

Salisu Buhari was a member of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1993. He was the youngest Speaker in Nigeria’s history, having been elected at the age of 32. Buhari was forced to resign in 1999 after it was discovered that he falsified his age and educational qualifications.

DIMEJI BANKOLE (2007 – 2011)

Dimeji Bankole was a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011. He presided over the House during a period of intense political activity, including the constitutional amendment process that led to the removal of the presidential term limit.

AMINU TAMBUWAL (2011 – 2014)

Aminu Tambuwal was a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014. He defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 and later contested for the governorship of Sokoto State, which he won.

YAKUBU DOGARA (2015 – 2019)

Yakubu Dogara was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. He presided over the House during a period of intense political activity, including the passage of several key legislative bills.

FEMI GBAJABIAMILA (2019 – PRESENT)

Femi Gbajabiamila is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and has been serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives since 2019. He is a lawyer and politician who has been in the House since 2003. Gbajabiamila is the first Speaker from Lagos State and has been actively involved in the passage of several key legislative bills.