Nigeria’s Senate Presidency: A Chronological Analysis Since 1960

Since its independence on 1 October 1960, Nigeria has made tremendous efforts in democratic governance culminating the First to the Fourth Republic with each coming onboard with distinguished individuals saddled with the responsibilities of administering the Legislative Organ of Government as Nigeria’s Senate President.

In this special report, Parliament Vanguard X-rayed these formal Senate Presidents’ identities and years of service.

1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

(1 January 1960-1 October 1960).

Dr Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe who lived between 16 November 1904–11 May 1996 is commonly referred to as the father of Nigeria’s nationalism.

Zik as he was fondly called was a Nigerian politician, statesman, and revolutionary leader who served as the 3rd and first black Governor-general of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first president of Nigeria during the First Nigerian Republic (1963–1966). He was widely regarded as the driving force for the nation’s independence in 1960.

Nnamdi Azikiwe would later serve as Nigeria’s first Senate President.

After his reigns as Nigeria’s Senate President, the cap shifted to Sen. Dennis Chukude Osadebay between 1 October 1960-1 October 1963.

Dennis Chukude Osadebay

Dennis Chukude Osadebay who traversed between 29 June 1911—26 December 1994 was a Nigerian politician, poet, journalist and former Premier of the defunct Mid-Western Region of Nigeria, comprising Edo and Delta State.

He was one of the pioneering Nigerian poets who wrote in English.

He also led the movement to create a Mid-Western region during the Nigerian First Republic.

After the exit of Osadebay as Senate President, Akweke Abyssinia Nwafor stepped in from 1 October 1963 to 1 January 1966.

Prince Akweke Abyssinia Nwafor Orizu

Prince Akweke Abyssinia Nwafor Orizu (GCON), 17 July 1914–1999 was a Nigerian Politician who served as President of the Nigerian Senate from 1963 to early 1966 during the Nigerian First Republic.

His regime was truncated by the coup of 1966 and attendant civil war which ended the first Republic in Nigeria.

At the return of civilian rule in 1979 by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Legislative Powers shifted to Sen. Dr Joseph Wayas who held sway from 1 October 1979-31 December 1983.

Dr. Joseph Wayas

Dr. Joseph Wayas was elected to the Senate on the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) platform and appointed Senate President.

Dr. Wayas had an excellent relationship with President, Shehu Shagari, highlighting the harmonious relationship between the Executive and Legislative Organs of government.

Wayas left office along with other members of the Shagari-led administration when General Muhammadu Buhari staged a coup on New Year’s Eve of 1983.

He went into exile to return in 1987.

The exit of this administration also signalled the end of the second Republic in Nigeria’s political history.

On the flip side, the advent of the Third Republic saw to emergence of Sen. Dr. Iyorcha Ayu as Senate President on 5 December 1992-1 November 1993.

Iyorchia Ayu

Iyorchia Ayu, born 15 November 1952 is a Nigerian politician who served in diverse capacities including former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Interestingly, Sen. Dr. Iyorcha Ayu served as the 5th President of the Nigerian Senate in the Nigerian Third Republic of 1992-1993.

He later served in various ministerial positions in the Cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo appointed him as Industry Minister from 1999 to 2000.

Ayu was reappointed Minister of Internal Affairs in July 2003.

As the sun set at dawn on Ayu presiding over the Upper Legislative Chambers, Sen. Ameh Ebute became the new ‘sheriff’ in town from 1 November 1993 to 17 November 1993.

Ameh Ebute

Ameh Ebute, born 16 May 1946 is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the 6th President of the Nigerian Senate during the Third Republic.

His administration was shortlived by the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in 1993.

Following increased questing for democratic rule in line with global best practices including the backlash that trailed the annulment of the Presidential election which produced Moshood Abiola, Nigeria returned to civilian rule climaxing birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999 with Sen. Evans Enwerem as Senate President from 3 January 1999-18 November 1999.

Evan Enwerem

Evan Enwerem, born 29 October 1935–2 August 2007 was a Nigerian politician who served as the 7th President of the Nigerian Senate in 1999.

He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Before this time, Enwerem served as Chairman of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA), between 1980 and 1983.

Enwerem was later elected to the Nigerian Senate in 1999 to represent the Imo-East Senatorial Zone. He became the first President of the Nigerian Senate during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Enwerem beat his chief rival, Senator Chuba Okadigbo for the Senate presidency on 3 June 1999 with 66 votes to Okadigbo’s 43 votes.

Not satisfied with the defeat, Sen. Dr Chuba Okadigbo staged a comeback on 18 November 1999-8 August 2000.

Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo

Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo, born 17 December 194–25 September 2003 was a Nigerian politician, philosopher, academic, writer and political scientist.

He served as the 8th president of the Nigerian Senate from 1999 to 2000.

On Friday 2 June 2000, the Police laid siege to his official residence in an operation to seize the Senate Mace from him but failed.

Later on, in 2000, he was falsely charged with corruption and impeached.

With the void of Sen. Chuba Okadigbo’s impeachment, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim was crowned Senate gladiator from 8 August 2000-3 June 2003.

Sen. Chief Anyim Pius Anyim

Sen. Chief Anyim Pius Anyim (GCON), birthed 19 February 1961 is a Nigerian politician who served as the 9th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2000 to 2003.

He was elected Senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999 for the Ebonyi South Senatorial District of Ebonyi State and was elected President of the Senate in August 2000.

Fast track, he was Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), during Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency.

In the fullness of time, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim bowed out Senate Presidency paving the way for Sen. Adolphus Wabara from 3 June 2003 to 5 April 2005.

Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara

Adolphus Nduneweh Wabara born 1 June 1948, is a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the 10th president of the Nigerian Senate from 2003 to 2005.

A pioneer member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wabara had previously been a member of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and a House of Representative Member for Abia State in the 3rd Republic Nigerian National Assembly.

He proceeded to join the People’s Democratic Party in 1998 and was elected as Abia South’s Senator in the Nigerian Senate for two consecutive tenures.

Hence no empire lives forever, Sen. Wabara’s Senate Presidency followed suit thereby giving way to Sen. Ken Nnamani between 5 April 2005-5 June 2007).

Ken Ugwu Nnamani

Ken Ugwu Nnamani (OON), born 2 November 1948 is a Nigerian politician who served as the 11th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2005 to 2007. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was elected to the Senate from Enugu East Senatorial District of Enugu State in 2003 and served in the Senate until 2007.

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark GCON (born 8 April 1948) is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and politician.

He served as the 12th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015 and was the Senator for Benue South senatorial district from 1999 to 2019.

Before his senatorial career, Mark was the military Governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986 and a former Minister of communication.

He is the longest-serving president of the Nigerian Senate.

Abubakar Bukola Saraki

Abubakar Bukola Saraki (MBBS CON), born on 19 December 1962 is a Nigerian politician who served as the 13th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2015 to 2019.

He previously served as the Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011 and was elected to the Senate in 2011, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District, and then re-elected in the 2015 general elections under the party of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan

Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (GCON), born 12 January 1959 is a Nigerian politician and Professor who served as the 14th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2019 to 2023. He represents the Yobe North Senatorial District in the Senate as a member of the All Progressives Congress.

A university Professor from Gashua, Lawan was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1999 to represent the Bade/Jakusko Constituency as a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party.

Lawan was reelected in 2003 before successfully running to become Yobe North Senator in 2007.

He was reelected in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 on the platform of ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio

Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), born 9 December 1962 is a Nigerian lawyer turned politician who is currently serving as the 15th President of the Nigerian Senate since 13 June 2023.

He served as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District from 2015 and lost out in 2019.

He was later appointed to the cabinet of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari where he served as Minister of Niger/Delta Affairs.

He previously served as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015.