Presidents are typically viewed as leaders of their political parties, major policy making is significantly shaped by the outcome of presidential elections.

An all-Nigerian Executive Council was headed by the prime minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

On 1 October 1963, Nigeria became a Federal republic thereby abolishing its monarchy, but remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

[5] The office at that time was primarily ceremonial, and the main duties of the president were on such things as receiving foreign dignitaries and opening Parliament.

[7] In 1975, General Yakubu Gowon was deposed and Brigadier Murtala Mohammed was made head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria until his assassination in 1976.

[8] Upon his death, the chief-of-staff, Supreme Headquarters (equivalent to a vice president) General Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office as head of state in a meeting of the Supreme Military Council, keeping the chain of command established by General Murtala Muhammed in place.

General Obasanjo was responsible for completing the democratic transition begun by his predecessor, which culminated in an election in August 1979.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the chairman of the Supreme Military Council (SMC), the new head of state.

[12] General Sani Abacha seized power from Shonekan on 17 November 1993, and became head of state and chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council.

[14][15][16][17][18][19] Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar became the new head of state and chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council.

[20][21][19][22] On 29 May 1999, General Abdulsalami Abubakar stepped down,[23] and handed over power to a former military head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, after being elected some months prior.

On 29 May 2023, Bola Tinubu was sworn in as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the 16th head of state after winning the 2023 Nigerian general election.

If neither candidate passes this threshold, a third round will be held, where a simple majority of the votes is required to be elected.

The president is driven on ground by the Mobile Police Force while closely protected by Department of State Security agents.