The president of the Nigerian Senate is the presiding officer of the Senate of Nigeria, elected by its membership. The senate president is second in line of succession to the Nigerian presidency, after the Vice President of Nigeria. The current President of the Senate is Godswill Akpabio since 13 June 2023.
Selection and succession to presidency
The senate president is chosen in an indirect election conducted within the senate, amongst the 109 members. The line of succession to the Nigerian presidency goes to the Vice President, and then the senate president should both the President and Vice President be unable to discharge the powers and duties of office.
List of Nigerian Senate Presidents
Federation
First Republic
Military Government
The Senate did not sit during this time.
Second Republic
Military Government
The Senate did not sit during this time.
Third Republic
Military Government
The Senate did not sit during this time.
Fourth Republic
Trivia
Nwafor Orizu was the only Senate President of Nigeria ever to ascend to the Nigerian presidency through the constitutional order of succession. He was later forced to handover power to Aguiyi-Ironsi military junta. Ameh Ebute is the shortest serving Senate President, he served less than 17 days in office, before the Senate was dissolved by General Sani Abacha in November 1993. Evan Enwerem was the first civilian former governor to become the president of the Senate. Anyim Pius Anyim is the first Senate President born after independence, he was born on 19 February 1961. Benue South is the only district to have produced two Senate Presidents, Ameh Ebute and David Mark. Benue State is the only state to have produced 3 Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu, Ameh Ebute and David Mark. David Mark is the first and only retired military general to become Senate President. David Mark became the first person to retain the Presidency of the Senate and serve a second term in 2011. He and his deputy were re-nominated without contest. David Mark was the longest serving senate president (2007–2015) and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu was the longest serving deputy senate president (2007–2019). Bukola Saraki was the first Nigerian Senate President not to be born in Nigeria, he was born in London, United Kingdom.
References
BREAKING: Senator Akpabio Emerges New Senate President
Official Website of the Nigerian Senate
The Making of a Senate President
Government of Nigeria
Nigeria, Senate
President
Senate (Nigeria)