Author: Chukwu Ikenna

Nigeria’s political history is shaped by courageous men and women whose leadership, activism, and vision have influenced the course of the nation. From pre-independence nationalists to post-democracy figures, many have played key roles in building Nigeria’s political landscape.

In this article, we spotlight the Top 10 most prominent politicians in the history of Nigeria, based on their legacy, achievements, and impact on governance.

1. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe

Popularly Known As: “Zik of Africa”
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was Nigeria’s first President and one of the nation’s founding fathers. As a journalist, statesman, and nationalist, he fought for independence through education and media. His role in uniting different ethnic groups made him a national figure of respect.

Key Legacy:

• First President of Nigeria (1963–1966)
• Co-founder of the NCNC political party
• A major voice for African liberation

2. Sir Ahmadu Bello

Title: Sardauna of Sokoto
As Premier of the Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello was a central figure in Northern Nigerian politics. A devout Muslim and skilled administrator, he focused on regional development, education, and preserving cultural values.

Key Legacy:

• Founded the Northern People’s Congress (NPC)
• Advocated for unity and respect across regions
• Assassinated in the 1966 military coup

3. Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Obafemi Awolowo was a visionary leader from the Western Region known for his progressive policies, particularly in education. He introduced free primary education in the West and was a strong advocate of federalism and democracy.

Key Legacy:

• First Premier of Western Nigeria
• Founded the Action Group (AG)
• Introduced free and compulsory education

4. General Murtala Mohammed

Although his time in power was brief, Murtala Mohammed remains one of the most admired military leaders in Nigeria. His tough stance against corruption and commitment to reform earned him national and international respect.

Key Legacy:

• Initiated public sector reform
• Laid groundwork for Abuja as the new capital
• Assassinated in 1976 during an attempted coup

5. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (M.K.O. Abiola)

M.K.O. Abiola was a businessman, philanthropist, and politician. He won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was annulled by the military regime. His death in detention in 1998 became a turning point in Nigeria’s return to democracy.

Key Legacy:

• Widely regarded as the “winner” of Nigeria’s freest election
• Symbol of democracy and national unity
• June 12 is now celebrated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day

6. General Olusegun Obasanjo

A two-time leader of Nigeria — first as a military Head of State and later as a civilian President — Olusegun Obasanjo played a significant role in Nigeria’s political transition. His democratic leadership from 1999 to 2007 laid the foundation for the Fourth Republic.

Key Legacy:

• Handed power to civilian government in 1979
• Returned as elected President (1999–2007)
• Influential international diplomat and peacekeeper

7. Alhaji Shehu Shagari

As Nigeria’s first democratically elected President in the Second Republic, Shagari promoted agriculture, infrastructure, and diplomacy. Although his government was cut short by a military coup, he is remembered for his calm and fatherly leadership.

Key Legacy:

• President of Nigeria (1979–1983)
• Championed the Green Revolution for food security
• Promoted peace in Africa

8. Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Often referred to as the “Jagaban,” Bola Tinubu rose to prominence as the Governor of Lagos State, transforming the state into Nigeria’s economic hub. He played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s return to democracy and was elected President in 2023.

Key Legacy:

• Architect of political coalition that led to APC victory
• Reformed tax and infrastructure in Lagos
• Influential in shaping modern Nigerian politics

9. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Jonathan’s rise from Deputy Governor to President made headlines around the world. His tenure was marked by education reforms, electoral system upgrades, and peaceful concession in the 2015 elections, which earned him global praise.

Key Legacy:

• Promoted “One Man, One Vote”
• Handed over power peacefully in 2015
• Advocated for democracy across Africa

10. Aminu Kano

Aminu Kano was a teacher and reformist known for advocating for the poor, women’s rights, and equality. As a Northern progressive, he challenged the status quo and inspired generations of social reformers.

Key Legacy:

• Founded the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU)
• Fought for Talakawa (the common people)
• Remains a symbol of progressive politics in Nigeria

Nigeria’s political history is filled with leaders who shaped the country’s destiny through courage, sacrifice, and vision. While some brought reforms, others left behind controversies. Yet, each of these figures played a significant role in defining Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

Understanding their legacies helps us make better choices for our future as a nation.

A nursing student from London was “brutally murdered” days before she graduated from university in America, her relatives have said.

Tamilore Odunsi was stabbed to death at her apartment in Texas last Saturday, while a man was also found with stab wounds at the address, Houston Police said.

The 23-year-old’s family have been left heartbroken by “the unimaginable loss” and is now trying to raise money for her body to be repatriated to the UK, as well as trying to cover funeral and burial costs.

Tamilore Odunsi had been studying in America
Paying tribute to a “beloved sister, daughter, and friend” on a GoFundMe page Ms Odunsi’s relatives described the student as “a beautiful soul, full of light, ambition, and kindness”.

“Tragically, Tami was brutally murdered just days before she was set to graduate from university—an unimaginable loss at a moment that should have marked the beginning of a bright and promising future,” the post said.

“A devoted Christian, she was a God-fearing young woman who found strength and joy in her faith.

“She had a deep love for her church community, where she was actively involved and always eager to serve others with humility and grace.”

Ms Odunsi had moved from the UK to the US to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, the post explained.

Tamilore Odunsi regularly posted about her life in the US on TikTok
The Londoner had over 30,000 followers and would regularly post about her experiences as a Brit living in Houston in Texas.

The 23-year-old “had a special love for children and always dreamed of making a difference in young lives through her future work in healthcare,” the GoFundMe page added.

“Outside of her studies, she brought joy to others through her love for creating content and expressing her vibrant personality.”

Her family are now trying to help her have “the peaceful and dignified farewell she deserves” by returning her to the UK so she can be buried surrounded by her relatives and loved ones.

Houston Police were called to an apartment block for a “welfare check” at around 3.50pm on Saturday.

Nigerians could lose access to Facebook and Instagram after Meta, the parent company, stated that it faces significant fines and “unrealistic” regulatory expectations from Nigerian authorities.

Last year, three regulatory bodies in Nigeria fined the US-based social media firm over $290 million for breaching various laws and regulations.

Meta’s recent effort to contest the rulings in the Abuja High Court was unsuccessful. The court has mandated that the company settle the fines by the end of June.

While Meta also owns WhatsApp, the company did not include the messaging platform in its statement.

Facebook remains Nigeria’s leading social media platform, and millions of people use it nationwide for everyday communication and news sharing. It is also an essential resource for numerous small online enterprises in Nigeria.

In July of the previous year, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) imposed a $220 million fine for purported anti-competitive behaviours, while the country’s advertising regulatory body, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), fined the company $37.5 million for unauthorised advertising activities.

Additionally, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) claimed that Meta violated data privacy laws and issued a fine of $32.8 million.

Adamu Abdullahi, the CEO of FCCPC, said that investigations conducted alongside the data commission from May 2021 to December 2023 uncovered “invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria.”

However, he did not specify what these practices entailed.

In its court documentation, Meta stated that its “primary concern” was with the data commission, which it accused of “misinterpreting” data privacy regulations.

The commission specifically requested that Meta obtain prior consent before transferring any personal data outside of Nigeria, a requirement Meta described as “unrealistic.”

Meta was also instructed to offer a link to educational videos regarding data privacy risks. This content would be developed with government-approved educational institutions and non-profit organisations.

The NDPC insisted that these videos should emphasise the risks of “manipulative and unfair data processing,” which could potentially expose Nigerian users to health and financial dangers.

Nigerians are being urged to withdraw their funds from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) amid growing unrest.

Social media posts reveal a wave of dissatisfaction with the bank, linked to the controversial arrest of a right activist known as VeryDarkMan.

Wizard B4J (@WizardB4J) posted on X, encouraging people to remove their money from GTBank until VeryDarkMan is freed.

He shared a receipt of a ₦504,900 transfer to Palmpay, urging others to follow suit and protest GTBank’s actions.

Queein (@QueeinJ) echoed this sentiment, criticizing GTBank for unexplained deductions from her account.

She threatened not to deposit funds into the account, dismissing GTBank’s claim that the deductions were for a loan she denies taking.

KingUBGentle (@KingUBG) also announced moving his money out of GTBank, calling VeryDarkMan’s arrest a mistake.

He shared a screenshot showing his account balance at just ₦81.19 after the withdrawal, joining the #FREEDVM movement.

Emmanuel (@emmanwoke) warned of planned protests if VeryDarkMan isn’t released soon.

He threatened that Nigerians would unleash their anger on GTBank branches, highlighting the growing tension and public frustration.

Bad Attitude (@nwaenu) confirmed moving ₦5,000,000 out of GTBank to United Bank for Africa, stating that GTBank could be the next victim of public backlash. The #FREEDVM hashtag continues to trend, amplifying the call to action.

Salami Victor (@victorsala) took a firm stance, refusing to do business with anyone using GTBank accounts. He shared reports of VeryDarkMan being whisked away by unknown men, fueling further outrage and calls for accountability from GTBank and the EFCC.

EFCC detains VeryDarkMan – Lawyer alleges

It was gathered that Popular Nigerian social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

Deji added that he was arrested reportedly in connecting with cyber bullying offences as a right activist.

A UK-based Nigerian woman, Emem Effiong Ekpo, from Akwa Ibom State, has been accused of defrauding hopeful migrants of over £100,000 through an alleged Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) visa scam.

Multiple victims claim that Ekpo exploited their aspirations for a better life by collecting large sums under the pretext of securing UK work visas, only to become evasive after payments were made.

Investigations report obtained by newsmen revealed that the scam followed a familiar pattern: victims were convinced of Ekpo’s credibility after she presented her UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and passport.

She reportedly assured applicants that their payments would cover training certificates and COS documents required for skilled worker visas. One of the victims, identified as “Mary Udoka” (not her real name), said she and two others paid Ekpo a total of £4,000 on 18 September 2024.

“Our visa was about to expire, and I was desperate to find a solution,” she said. Evidence provided by the victims includes WhatsApp conversations and bank transfer receipts.

However, after receiving the payments, Ekpo allegedly became increasingly evasive, offering excuses instead of tangible results.

“One day she will tell me she’s on her way to the bank, the next time she says payment will drop tonight. There is always a new lie or scheme,” one victim said.

Following growing complaints, Ekpo reportedly refunded a portion of the money in Nigerian Naira instead of Pounds Sterling earlier this year. However, victims say she has failed to refund the full amount.

The situation escalated when a campaign group fighting COS fraud published a video on 27 March 2025, accusing Ekpo of defrauding victims of over £100,000.

The post, shared by @NassFerrari on social media, featured a TikTok live video with protesters chanting: “Emem Effiong Ekpo, 26-year-old COS scammer, has scammed over £100,000.” When contacted for comment, Ekpo admitted collecting money from the victims but claimed she was merely a “middleman” and a victim herself.

Despite promising to reveal the identities of her alleged associates and provide supporting evidence, she has so far failed to do so.

As more victims come forward, campaigners are urging authorities to crack down on fraudulent visa schemes targeting desperate migrants seeking opportunities abroad

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have nabbed three suspected fraudsters linked with Q-net scam in the country.

The suspects, Olaniyan Joshua, Oyetunde Julius Akano, and Victor Oluwale who are currently undergoing interrogation in the Commission, were arrested on Wednesday, May 1, 2025, in Abuja.

Operating under the name, Mighty Infinity Millionaire Limited, the trio falsely claimed to be representatives of Q-net, a global e-commerce and direct selling company. While Q-net has since denied any link with the suspects and their activities, investigations further revealed that the suspects were equally running a fraudulent university training in pavilions and under trees, offering fake Bachelor of Science degrees in Medicine, Nursing, Cybersecurity, Computer Studies, and Geology, among others with a false claim of affiliation with Quest International University, Malaysia.

Student victims were charged between N1.2 million and N1.3 million as registration fees from which the suspected scammers raked in hundreds of millions in proceeds of crime.

Earlier on March 24, 2025, the Commission raided Q-net University at Compensation Layout, Gwagwalada, FCT, Abuja where it arrested 133 suspects.

In other news, Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested one Saifullahi Ismail for suspected involvement in employment fraud.

He was arrested at Abakpa New Extension in Kaduna on April 30, 2025 following credible intelligence on his alleged involvement in employment fraud.

Ismail, a technician with Kaduna Electric Distribution Company was arrested based on intelligence linking him and his accomplice, Halima Yakubu Ngulde with obtaining money from job seekers on fraudulent promise of getting job placements for them in the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, EFCC, etc.

Ngulde was arrested in November 2024 by the EFCC but Ismail had been evading arrest until Wednesday when he was held for the suspected offence.

Items recovered from him include a forged letter of employment by the EFCC.

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

A US-based activist, Dr. Sandra Duru, also known as Professor Mgbeke, has submitted evidence of phone conversations between her and suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to relevant authorities in the US and other parts of the world for forensic analysis.

The activist, who made this known during a Facebook live session on Thursday night, while showing some of the evidences, said the conversations revealed the unknown ideas behind the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the embattled Senator.

She exposed call logs and conversations to debunk Natasha’s claim that she had never spoken to her before.

Duru, popularly called Prof. Mgbeke, added that Natasha offered her N200 million to accuse the Senate President of organ harvesting, linking him with the death of a young girl who died a few years ago when she wasn’t getting anywhere with her sexual harassment allegation.

She called on international security agencies, which she had petitioned, the IPU and the Nigeria Police Force to probe Natasha’s allegations and what she claimed to know about the murder of Umoren, having kept mute for years before coming out to accuse Akpabio.

The activist and journalist, in her one hour, eight minutes live broadcast, claimed that Natasha was out to destroy men, insisting that the suspended Senator had revealed she had no evidence of harassment against Akpabio.

She said this while displaying call logs and messages sent to her Whatsapp by Natasha.

“One, there is no sexual harassment of any kind, two, there is no evidence of organ harvesting. I told Natasha, you are a pathological liar, you have disgraced us Nigerians. She said Nigerians were G and H – ‘Gullible and Hungry’ and you want to add to their problems?

“I told her to make peace with the Senate members but she insisted that they want to destroy Yoruba government, I don’t know she meant by that.

“A lawyer that is very lousy and careless in her utterances. Natasha is not teachable, Natasha lacks humility, Natasha lacks moral values, she does not care. If it doesn’t go Natasha’s way, you are her enemy. Natasha is on a mission to destroy men… I cannot watch her destroy our men, I cannot watch her destroy our sons, I cannot watch her destroy our girls who are following her blindly. She called Dr Oby Ezekwesili a useful idiot,” Duru revealed.

She added: “The Nigerian Police should handle the case of Natasha and her false allegations. She said she wants to force the Senate President to step down so that they will have their way to remove what they call Yoruba government.

“Umoren died in 2021. Autopsy was done and there was no organ harvesting.

“I already wrote the international agencies about a senator that claimed to have known something about the murder of a young lady and she kept it to herself. She must explain what she knows about the death.

“She said the reason for the fight was not really about the Senate President but it is about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that they don’t want Yoruba government to go beyond four years. She said no sexual harassment evidence of any kind,” Duru insisted.

According to her, during one of their conversations, Natasha revealed that she had been promised governorship of Kogi State or Minister of Petroleum Resources if she could accomplish the mission of getting the Senate President out.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Israel Arogbonlo, said the Senator would only present her evidence in court.

Nation