<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the head of state and head of the national executive of Nigeria . The President of Nigeria is also the commander - in - chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces . The President is elected in national elections which take place every four years . The first President of Nigeria was Nnamdi Azikiwe, who took office on 1 October 1963 . The current President, Muhammadu Buhari, took office on 29 May 2015 as the 15th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . </P> <P> On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from Britain . An all - Nigerian Executive Council was headed by a Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa . On November 16, 1960, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, became the first Governor - General of a Federation of three Regions of the North, East and West, with Lagos as the Federal Capital . Each of the Regions was headed by a Premier with a Governor as Ceremonial Head . On October 1, 1963, Nigeria became a Federal Republic and severed whatever ties were left with Britain . Nigeria decided, however, to remain in the British Commonwealth of Nations . The Governor - General's position was, therefore, re-designated as President . </P>

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