The first executive president of Nigeria was_________

Analyze the question: It asks who was the first executive president of Nigeria. The word "executive" is the key. It means the president is both head of state and head of government, as under the presidential system.

Explain the concept: Nigeria has used different systems of government:

• First Republic (1963-1966): Parliamentary system. The president was a ceremonial head of state, and the Prime Minister held the real executive power. • Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the first (ceremonial) President. • Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the Prime Minister.
• Military era (1966-1979): Military heads of state such as General Yakubu Gowon, who was not a president.
• Second Republic (1979-1983): Nigeria adopted the American-style presidential system under the 1979 Constitution. The president became both head of state and head of government.

Solution, step by step:

1. Azikiwe was president, but not an executive one, because the real power lay with the Prime Minister. So A is wrong.
2. Balewa was Prime Minister, not president. So B is wrong.
3. Gowon was a military Head of State (1966-1975). So C is wrong.
4. Alhaji Shehu Shagari won the 1979 election and was sworn in on 1 October 1979. He was the first executive president of Nigeria, serving until the military coup of December 1983.

**Answer: D. Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

Exam tip: Link "executive president" with the "Second Republic, 1979". Remember: Azikiwe was ceremonial president, Shagari was executive president. Also remember "Balewa = Prime Minister" and "Gowon = military".