The President of Nigeria is both head of government and head of state of Nigeria.
When Nigeria became a federal republic within the Commonwealth in 1963, it retained the parliamentary system of government inherited from the British. Nnamdi Azikiwe, previously Governor General, became President, which was a ceremonial post, while Abubakar Tafawa Balewa remained Prime Minister.
However, in 1966, the military in Nigeria seized power, establishing a Federal Military Government, and civilian rule was not restored until 1979.
Under the new constitution, modelled on that of the United States, the office of President was an executive post, but in 1983, the military once again seized power. Although elections were held in 1993, the military refused to hand power to the successful candidate, M.K.O. Abiola. Civilian rule was not fully restored until 1999.
