BY SAMINU MACHUNGA
The fashion of Nigerian Presidents has evolved over time, from the military era, to the long flowing agbada robes that marked democracy.
Soon after Nigeria gained her independence in 1960, Nigeria was thrust into a military regime with General Aguiyi Ironsi serving as the first military head of state.
Shehu Shagari served as the first and only President of Nigeria’s Second Republic after the handover of power by Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government in 1979.
Four years later, Muhammadu Buhari took over as the military head of state in 1983 and the nation was kept at bay under military rule up until 1999 when Nigeria ushered in a democratically elected president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The fashion of the military has never been flexible. So every military head of state that served was still confined to the rules of the military, despite being in the highest position in the nation.
Although, military personnel still have up to six clothing options. From the ceremonial garb for weddings and parades, service dress for church/mosque occasions, mess kit for occasions like regimental dinner night, tetron for office duties, camouflage for operations and trainings, and the jacket worn to seminars and promotion decoration.
Aguiyi Ironsi 16/1/1966 – 29/7/1966
Yakubu Gowon 29/7/1966 – 19/7/1975
Murtala Mohammed 29/7/1975 -13/2/1975
Olusegun Obasanjo 13/2/1976 – 30/9/1979
Shehu Shagari 1/10/1979 – 31/12/1983
Muhammadu Buhari 31/12/1983 -27/8/1985
Ibrahim Babangida 27/8/1985 – 17/11/1993
Sani Abacha 17/11/1993 – 9/6/1998
Abdulsalami Abubakar 9/6/1998 – 29/5/1999
Here comes democracy with all its many freedoms. In as much as freedoms abound, a president must always look presidential.
Of the four democratically elected presidents Nigeria has had, their style has always leaned towards their tribe.
Usually around election periods, aspiring or current presidents usually wear attires from other tribes to promote Nigeria’s ‘unity in diversity’ mantra. But soon after, revert to the northern kaftan (usually white), or the Yoruba abgada, or south-south attire for daily affairs.
It’s important to note that most traditional attires have their unique headgear. So majority of the time, even during military rule, Nigerian leaders always wear a type of headgear. It is also not very often we see a Nigerian president dressed in a suit and tie. Goodluck Jonathan wore a suit on the most occasions as a Nigerian president.
Olusegun Obasanjo 29/5/1999 – 29/5/2007
UmaruMusa Yar’Adua 29/5/2007 – 19/5/2010
Goodluck Jonathan 19/5/2010 – 29/5/2015
Muhammadu Buhari 29/5/2015 – Present
