Since the return to democracy in 1999, only two geopolitical zones have never produced either a President or Vice President:
South East
North Central
Zones that have produced Presidents or Vice Presidents since 1999:
North West:
President: Umaru Musa Yar’Adua
President: Muhammadu Buhari
Vice President: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (pre-1999 influence still relevant to zoning conversation)
South West:
President: Olusegun Obasanjo
Vice President: Yemi Osinbajo
South South:
President: Goodluck Jonathan (also served as Vice President before that)
North East:
Vice President: Atiku Abubakar (1999–2007)
(Note: Kashim Shettima is current Vice President as of 2025)
What about the Senate Presidency?
South East:
Held the position 5 times, totaling 8 years:
Evans Enwerem
Chuba Okadigbo
Pius Anyim
Adolphus Wabara
Ken Nnamani
North Central:
Held the position 2 times, totaling 12 years:
David Mark (2007–2015)
Bukola Saraki (2015–2019)
South South:
Held the position once so far:
Godswill Akpabio (2023–present) – currently serving
Summary Insight:
Despite their deep political participation, the South East and North Central remain the only two zones yet to produce a President or Vice President in Nigeria.
This fact plays a crucial role in ongoing debates around equity, inclusion, and zoning in national leadership.
