Population during each president's tenure
Every president since 1991, ranked by how population changed from their first day in office. Politare shows what happened during a tenure; it does not claim the office-holder caused it.
| # | President | In office | Total | Per year | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PDP Olusegun Obasanjo | 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 | +24.4% 1998 → 2006 | +2.8%/yr | |
| 2 | APC Muhammadu Buhari | 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 | +20.0% 2014 → 2022 | +2.3%/yr | |
| 3 | PDP Goodluck Jonathan | 9 Feb 2010 – 29 May 2015 | +14.7% 2009 → 2014 | +2.8%/yr | |
| 4 | N Sani Abacha | 17 Nov 1993 – 9 Jun 1998 | +11.1% 1993 → 1997 | +2.7%/yr | |
| 5 | PDP Umaru Musa Yar'Adua | 29 May 2007 – 9 Feb 2010 | +8.7% 2006 → 2009 | +2.8%/yr | |
| 6 | APC Bola Tinubu | 29 May 2023 – now | +6.4% 2022 → 2025 | +2.1%/yr |
Sorted by total, highest first. Every row is indexed to the last count complete before the first day in office ("from" marks a start that had to move because that count had no data, or because the period cut it); Levels are per cent changes, rates are differences in %; "per year" compounds levels and divides rates. Tenures with under 12 months, or under three observations, are left out. millions, mid-year estimate · World Bank (SP.POP.TOTL) from the UN's World Population Prospects, mid-year; Nigeria has held no census since 2006 · Nigeria data · as of Aug 2026.