NigeriaDecides: The 5 youngest head of states in Nigeria's history

On Saturday, February 16, 2019, Nigerians will go to the poll to elect a new president.
Thanks to the new 'Not Too Young To Run' bill, the next head of state could be as young as 35.
Business Insider Sub-Saharan Africa by Pulse looks at the youngest head of states in the country's history.

Nigeria's 2019 general elections kick off tomorrow, February 16, 2019, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

This year promises to be different with the signing of the Not Too Young To Run Bill which reduces the presidential age limit from 40 to 35.

Now, there is the option of 35-year-old Chike Ukaegbu, the youngest presidential candidate in Nigerian history.

As the 84,004,084 registered voters get ready to chose the next hopefully young leader, Business Insider Sub-Saharan Africa by Pulse looks at the youngest head of states ever to take office.

They are:

General Yakubu Gowon (31 years old)

He was born on October 19, 1934. Following the assassination of Major General Aguiyi-Ironsi, the second Nigerian president and the first military head of state on July 29, 1966, Gowon took over.

former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon ece-auto-gen

He became the third President of Nigeria and youngest head of state ever on August 1, 1966, before his 32nd birthday on October 19th.

Gowon has the longest tenure in Nigerian history (1966–1975).

ALSO READ: Whoever wins Nigeria’s 2019 presidential elections will have to face the following economic realities

General Murtala Muhammed (37 years old)

He was born on November 8, 1938. After criticising General Aguiyi-Ironsi's leadership and serving as a federal commissioner under Gowon, he stepped into office on July 29, 1975.

Murtala Muhammed on the 20 Naira note ece-auto-gen

Gen. Muhammed became the fourth Nigerian head of state at the age of 37. He was assassinated ten days after creating nine new states - Bauchi; Benue; Borno; Imo; Niger; Ogun; and Ondo. The creation occurred on February 3, 1976.

General Olusegun Obasanjo (39 years old)

He was born on May 5, 1937. The Supreme Military Council appointed him as the head of state on Feb 13, 1976.

Obasanjo is the first person to rule Nigeria as a military leader and a civilian president when he was 39 years old.

General Abdusalami Abubakar handing over power to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, on May 29, 1999. ece-auto-gen