Nigerian Leaders since Independence: Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010)

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010) was the President of Nigeria and the 13th Head of State. He served as Governor of Katsina State in Northern Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2007. He was declared the winner of the April 21, 2007 presidential elections on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, and was sworn in on 29 May 2007.

Early life
Yar'Adua was born into an aristocratic Fulani family in Katsina. His father, a former Minister for Lagos during the First Republic, held the royal title of Mutawalli (custodian of the treasury) of the Katsina Emirate, a title which Yar'Adua inherited. He started his education at Rafukka Primary School in 1958, and moved to Dutsinma Boarding Primary School in 1962. He attended the Government College at Keffi from 1965 until 1969. In 1971, he received a Higher School Certificate from Barewa College. He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria from 1972 to 1975, obtaining a BSc degree in Education and Chemistry. In 1978, he returned to the university to pursue an MSc degree in Analytical Chemistry.

Nigerian Leaders since Independence: General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999)

General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (born June 13, 1942) was President of Nigeria from June 9, 1998 until May 29, 1999. He succeeded General Sani Abacha upon Abacha's death. Abubakar transferred power to President-elect Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.

Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar hails from the Gwarii ethnic group and was born in Minna, Niger State. He was educated at Native Authority Primary School in that city, the Provincial Secondary School in Bida, and finally the Technical Institute, Kaduna. After this, he joined the Military. General Abubakar led Nigeria's contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and eventually rose to the role of Chief of Defence Staff. His wife's name is Fati and they have six children.