Goodluck Jonathan
First Nigerian president to concede an election defeat.
He was the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to lose re-election, and the first Nigerian president to concede election defeat, allowing a peaceful transfer of power to the opposition party in Africa's biggest democracy.
- born
- 20 November 1957
- field
- Politics
- nationality
- Nigerian
- known_for
- First Nigerian incumbent president to lose re-election; first to concede defeat
Reader's Guide
Goodluck Jonathan's presidency is notable for Nigeria's rebasing of its gross domestic product, making it the largest economy in Africa, and for infrastructure projects including the Abuja-Kaduna railway, the second Niger Bridge, and upgrades to airports. His administration also initiated a power sector reform roadmap that broke up the state electricity provider into 15 private firms. Jonathan was alleged to have ordered over ₦3 trillion from the central bank for his election and other projects under the guise of national security.
Did You Know?
- Jonathan was named Azikiwe by his grandmother in honor of Nigeria’s first President Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.
- He was the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to lose re-election.
- He became the first Nigerian president to concede election defeat, enabling a transfer of power to the opposition.
- Under his administration, Nigeria rebased its GDP and became the largest economy in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Goodluck Jonathan's role in Nigerian government?
He held the office of president, acting as head of state and chief executive of Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. During his single term he exercised the full executive authority of the nation's largest democracy.
Why is Goodluck Jonathan important in African political history?
His decision to accept a lost election set a new democratic benchmark in Nigeria and sent a strong signal across the continent. He became the first incumbent Nigerian president to concede defeat, helping to normalize peaceful opposition transitions in Africa's biggest democracy.
What made Goodluck Jonathan's 2015 election loss historic?
No sitting Nigerian president had ever been voted out before him, so his defeat was a first in the country's post-independence era. His gracious public concession also made him the first Nigerian president to openly acknowledge an electoral loss to the opposition.
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