The Complete List of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governors: 1958 – 2026
Since its establishment in 1958, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been led by 12 substantive governors and a few acting heads. Each leader has shaped the Nigerian Naira and the nation's banking landscape through various economic cycles, from the Civil War to the 2026 recapitalization era.
Chronological List of CBN Governors
Below is the definitive historical record of every individual who has held the office of the governor of the central bank of nigeria.
Who are the past Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria?
The list of CBN Governors includes 12 substantive leaders and 2 notable acting heads. Since 1958, these governors have shaped Nigeria's monetary policy, from the first indigenous governor, Aliyu Mai-Bornu, to the 2026 incumbent, Olayemi Cardoso.
| S/N | CBN Governor Name | Tenure Start | Tenure End | Key Historical Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roy Pentelow Fenton | July 1958 | July 1963 | The first and only non-Nigerian (British) Governor. |
| 2 | Aliyu Mai-Bornu | July 1963 | June 1967 | First indigenous (Nigerian) Governor of the CBN. |
| 3 | Clement Nyong Isong | Aug 1967 | Sept 1975 | Managed Nigeria's economy during the Civil War. |
| 4 | Adamu Ciroma | Sept 1975 | June 1977 | Held the shortest substantive tenure in bank history. |
| 5 | Ola Vincent | June 1977 | June 1982 | Instrumental in the formation of the NDIC. |
| 6 | Abdulkadir Ahmed | June 1982 | Sept 1993 | Longest-serving Governor in Nigerian history. |
| 7 | Paul Agbai Ogwuma | Oct 1993 | May 1999 | Oversaw deregulation of the FX market. |
| 8 | Joseph Oladele Sanusi | May 1999 | May 2004 | Introduced N100, N200, N500, and N1000 notes. |
| 9 | Chukwuma C. Soludo | May 2004 | May 2009 | Led the 2005 Banking Consolidation (N25bn capital). |
| 10 | Sanusi Lamido Sanusi | June 2009 | Feb 2014 | Introduced major risk-management transparency. |
| 11 | Godwin Emefiele | June 2014 | June 2023 | First to serve two full terms in the 4th Republic. |
| 12 | Olayemi Cardoso | Sept 2023 | Incumbent | Current Governor leading the 2026 Recapitalization. |
Last updated: January 26, 2026. Verified using official CBN Board data.
Historical "Firsts" & Records
To help you win the "People Also Ask" boxes, here are the most searched trivia points regarding the CBN leadership:
The Longest Tenure: Abdulkadir Ahmed holds the record, serving for over 11 years across four different heads of state.
The Shortest Tenure: Adamu Ciroma served the shortest substantive term, while Sarah Alade (acting) and Folashodun Shonubi (acting) served for only a few months.
From CBN to State House: Two governors later became State Governors: Clement Isong (Cross River) and Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra).
The Foreigner: Roy Pentelow Fenton was a Briton and remains the only foreigner to ever lead the apex bank.
The Role of the Governor in 2026
The governor central bank of nigeria is more than just a banker; he is the custodian of the country's external reserves. In 2026, the office has shifted its focus under Olayemi Cardoso toward "Inflation Targeting" and ensuring that Nigerian banks meet the new N500 billion capital base requirement.
FAQ: Past and Present CBN Governors
Who was the first Nigerian CBN Governor? Aliyu Mai-Bornu became the first Nigerian to lead the bank in 1963, taking over from the inaugural British governor, Roy Fenton.
Who is the longest-serving CBN Governor? Abdulkadir Ahmed is the longest-serving governor in history, occupying the seat from June 1982 to September 1993.
Has Nigeria ever had a female CBN Governor? Nigeria has not yet had a substantive female CBN Governor. However, Dr. Sarah Alade served as the Acting Governor in 2014 following the suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
