Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has been sworn in as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, bringing to an end the eight-year administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu, 71, takes office, two months after being declared winner of the keenly contested February 25 presidential election.

With 8,794,726 votes, Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 6,984,520 votes, while Labour Party (LP) candidate Peter Obi, 61, came in third with 6,101,533 ballots.

Tinubu becomes the fifth democratically elected Nigerian President in the fourth Republic.

His predecessors are Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023), Goodluck Jonathan (2010-2015), Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007-2010), and Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007).

As Tinubu and his vice president, Kashim Shettima, take their place in the history books, Channels Television provides you with full coverage of the events of the inauguration.

11:04 pm: UK Govt Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima, Wishes To Build ‘Stronger Friendship’ With Nigeria

The UK Government has congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima on their inauguration.

King Charles III expressed his “warmest congratulations” to the President, while the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said the UK supports a more prosperous and resilient Nigeria.

07:37 pm: CAN congratulates Tinubu on inauguration

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to work tirelessly towards finding lasting solutions that will improve the livelihoods of the people of Nigeria.

06:31 pm: Biden Congratulate Tinubu, Wants Strengthened Ties

US President Joe Biden has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his inauguration, saying he looks forward to working with the new government of Nigeria.

While saying both Nigeria and the US have strong ties which dates several years back, Biden expressed his desire to strengthen the bond.

02: 10 pm: Buhari has arrived in Daura, Katsina alongside his wife and entourage.

01: 27 pm: Tinubu departs Eagle Square to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

01: 24 pm: The National Anthem rents the air as the inauguration winds up.

01:20 pm: Tinubu receives hearty cheers and the 21-gun salute!

01:19 pm: He ends his speech, saying the inauguration “is the proudest day of my life. But this day does not belong to me. It belongs to you, the people of Nigeria”.

01:15 pm: Fuel subsidy is gone, Tinubu declares. He is to review the naira swap policy

Subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources, he added.

01:10 pm: He reiterates his campaign promise of creating one million jobs in the digital economy and working with the National Assembly to fashion an omnibus Jobs and Prosperity bill

01:10 pm: The former governor of Lagos is also promising to review multiple taxations to attract companies and boost the economy

01:01 pm: Tinubu pays respects to his wife, CJN, Gbajabiamila and others

12: 52 pm: Tinubu hails Buhari as a worthy partner, saying as president, he sees all Nigerians as one irrespective of political and ethnic differences.

 

12:43 pm: Bola Tinubu delivers his first speech as Nigeria’s president adorned in a flowing white agbada.

Tinubu and Remi (middle) at the inauguration. Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun

He says the outcome of his election reflected the will of the people but that does not make him more Nigerian than his opponents.

According to him, those aggrieved by the election are well within their rights to seek legal redress as they have done.

12:24 pm: Cultural troupes perform at Eagle Square in Abuja. They reflect Nigeria’s rich heritage.

The military is also on the ground for its colour parade.

12:12 pm: Buhari’s flight takes off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Daura in Katsina State.

 

12:03 pm: Former President Muhammadu Buhari bids his well-wishers farewell as he boards the plane to Daura in Katsina State with his wife.

11:51 am: Ministers of Labour, Chris Ngige, Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Faruk, FCT, and Mohammed Bello among others are at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to bid former President Buhari a farewell to Daura.

11:50 am: President Bola Tinubu’s motorcade parades through Eagle Square. The new Commander-in-Chief also inspects the Armed Forces.

11: 47 am: Nigeria’s former first lady, Aisha Buhari arrives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport ahead of their departure to Daura in Katsina State.

The former president’s media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu amongst other aides of the former President are also here.

11: 31: Aisha Buhari, dignitaries are at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport ahead of Buhari’s departure to Daura, Katsina State.

11:05: Buhari and Osinbajo depart Eagle Square after handing over to Tinubu

10:37 am: Tinubu now sworn in as Nigeria’s president after Shettima was also inaugurated as vice president

 

09: 51 pm: The United Arab Emirates Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, has also arrived for the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.

09:47 am: Bola Tinubu arrives at Eagles Square for his inauguration.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola administered the oath of office to Bola Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima at exactly 10:28 am and 10:38 am respectively.

09:29 am: Kashim Shettima has arrived at Eagle Square to be inaugurated as the nation’s new vice president.

09:31 am: More delegations mostly from African countries are arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for the presidential inauguration ceremony.

First to arrive is the new Prime Minister of Gabon, Mister Billy By-Nze, followed by the President of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire, Mr. Alassane Ouattara.

They are received on arrival by delegations from both their respective diplomatic missions in Nigeria and some Nigerian delegations.

09:25 am: Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola arrives at Eagle Square for the inauguration.

09:17 am: Former president Goodluck Jonathan is also at Eagle Square for the presidential inauguration.

08:47 am: The military is on the ground at the inauguration ceremony.

08:40 am: Dangote, Otedola, Others Arrive at Eagle Square

Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Lai Mohammed, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Festus Keyamo, Akinwumi Adesina, Femi Otedola, Abdul Samad Rabiu, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries are already at Eagle Square.

08:23 am: Tinubu is expected to announce his cabinet within 60 days, according to a lawmaker James Faleke who spoke with Channels Television at Eagle Square.

08: 20 am: Channels Television’s correspondent Kayla Megwa reports that there is tight security, as expected, at Eagle Square.

Only those invited have access to the venue as guests trickle in for the ceremony.

08:11 am: Federal lawmakers, world leaders, and other invited guests are also expected.

08:07 am: Sanwo-Olu thanks Buhari, Wishes Him Well

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is wishing outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari well and thanks him for leading the country in the last eight years.

“I wish you well as you formally handover the mantle of leadership to the President-elect, today Monday, 29th,” he tweeted on Monday.

“To the good people of Lagos, I dedicate this honour to you, for your support and acceptance. You all have given me the opportunity to serve you again. I promise to continue to serve diligently and conscientiously.”

07:30 am: Dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, security agencies, leading members of the APC, and party faithful arrive at the venue of the event.

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