The full list of CBN Governors from 1958 to 2026 begins with Roy Pentelow Fenton in 1958 and reaches Olayemi Cardoso, who remains Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2026. The CBN has had 12 substantive governors, while Sarah Alade and Folashodun Shonubi served as acting governors.
Since Fenton took office, the CBN Governors in Nigeria have included bankers, economists and public officials who served for periods ranging from months to more than 11 years. The past CBN Governors, their tenure dates and the current governor appear below in chronological order.
Full List of CBN Governors from 1958 to 2026
The CBN Governors from 1958 to 2026 start with Roy Pentelow Fenton and include 12 substantive governors. Sarah Alade and Folashodun Shonubi also served as acting governors between substantive appointments.
| No. | CBN Governor | Tenure |
| 1 | Roy Pentelow Fenton | 24 July 1958 – 24 July 1963 |
| 2 | Aliyu Mai-Bornu | 25 July 1963 – 22 June 1967 |
| 3 | Clement Nyong Isong | 15 August 1967 – 22 September 1975 |
| 4 | Adamu Ciroma | 24 September 1975 – 28 June 1977 |
| 5 | Ola Vincent | 28 June 1977 – 28 June 1982 |
| 6 | Abdulkadir Ahmed | 28 June 1982 – 30 September 1993 |
| 7 | Paul Agbai Ogwuma | 1 October 1993 – 29 May 1999 |
| 8 | Joseph Oladele Sanusi | 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2004 |
| 9 | Charles Chukwuma Soludo | 29 May 2004 – 29 May 2009 |
| 10 | Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi | 3 June 2009 – 20 February 2014 |
| — | Sarah Alade (Acting) | 20 February 2014 – 3 June 2014 |
| 11 | Godwin Emefiele | 3 June 2014 – 9 June 2023 |
| — | Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi (Acting) | 9 June 2023 – 15 September 2023 |
| 12 | Olayemi Cardoso | 5 October 2023 – Present |
1. Roy Pentelow Fenton
Roy Pentelow Fenton was the first Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He served from 24 July 1958 to 24 July 1963.
Fenton handed over to Aliyu Mai-Bornu after five years in office.
2. Aliyu Mai-Bornu
Aliyu Mai-Bornu was the first Nigerian CBN Governor. He succeeded Fenton on 25 July 1963 and served until 22 June 1967.
Mai-Bornu had previously served as Deputy Governor of the CBN.
3. Clement Nyong Isong
Clement Nyong Isong served as CBN Governor from 15 August 1967 to 22 September 1975. He succeeded Aliyu Mai-Bornu and remained in office for more than eight years.
Isong later became Governor of Cross River State.
4. Adamu Ciroma
Adamu Ciroma served as CBN Governor from 24 September 1975 to 28 June 1977. He succeeded Clement Isong.
Ciroma later served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance.
5. Ola Vincent
Ola Vincent served as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 28 June 1977 to 28 June 1982. He succeeded Adamu Ciroma and served for five years.
Vincent later became associated with the establishment of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation.
6. Abdulkadir Ahmed
Abdulkadir Ahmed served as CBN Governor from 28 June 1982 to 30 September 1993. He remained in office for more than 11 years.
Ahmed holds the record for the longest tenure among Nigeria’s substantive CBN Governors.
7. Paul Agbai Ogwuma
Paul Agbai Ogwuma served as CBN Governor from 1 October 1993 to 29 May 1999. He succeeded Abdulkadir Ahmed.
Before becoming governor, Ogwuma served as Managing Director of Union Bank of Nigeria.
8. Joseph Oladele Sanusi
Joseph Oladele Sanusi served as CBN Governor from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2004. He succeeded Paul Ogwuma.
Sanusi previously served as Chief Executive of First Bank of Nigeria.
9. Charles Chukwuma Soludo
Charles Chukwuma Soludo served as CBN Governor from 29 May 2004 to 29 May 2009. He succeeded Joseph Sanusi.
During his tenure, the CBN introduced a banking consolidation programme that increased the minimum capital requirement for commercial banks.
Soludo later became Governor of Anambra State in 2022.
10. Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi
Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi served as CBN Governor from 3 June 2009 to 20 February 2014. He succeeded Charles Soludo.
President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi from office on 20 February 2014, after which Sarah Alade became acting governor.
Sarah Alade — Acting CBN Governor
Sarah Alade served as acting CBN Governor from 20 February 2014 to 3 June 2014. She took over after Sanusi’s suspension.
Alade had previously served as a Deputy Governor of the CBN.
11. Godwin Emefiele
Godwin Emefiele served as CBN Governor from 3 June 2014 to 9 June 2023. He succeeded Sarah Alade.
Emefiele previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank and received Senate confirmation for a second five-year term in 2019.
Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi — Acting CBN Governor
Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi served as acting CBN Governor from 9 June 2023 to 15 September 2023. He took over after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Godwin Emefiele.
Shonubi had served as a Deputy Governor of the CBN before becoming acting governor.
12. Olayemi Cardoso
Olayemi Cardoso is the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2026. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him on 15 September 2023, and he formally assumed duty in an acting capacity on 22 September 2023 pending Senate confirmation.
The CBN states that Cardoso assumed office as Governor on 5 October 2023.
Cardoso previously served as Chairman of Citibank Nigeria and Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget.
Who Is the Current CBN Governor in 2026?
Olayemi Cardoso is the current CBN Governor in 2026. The Central Bank of Nigeria continues to list Cardoso as Governor and Chairman of its Monetary Policy Committee.
Cardoso chaired the CBN’s 306th Monetary Policy Committee press briefing on 21 July 2026.
Who Was the First CBN Governor?
Roy Pentelow Fenton was the first CBN Governor. He served from 24 July 1958 to 24 July 1963.
Fenton handed over to Aliyu Mai-Bornu on 25 July 1963.
Who Was the First Nigerian CBN Governor?
Aliyu Mai-Bornu was the first Nigerian CBN Governor. He succeeded Roy Pentelow Fenton on 25 July 1963.
Mai-Bornu served until 22 June 1967.
How Many CBN Governors Have There Been?
Nigeria has had 12 substantive CBN Governors since 1958. Sarah Alade and Folashodun Shonubi also served as acting governors.
Therefore, 14 people have headed the CBN when substantive and acting governors are counted.
Who Was the Longest-Serving CBN Governor?
Abdulkadir Ahmed was the longest-serving substantive CBN Governor. He served from 28 June 1982 to 30 September 1993.
His tenure lasted more than 11 years.
FAQs: List of CBN Governors
Who is the current CBN Governor in 2026?
Olayemi Cardoso is the current CBN Governor in 2026. He assumed office as Governor on 5 October 2023.
Who was the first CBN Governor?
Roy Pentelow Fenton was the first CBN Governor. He served from 24 July 1958 to 24 July 1963.
Who was the first Nigerian CBN Governor?
Aliyu Mai-Bornu was the first Nigerian CBN Governor. He served from 25 July 1963 to 22 June 1967.
How many substantive CBN Governors have there been?
Nigeria has had 12 substantive CBN Governors since 1958. Two acting governors also served during transitions.
How many people have headed the CBN?
Fourteen people have headed the CBN when the 12 substantive governors and two acting governors are counted.
Who was the longest-serving CBN Governor?
Abdulkadir Ahmed was the longest-serving substantive CBN Governor. He served from 28 June 1982 to 30 September 1993.
Who was CBN Governor before Olayemi Cardoso?
Godwin Emefiele was the substantive CBN Governor before Olayemi Cardoso. Folashodun Shonubi served as acting governor between Emefiele and Cardoso.
Who was the first female CBN Governor?
Sarah Alade was the first woman to serve as CBN Governor, in an acting capacity. She served from 20 February to 3 June 2014.
