List of governors of Delta State

Governor of Delta State
Flag of Delta State of Nigeria
since 29 May 2023
Government of Delta State
Style
Member ofExecutive Council of Delta State
Reports toPresident of Nigeria
ResidenceGovernment House, Asaba
SeatAsaba
AppointerPopular vote
Term lengthFour years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Nigeria
Inaugural holderFelix Ibru
Formation27 August 1991
DeputyDeputy governor of Delta State

Delta State, situated in Nigeria's southern region, has had various leaders since Nigeria gained independence in 1960, both military and civilian. After independence in 1960, Nigeria had only three regions, and the area of the future Delta State was located in the Western Region. The Mid-Western Region was separated from the Western Region in August 1963 and had Dennis Osadebay as its initial Premier. Osadebay served until January 1966, when he was replaced by David Akpode Ejoor, the first military governor. Control of the region was contested during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and Ejoor was replaced by Samuel Ogbemudia. Ogbemudia governed the Mid-Western Region from September 1967 to July 1975. The region was renamed and reorganised as the Bendel State on 17 March 1976, its name a combination of the old Benin and Delta provinces. Some governors during this time period include George Agbazika Innih, Husaini Abdullahi, and Ambrose Folorunsho Alli. Ogbemudia also returned for a three-month stint as a civilian governor in 1983 before the military reasserted control.

The modern Delta State was established on 27 August 1991, following the division of Bendel State into Edo and Delta states. Felix Ibru became the first civilian governor of Delta State from January 1992 to November 1993, followed by military governors. In the democratic era, James Ibori served from 1999 to 2007, and was succeeded by Emmanuel Uduaghan. Ifeanyi Okowa served from 2015 to 2023, followed by Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the incumbent.