| Name | Title | Took office | Left office | Party | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillip Ayeni | Administrator | 7 October 1996 | 28 February 1997 | Military | ||
| Habu Daura | Administrator | 28 February 1997 | 27 June 1997 | Military | ||
| Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade | Administrator | 27 June 1997 | 9 July 1998 | Military | ||
| Paul Obi | Administrator | 9 July 1998 | 29 May 1999 | Military | ||
| Diepreye Alamieyeseigha | Governor | 29 May 1999 | 9 December 2005 | PDP | ||
| Goodluck Jonathan | Governor | 9 December 2005 | 29 May 2007 | PDP | ||
| Timipre Sylva | Governor | 29 May 2007 | 16 April 2008 | PDP | ||
| Werinipre Seibarugo | Acting Governor | 16 April 2008 | 27 May 2008 | Acting governor after Timipre Sylva's election was nullified. | ||
| Timipre Sylva | Governor | 27 May 2008 | 27 January 2012 | PDP | Re-elected | |
| Nestor Binabo | Acting Governor | 27 January 2012 | 14 February 2012 | Acting governor after Timipre Sylva's tenure was terminated by the Supreme Court. | ||
| Henry Dickson | Governor | 14 February 2012 | 14 February 2020 | PDP | ||
| Duoye Diri | Governor | 14 February 2020 | Incumbent | PDP | Affirmed Governor-Elect by Supreme Court after he lost the election |