List of Presidents of Fiji: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Fiji from 1987 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Fiji, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Fiji: Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (in office since 2024). Fiji became a republic on 7 October 1987 after two military coups. The president is a largely ceremonial head of state appointed by Parliament for a three-year term, renewable once, and executive power rests with the prime minister. Lalabalavu's term runs to 2027.

Presidents of Fiji in order, with years in office

Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau

Served: 1987–1993

Last governor-general of Fiji; appointed the first president on 5 December 1987 after the coups and the end of the monarchy, and died in office on 15 December 1993.

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

Served: 1993–2000

Veteran statesman and the country's first prime minister after independence; became president on 16 December 1993 and resigned on 29 May 2000 during the Speight coup.

Ratu Josefa Iloilo

Served: 2000–2009

Appointed on 13 July 2000 after the coup crisis; Frank Bainimarama declared himself acting president after the December 2006 coup, and Iloilo was reinstated in January 2007. He left office on 30 July 2009.

Ratu Epeli Nailatikau

Served: 2009–2015

Retired brigadier-general who succeeded Iloilo as acting president on 30 July 2009 and was sworn in as president on 5 November 2009. He died on 26 March 2026.

Jioji Konrote

Served: 2015–2021

Retired major-general elected by Parliament in October 2015 and sworn in on 12 November 2015; re-elected unopposed in 2018 and served until November 2021.

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere

Served: 2021–2024

Elected by Parliament on 22 October 2021 and sworn in on 12 November 2021; his term ended in November 2024.

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu

Served: 2024–present

Elected by Parliament in October 2024 and in office since 12 November 2024; his term runs to 2027.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Fiji

Who is the current president of Fiji?

The current president of Fiji is Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, in office since 2024. Fiji became a republic on 7 October 1987 after two military coups. The president is a largely ceremonial head of state appointed by Parliament for a three-year term, renewable once, and executive power rests with the prime minister. Lalabalavu's term runs to 2027.

Who were the previous presidents of Fiji?

The presidents and heads of state of Fiji listed on this page, in order, are: Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Jioji Konrote, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

Who was the first president of Fiji?

Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau was the first president of Fiji, in office 1987–1993.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Fiji; Fiji Government, UAE WAM and Fiji press reports confirming Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu in office through October 2026 (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of presidents since 1987.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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