As soon as Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in the invited guests in Eagle Square rose to their feet, danced and sang their new president's name. As he was then driven around in an open vehicle, people rushed forward to record the moment on their phones.
This was a time for celebration not just for supporters of the new leader but also for Nigerians who are proud that their country has witnessed this historic transition. By conceding Goodluck Jonathan steered the country away from violence. We will never know how close Nigeria was to the precipice.
Moments after Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in thousands of excited young men ran through the security barriers to Eagle Square and pressed up against the perimeter fence cheered their new leader. It was a stark reminder that so many in Nigeria are expecting change, including jobs, from President Buhari.
As Mr Jonathan is driven away I would not be surprised if he has a sense of relief and feels an almighty weight has just been lifted off his shoulders.
He said Boko Haram could not be said to be defeated without rescuing the more than 200 Chibok girls, whose capture last April sparked a global campaign to bring them back home.
"This government will do all it can to rescue them alive," he said.
Mr Buhari said the Nigerian economy was "in deep trouble", identifying "insecurity, pervasive corruption... and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages" as key concerns.
The country's power supply crisis was "a national shame", he said, which had brought "darkness, frustration, misery, and resignation" to Nigerians.
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