Born November 13, 1937 in Oktemskom naslege (administrative and territorial unit in Yakutia) Ordzhonikidze district of Yakutia, Yakut.
. After graduating in 1961, the Omsk Veterinary Institute, worked as chief veterinarian Zhigansky region of Yakutia
. He then moved to the Komsomol work.
From 1969 to 1971 he studied at the Higher Party School of the Central Committee. After graduation - on party work.
Since 1975 - deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of Yakutia. From 1979 to 1985 - Minister of Agriculture of the Republic. In 1985 - 89 - Secretary of Party Committee of Yakutsk.
Member of the Supreme Soviet of Yakutia 9 - 11 convocations.
On December 8, 1989 - Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Yakutia.
March 4, 1990 elected people's deputy of the Yakut ASSR. On April 25, 1990 - Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Yakut ASSR.
March 4, 1990 was elected deputy of the RF.
20 December 1991 was elected president of Yakutia, which is 28 December 1991 was renamed the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). January 16, 1992 at the same time headed the government of the republic.
August 13, 1992
Nikolaev, together with the President of Tatarstan M. Shaimiev and Chairman of the Supreme Council of Bashkortostan M. Rakhimov, made a statement in which the federal authorities were accused of "ignoring the legitimate interests of the republics."
. 12 December 1993 was elected to the Federation Council.
. Since January 1996 - Member of the Federation Council of the second convocation.
. December 22, 1996 elected president of Yakutia.
. In May 2000, announced the establishment of the republic 7 new territorial districts and appointing them as their representatives.
. Favorite dishes - Sliced and horse meat, cooked in Yakut.
. Married
. She has two daughters and a son. Wife Dora Nikitichna - pensioner. The daughter of Olga - Executive Director of the International Children's Fund "Children of Sakha-Asia, the daughter Tatiana - Officer" Diamonds of Yakutia-Sakha. Son of Maxim - student MGIMO.