Military Rule in Nigeria

Key vocabulary, military leaders, dates, and historical events related to military rule in Nigeria.

Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu

Army officer who led the first bloody military coup in Nigeria's political history in the early hours of January 15, 1966.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa

Prime Minister of Nigeria who was killed during the first military coup on January 15, 1966.

Counter Coup of July 29, 1966

A military coup staged to topple and kill Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, resulting in Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon taking over political leadership.

General Yakubu Gowon

Military leader who spent nine years in office following the July 29, 1966 coup before being removed by Brigadier Murtala Mohammed.

Lt. Colonel Buka Suka Dimka

Military officer who led an abortive coup on February 13, 1976, in which General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated after 200 days in office.

General Olusegun Obasanjo

Head of State who succeeded Murtala Mohammed and fulfilled the promise to hand over power to a democratically elected civilian government for the Second Republic.

Second Republic (1979-83)

The democratically elected civilian government period that followed General Olusegun Obasanjo's military administration.

Major-General Muhammadu Buhari

Military leader who sacked the democratically elected civilian government in 1983 through a military coup.

Palace Coup

The military action on August 27, 1985, through which Major-General Ibrahim Babangida removed Muhammadu Buhari and declared himself President of Nigeria.

Mamman Vasta Coup Attempt

An unsuccessful military coup attempt staged against Ibrahim Babangida's administration in December 1985.

Major Gideon Orkar

Military officer who led an unsuccessful coup attempt against President Ibrahim Babangida on April 22, 1990.

Chief Emest Sonekan

Head of State who led the interim government set up by Ibrahim Babangida after Babangida stepped aside in 1993.

Lt. General Abacha

Military Head of State who sacked Chief Emest Sonekan's interim government in November 1993 and ruled until his death on June 8, 1998.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Military officer who succeeded Lt. General Abacha as Head of State following Abacha's death on June 8, 1998.