NIGERIA AT A GLANCE

Many of us have wondered about the background of our very own country Nigeria. Nigeria, a land of rust gold, flowing with milk and honey. To a common Nigerian, Nigeria’s a terrible country in which lions and wolves (leaders) dwell feeding on the common man. But out of these woeful stories, there are sweet stories we can tell. Nigeria is the best place any one can live someone might say. Nigeria has one of the most hospitable sets of people. That aside, let’s have a quick rundown on the Nigerian history. At the end of this piece, you should be able to mention the Nigerian leaders that have reigned in succession.

On 1st October, Nigeria became self-governing from British colonial rule and was administered at the center by the Federal Government and three regions Governments in the East, West and North of the country. The government of Tafawa Balewa was inaugurated in 1960. The military regime in Nigeria shot itself to power in January 15, 1996. Major Kaduna Nzeogwu led the coup that ended the Tafawa Balewa government massacring prominent politicians in Nigeria including the Prime minister. Major Aguyi Ironsi took over and arrested the culprits. Most Nigerians especially the Northern and Western extraction felt that the coup was biased against the North and the West and they demanded that the culprits be tried and executed. Aguyi Ironsi was arrested and executed in the western region on his tour to duse the tension in the nation.
source: google
July 29, 1996, General Gowon took over. However, by 1967, there was a major challenge between Gowon, the Head of State and the military administrator of the Eastern region, Col. Ojukwu Odumegwu. Ojukwu felt that Gowon was not doing enough to protect the Igbos in the North. Eventually, May 30, 1967, civil war broke out between Nigeria and a breakaway region called Biafra. The War lasted for 30 months and ended on 15th January, 1970. By 1975, the regime of Gowon was overthrown by a group of Army officers led by General Murtala Muhammed.

Muritala Muhammed was executed February 13, 1976 in a failed coup attempt led by Col. Dimka. General Olusegun Obasanjo took over in 1976 and handed over to Alhaji Shehu Shagari on October 1st, 1979. That 2nd republic was short lived because the army struck again, December 31st, 1983 which was led by General Buhari and Idiagbon.
August 27th, 1985, Babangida took over. Babangida handed over to Abacha 17th November, 1993. By June 8, 1998, Abacha died in office and general Abubakar took over the mantle of leadership and handed over to Obasanjo on 29th May, 1999. That was the inception of Democracy in Nigeria after which Obasanjo handed over to Yar’adua and to President Goodluck Jonathan and finally Buhari in power today.