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SubjectFree lesson

Military Rule in Nigeria

ClassNotes Team 5 MIN READUPDATED 13 JUN 2026

Government SSS 3 Second Term

WEEK 2

Military Rule in Nigeria

Performance Objectives

Student should be able to:

1.Explain military rule from 1966-1975

2. 1975-1979

3. 1983-1985

4. 1985-1993

5. 1993-1999

Content

i. 1966 - 1975

ii. 1975 - 1979

iii. 1983 - 1985

iv. 1985 - 1993

v. 1993 - 1999

Military rule from 1966-1979

Nigeria's first military junta began following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état which overthrew the First Nigerian Republic. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was made the Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, serving for six months before being overthrown and assassinated in the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup. Aguiyi-Ironsi was succeeded by General Yakubu Gowon, who established a Supreme Military Council.

Military rule from 1975-1979

Gowon held power until July 1975, when he was overthrown in a bloodless coup.

Brigadier (late General Murtala Mohammed) succeeded Gowon. Months later, in February 1976, Mohammed was assassinated by Buka Suka Dimka and others in a violent coup attempt, but the plotters failed to kill Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ, who then succeeded Mohammed as head of state.

The Supreme Military Council was formally dissolved when Ọbasanjọ handed power to the elected Shehu Shagari, ending the military regime and establishing the Nigerian Second Republic.

Military rule from 1983-1985

Shagari was overthrown in the 1983 Nigerian coup d'état and succeeded by Muhammadu Buhari, who was appointed Chairman of a new Supreme Military Council of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by the junta. Buhari ruled for two years, until the 1985 Nigerian coup d'état, when he was overthrown by General Ibrahim Babangida.

Military rule 1985-1993

General Ibrahim Babangida promulgated himself as the President of the Armed Forces Ruling Council and the first military President of Nigeria. His rule was the longest-serving in peacetime and his administration typified the military dictatorships of the 20th century.

Babangida promised a return of democracy when he seized power, but he ruled Nigeria for eight years, when he temporarily handed power to the interim head of state Ernest Shonekan in 1993 in a move towards democratization. Two months later, however, Shonekan was overthrown by General Sani Abacha while Babangida was visiting Egypt.

Military rule from 1993-1999

In 1993, General Sani Abacha overthrew Interim National Government and appointed himself Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria. After Abacha died in 1998, General Abdulsalami Abubakar took over and ruled until Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ again became head of state (via the 1999 presidential election), ending the junta and establishing the Fourth Nigerian Republic.

Reasons for Military Rule or Intervention in Nigeria

1.  Tribal loyalty

2. Regional differences

3. Regional/state-based political parties.

4. Politicization of the army.

5. Dispute over census result.

6. General election crisis of 1964

7. Western Nigeria election crisis of 1965

8. Allegation of corruption, nepotism, sectionalism

Achievements of Military Rule in Nigeria

1. Infrastructure development.

2. The military initiated various programmes like Operation Feed the Nation (OFN).

3. Encouragement of regional cooperation.

4. New constitution in 1979.

5. States creation.

6. Promotion of national integration(NYSC 1973).

7. New Capital territory.

8. Change in the pattern of driving (April 2, 1972).

9. Local government reforms. (1976 and 1990)

 

Structure of Military Rule

1. The Armed Forces Ruling Council

This was the supreme body which performed legislative functions. These are top-ranking military officers- Inspector - General of Police, Attorney-General, with president as chairman.

2. The Council of Ministers

It was composed of the president, vice-president and the ministers whom part of them are military officers and others were civilians. They perform executive functions with the president as Chairman.

3. The National Council of State

It is composed of the Head of state/president, Chief of General staff, Minister of defence, Service Chief of the army, the Navy and the Air force, the Inspector General of Police, Attorney-General and all Military Governors. This council was charged with Coordination and harmonisation of the work of the various state governments and the Federal Military Government. Former Heads of states were also members.

4. The Judiciary

This remained the same as in the civilian era with Chief Justice as the head. Inclusive are various tribunals which had judges and military officers as members.

5. The Civil service

The secretary to the military government is head of public services. Director-General replaced Civil service reforms.

Weaknesses of Military Rule in Nigeria

1. Incompetence or inexperience of the leader

2. It leads to dictatorship

3. Independence of Judiciary is sometimes not guaranteed.

4. Non-tolerance to criticism

5. Corruption was promoted

6. Mismanagement and wastage of public funds.

7. Violation of the rights of man

8. No respect for the rule of law

9. It is democratic

10. Failure to conduct reliable and acceptable census.

Measures that could be taken to prevent Military intervention in Nigeria

1. Free and fair elections.

2. Rules and regulations should be considered when playing the game of politics.

3. Politicians in government should be accountable enough.

4. Ethnics politics should be avoided by the politicians.

5. Good leadership.

6. Political education.

7. Effective and efficient management of public funds.

8. Independence of the Judiciary.

9. Fundamental human rights should be respected.