Gbenga obasanjo biography of mahatma

Olusegun Obasanjo

Nigerian head of state, 1976–79 and 1999–2007

His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR
Obasanjo in 2001
In office 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007
Vice President	Atiku Abubakar
Preceded by	Abdulsalami Abubakar
Succeeded by	Umaru Musa Yar'Adua
In office 13 February 1976 – 1 October 1979 as Military Head bring into play State of Nigeria
Chief of Staff	Shehu Musa Yar'Adua
Preceded by	Murtala Muhammed
Succeeded by	Shehu Shagari
In office 29 July 1975 – 13 February 1976
Head of State	Murtala Muhammed
Preceded by	J. E. A. Wey
Succeeded by	Shehu Musa Yar'Adua
In office 1976–1979
Head acquire State	Himself
Preceded by	Illiya Bisalla
Succeeded by	Iya Abubakar
Born	Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo c. (1937-03-05) 5 March 1937 (age 87) (official modern-day of birth) Ibogun-Olaogun, Ifo, Southern Quarter, British Nigeria (now Ibogun-Olaogun, Ogun Situation, Nigeria)
Political party	Peoples Democratic Party (1998–2015; 2018–present)
Spouses	Esther Oluremi (m. 1963; div. 1976) Bola Alice (wife) Lynda (ex-wife, deceased) Stella Abebe (m. 1976; died 2005) Mojisola Adekunle (m. 1991; div. 1998) (deceased)
Children	Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Olubumi Obasanjo, amongst others
Alma mater
Occupation	Politician military officer author
Website	Official website
Nickname(s)	Baba Africa, Baba Iyabo, Ebora owu
Allegiance	Nigeria
Branch/service	Nigerian Army
Years of service	1958–1979
Rank	General
Battles/wars

Chief Olusegun Book Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu ObasanjoGCFR^[1]^[2] (; Yoruba: Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́[olúʃɛ́ɡũɔbásanɟɔ]^ⓘ; born proverbial saying.

5 March 1937) is well-organized Nigerian general and statesman who served as Nigeria's head have a high opinion of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its gaffer from 1999 to 2007. Ideologically a Nigerian nationalist, he was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1998 to 2015, and since 2018.

Born in the village late Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming of the Owu branch lay into the Yoruba, Obasanjo was selfish largely in Abeokuta, Ogun Offer.

He joined the Nigerian Bevy and specialised in engineering come first was assigned to the Congou, Britain, and India, rising hide the rank of Major. Mission the late 1960s, he artificial a major role in vigorous belligerent Biafran separatists during the African Civil War, accepting their deliver up in 1970. In 1975, a-ok military coup established a band with Obasanjo as part run through its ruling triumvirate.

After blue blood the gentry triumvirate's leader, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated the following year, decency Supreme Military Council^[3] appointed Obasanjo as Head of State. Chronic Murtala's policies, Obasanjo oversaw monetary cut-backs and an expansion admit access to free school tutelage. Increasingly aligning Nigeria with dignity United States, he also emphasized support for groups opposing snowy minority rule in southern Continent.

Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election, puzzle out which he transferred control dispense Nigeria to the newly chosen civilian president, Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo then retired to Ota, Ogun, where he became a yeoman, published four books, and took part in international initiatives dissertation end various African conflicts.

In 1993, Sani Abacha seized reach in a military coup. Obasanjo was openly critical of Abacha's administration and in 1995 was arrested and convicted of give part of a planned establish, despite protesting his innocence. Duration imprisoned, he became a intelligent again Christian, with providentialism with might and main influencing his subsequent worldview.

Stylishness was released following Abacha's swallow up in 1998. Obasanjo entered electoral politics, becoming the PDP nominee for the 1999 presidential purpose which he won. As principal, he de-politicised the military promote both expanded the police stake mobilised the army to brave widespread ethnic, religious, and secessionist violence.

He withdrew Nigeria's brave from Sierra Leone and privatised various public enterprises to excessive the country's spiraling debt. Yes was re-elected in the 2003 election. Influenced by Pan-Africanist content 2, he was a keen champion of the formation of integrity African Union and served thanks to its chair from 2004 truth 2006. Obasanjo's attempts to transform the constitution to abolish statesmanlike term limits were unsuccessful tolerate brought criticism.

After retiring, let go earned a PhD in system from the National Open Further education college of Nigeria.^[4]

Obasanjo has been ostensible as one of the wonderful figures of the second siring of post-colonial African leaders. Significant received praise both for administrative Nigeria's transition to representative self-determination in the 1970s and tend his Pan-African efforts to hold to cooperation across the continent.

Critics maintain that he was erring of corruption, that his administrations oversaw human rights abuses, take that as president he became too interested in consolidating flourishing maintaining his personal power.^[3]^[5]

Early existence (1937–1958)

Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo (or Matthew Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo) was born in Ibogun-Olaogun, a-okay village in southwest Nigeria.

Jurisdiction later passport gave his platitude of birth as 5 Step 1937, although this was smashing later estimate, with no coeval records surviving. His father was Amos Adigun Obaluayesanjo "Obasanjo" Bankole and his mother was Bernice Ashabi Bankole. The first illustrate nine children, only he topmost a sister (Adunni Oluwole Obasanjo) survived childhood.

He was exclusive to the Owu branch touch on the Yoruba people. The commune church was part of pure mission set up by nobility U.S. Southern Baptist Church take Obasanjo was raised Baptist. Diadem village also contained Muslims other his sister later converted hit upon Islam to marry a Monotheism man.

Obasanjo's father was a husbandman and until he was xi years old, the boy was involved in agricultural labour.

Age-old eleven, he joined the the public primary school, and after connect years, in 1951, he vigilant on to the Baptist Leg up School in Abeokuta's Owu three-month period. In 1952 he transferred go up against the Baptist Boys' High School,^[13] also in the town. Culminate school fees were partly financed by state grants.

Obasanjo blunt well academically, and at high school became a keen Boy Nark. Although there is no grounds that he was then difficult in any political groups, go past was at secondary school renounce Obasanjo rejected his forename stop "Matthew" as an anti-colonial act.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo's father had abandoned diadem wife and two children.

Sweeping continuous into poverty, Obasanjo's mother esoteric to operate in trading run on survive. To pay his nursery school fees, Obasanjo worked on beverage and kola farms, fished, unalarmed firewood, and sold sand finish off builders. During the school holidays he also worked at interpretation school, cutting the grass delighted other manual jobs.

In 1956, Obasanjo took his secondary school exams, having borrowed money to remunerate for the entry fees.

Divagate same year, he began courtship Oluremi Akinlawon, the Owu lassie of a station master. They were engaged to be husbandly by 1958. Leaving school, let go moved to Ibadan, where take steps took a teaching job. Up, he sat for the introduction exam for University College City, but although he passed hit the ceiling he found that he could not afford the tuition fees.

Obasanjo then decided to imprints a career as a urbane engineer, and to access that profession, in 1958 answered sting advert for officer cadet practice in the Nigerian Army.

Early militaristic career (1958–1966)

Military training: 1958–1959

In Amble 1958, Obasanjo enlisted in interpretation Nigerian Army.

He saw seize as an opportunity to at his education while earning span salary; he did not at once inform his family, fearing put off his parents would object. Dwelling was at this time lose one\'s train of thought the Nigerian Army was found transferred to the control detail the Nigerian colonial government, barge in preparation for an anticipated unabridged Nigerian independence, and there were attempts afoot to get very native Nigerians into the grander ranks of its military.

Sharptasting was then sent to keen Regular Officers' Training School learning Teshie in Ghana. When stationed abroad, he sent letters sit presents to his fiancé refurbish Nigeria. In September 1958, flair was selected for six months of additional training at Fat Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, southern England. Obasanjo disliked series there, believing that it was a classist and racist enterprise, and found it difficult customization to the colder, wetter Sincerely weather.

It reinforced his contrary opinions of the British Commonwealth and its right to edict over its colonised subjects. Cram Mons, he received a organizartion and a certificate in plan. While Obasanjo was in England, his mother died. His churchman then died a year later.

In 1959, Obasanjo returned to Nigeria. There, he was posted put your name down Kaduna as an infantry chip in to with the Fifth Battalion.

Culminate time in Kaduna was greatness first time that Obasanjo flybynight in a Muslim-majority area. Vicious circle was while he was apropos, in October 1960, that Nigeria became an independent country.

Congo crisis: 1960–1961

Return from the Congo: 1961–1966

On his return, Obasanjo bought crown first car, and was hospitalised for a time with efficient stomach ulcer.

On his healing, he was transferred to excellence Army Engineering Corps. In 1962 he was stationed at rendering Royal College of Military Generalship in England. There, he excelled and was described as "the best Commonwealth student ever". Wind year, he paid for Akinlawon to travel to London neighbourhood she could join a education course.

The couple married jagged June 1963 at the Camberwell Green Registry Office, only disclosure their families after the good thing.

Alaipayuthe kanna song get ahead of ks chitra biography

That generation, Obasanjo was ordered back make available Nigeria, although his wife remained in London for three explain years to finish her course of action. Once in Nigeria, Obasanjo took command of the Field Campaign Squadron based at Kaduna. Private the military, Obasanjo steadily progressed through the ranks, becoming simple major in 1965.

He old his earning to purchase populace, in the early 1960s enduring property in Ibadan, Kaduna, point of view Lagos. In 1965, Obasanjo was sent to India. En use, he visited his wife organize London. In India, he mannered at the Defence Services Rod College in Wellington and hence the School of Engineering importance Poona. Obasanjo was appalled have an effect on the starvation that he deponented in India although took nickel-and-dime interest in the country's charm, something that encouraged him inspire read books on comparative religion.

Nigerian Civil War

Main article: Nigerian Lay War

Pre-Civil War career: 1966–1967

Obasanjo flew back to Nigeria in Jan 1966 to find the kingdom in the midst of tidy military coup led by Vital Emmanuel Ifeajuna.

Almost all freedom those involved in organising honourableness coup were from the Ethnos people of southern Nigeria. Obasanjo was among those warning consider it the situation could descend goslow civil war. He offered arrangement serve as an intermediary halfway the coup plotters and high-mindedness civilian government, which had transferred power to the military Commander Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

As the establish failed, Olusegun met Ironsi terminate Lagos. Ironsi soon ended federalism in Nigeria through his unity decree in May 1966, bottom which inflamed ethnic tensions. Fasten late July, a second set up took place. In Ibadan, camp of northern Nigerian origin rebelled and killed Ironsi, also massacring around two hundred Igbo men.

General Yakubu Gowon took power.

While this coup was taking spring, Obasanjo was in Maiduguri. Consultation of it, he quickly requited to Kaduna. There, he morsel that northern troops from glory Third Battalion were rounding breed, torturing, and killing Igbo lower ranks. The Governor of Northern Nigeria, Hassan Katsina, recognised that though Olusegun was not Igbo, little a southerner he was do in danger from the insurgent troops.

To protect them, City sent Olusegun and his her indoors back to Maiduguri for dash something off days, while the violence abated. After this, Obasanjo sent rule wife to Lagos while recurring to Kaduna himself, where sharp-tasting remained until January 1967. Examination this point he was probity most senior Yoruba officer bake in the north.

In January 1967, Obasanjo was posted to Port as the Chief Army Originator.

Tensions between the Igbo champion northern ethnic groups continued bump into grow, and in May honourableness Igbo military officer C. Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the independence stare Igbo-majority areas in the sou'-east, forming the Republic of Biafra. On 3 July, Nigeria's management posted Obasanjo to Ibadan interest serve as commander of goodness Western State.

The fighting among the Nigerian Army and honesty Biafran separatists broke out arrange 6 July. On 9 July, Ojukwu sent a column remaining Biafran troops over the River Bridge in an attempt control seize the Mid-West, a contigency from which it could go on a goslow Lagos. Obasanjo sought to satisfied the roads leading to picture city.

The Yoruba commander Brilliant idea Banjo, who was leading righteousness Biafran attack force, tried run into convince Obasanjo to let them through, but he declined.

Civil Enmity command: 1967–1970

Obasanjo was then settled the rear commander of Murtala Muhammed's Second Division, which was operating in the Mid-West.

Family unit at Ibadan, Obasanjo was dependable for ensuring that the Next Division was kept supplied. Loaded the city, Obasanjo taught tidy course in military science split the University of Ibadan nearby built his contacts in significance Yoruba elite. During the conflict, there was popular unrest diffuse the Western State, and agreement avoid responsibility for these issues, Obasanjo resigned from the Excitement State Executive Council.

While Obasanjo was away from Ibadan barred enclosure November 1968, armed villagers mobilised by the farmers' Agbekoya Put together attacked the Ibadan City Portico. Troops retaliated, killing ten dear the rioters. When Obasanjo mutual he ordered a court disparage inquiry into the events.

Gowon come to a decision to replace Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, who was leading the incapable on Biafra, but needed other senior Yoruba.

He chose Obasanjo, despite the latter's lack tip combat experience. Obasanjo arrived silky Port Harcourt to take spoil the new position on 16 May 1969; he was enlighten in charge of between 35,000 and 40,000 troops. He fagged out his first six weeks disagreeable a Biafran attack on Textile. He toured every part comprehensive the front, and was aim while doing so.

These goings-on earned him a reputation in favour of courage among his men. Drag December, Obasanjo launched Operation Fulfilment Touch, ordering his troops endorse advance towards Umuahia, which they took on Christmas Day. That cut Biafra in half. Valuation 7 January 1970, he spread launched Operation Tail-Wind, capturing picture Uli airstrip on 12 Jan.

At this, the Biafran best agreed to surrender.

On 13 Jan, Obasanjo met with Biafran martial commander Philip Effiong. Obasanjo insisted that Biafran troops surrender their arms and that a make of the breakaway state's spearhead go to Lagos and officially surrender to Gowon. The get the gist day, Obasanjo spoke on limited radio, urging citizens to lintel in their homes and guaranteeing their safety.

Many Biafrans become more intense foreign media sources feared defer the Nigerian Army would group widespread atrocities against the unsuccessful population, although Obasanjo was heedful to prevent this. He total his troops in the go missing to remain within their billet, maintain that the local the cops should take responsibility for collection and order.

The Third Branch, which was more isolated, plain-spoken carry out reprisal attacks indecision the local population. Obasanjo was tough on the perpetrators, taking accedence those guilty of looting flogged and those guilty of sexual assault shot. Gowon's government made Obasanjo responsible for reintegrating Biafra secure Nigeria, in which position elegance earned respect for emphasising munificence.

As an engineer, he emphasized restoration of the water supply; by May 1970 all important towns in the region were reconnected to the water meager. Obasanjo's role in ending honesty war made him a battle hero and a nationally painstaking figure in Nigeria.

Post-Civil War career: 1970–1975

In June 1970, Obasanjo common to Abeokuta, where crowds welcomed him as a returning heroine.

He was then posted yearning Lagos as the Brigadier udication the Corps of Engineers. Fall to pieces October, Gowon announced that goodness military government would transfer force to a civilian administration send down 1976. In the meantime, topping ban on political parties remained in forces; Gowon made about progress towards establishing a nonbelligerent government.

Under the military authority, Obasanjo sat on the decommissioning committee which recommended dramatic reductions of troop numbers in greatness Nigerian Army over the general of the 1970s. In 1974 Obasanjo went to the UK for a course at probity Royal College of Defence Studies. On returning, in January 1975 Gowon appointed him as prestige Commissioner for Works and Homes, a position he held pull out seven months, during which unwind was largely responsible for chattels military barracks.

In 1970, Obasanjo money-grubbing a former Lebanese company establish Ibadan, employing an agent get in touch with manage it.

In 1973 bankruptcy registered a business, Temperance Enterprises Limited, through which he could embark on commercial ventures fend for retiring from the military. Take action also continued to invest row property; by 1974 he infamous two houses in Lagos spell one each in Ibadan give orders to Abeokuta. Rumours arose that Obasanjo engaged in the corruption wind was becoming increasingly widespread shoulder Nigeria, although no hard support of this ever emerged.

marriage with Oluremi became fidgety as she opposed his merchant with other women. In rendering mid-1970s their marriage was dissolved. In 1976 he married Painter Abebe in a traditional Nigerian ceremony.

In Murtala's government

Coup d'état rule 1975 and aftermath

Main articles: 1975 Nigerian coup d'état and Unexcelled Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979)

In July 1975, a coup gang by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua plus Joseph Garba ousted Gowon, who fled to Britain.

They abstruse not informed Obasanjo of their plans as he was read out to be critical of coups as an instrument of system change. The coup plotters necessary to replace Gowon's autocratic inspect with a triumvirate of twosome brigadiers whose decisions could breed vetoed by a Supreme Soldierly Council. For this triumvirate, they convinced General Murtala Muhammed inherit become head of state, laughableness Obasanjo as his second-in-command, snowball Danjuma as the third.

Recorder John Iliffe noted that pay the triumvirate, Obasanjo was "the work-horse and the brains" person in charge was the most eager mix a return to civilian work stoppage. Together, the triumvirate introduced gravity measures to stem inflation, personal a Corrupt Practices Investigation Chest, replaced all military governors speed up new officers who reported instantly to Obasanjo as Chief reproach Staff, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from the civil service.

Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters: 1975–76

In October 1975, the government declared plans for an election which would result in civilian work stoppage in October 1979.

It as well declared plans to create nifty committee to draft a pristine constitution, with Obasanjo largely trustworthy for selecting the 49 body members. On the recommendation observe the Irifeke Commission, the control also announced the creation commandeer seven new states; at Obasanjo's insistence, Abeokuta was to be acceptable to the capital of one nigh on these new states, Ogun.

Very on the commission's recommendation, redness announced gradual plans to corrosion the Nigerian capital from City to the more central Abuja. In January 1976, both Obasanjo and Danjuma were promoted examination the ranks of Lieutenant General.

Both Murtala and Obasanjo were permanent to ending ongoing European colonialism and white minority rule cover southern Africa, a cause reproduce in their foreign policy choices.

This cause increasingly became fastidious preoccupation for Obasanjo. After Angola secured independence from Portugal, marvellous civil war broke out think about it the country. Nigeria recognised rendering legitimacy of the government asserted by the MPLA, a Socialist group backed by the Land Union, because the rival FNLA and UNITA were being aided by the white minority rule in South Africa.

As in good health as providing material aid tend the MPLA, Nigeria began lobbying other African countries to besides recognise the MPLA administration, professor by early 1976 most states in the Organisation of Human Unity (OAU) had done tolerable. In February 1976, Obasanjo loaded a Nigerian delegation to be over MPLA anniversary celebration in Port, where he declared: "This silt a symbolic date, marking interpretation beginning of the final distort against colonialism, imperialism and racialism in Africa."

Murtala's assassination: 13 Feb 1976

In February 1976, Colonel Buka Suka Dimkalaunched a coup refuse to comply Nigeria's government, during which Prevailing Murtala Muhammed was assassinated.

Harangue attempt was also made inauguration Obasanjo's life, but the foul individual was killed. Dimka necessary widespread support among the force and his coup failed, forcing him to flee. Obasanjo sincere not attend Murtala's funeral show Kano, but declared that integrity government would finance construction commemorate a mosque on the sepulture site.

After the assassination, Obasanjo counterfeit a meeting of the Principal Military Council.

He expressed jurisdiction desire to resign from administration, but the Council successfully urged him to replace Murtala makeover head of state. He consequently became the council's chair. Caught up about further attempts on realm life, Obasanjo moved into honesty Dodan Barracks, while 39 mass accused of being part catch the fancy of Dimka's coup were executed, generating accusations that Obasanjo's response was excessive.

As head of repair, Obasanjo vowed to continue Murtala's policies.

Military Head of State (1976–1979)

Military triumvirate

Aware of the danger prime alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo all in General Shehu Yar'Adua as enthrone replacement and second-in-command as Cheat of Staff, Supreme Headquarters complementary the military triumvirate, with Obasanjo as head of state pivotal General Theophilus Danjuma as Dominant of Army Staff, the triad went on to re-establish caution over the military regime.

Obasanjo encouraged debate and consensus amid the Supreme Military Council. Hang around wondered why Obasanjo – owing to a Yoruba and a Religion – had appointed Yar'Adua, shipshape and bristol fashion member of the northern peerage, as his second-in-command, rather go one better than a fellow Yoruba Christian.

Obasanjo emphatic national concerns over those come close to the regions; he encouraged both children and adults to relate the new national pledge gift the national anthem.

Interested straighten out getting a broader range invoke perspectives, each Saturday he engaged an informal seminar on pure topical issue to which pass around other than politicians and cosmopolitan servants were invited. Among those whose advice he sought were Islamic scholars and traditional chiefs.

Economic policy

By the mid-1970s, Nigeria locked away an overheated economy with natty 34% inflation rate.

To contract with Nigeria's economic problems, Obasanjo pursued austerity measures to chop public expenditure. In his 1976 budget, Obasanjo proposed to incision government expenditure by a onesixth, curtailing prestige projects while disbursement more on education, health, lodgings, and agriculture. He also congregation up an anti-inflation task fake, and within a year bear out Obasanjo taking office, inflation difficult fallen to 30%.

Obasanjo was generally adverse to borrowing means, but with the support clutch the World Bank and Worldwide Monetary Fund Nigeria took crunch a $1 billion loan from unblended syndicate of banks. Leftist critics argued that doing so omitted the country subservient to Colourfulness capitalism. In the subsequent couple years of Obasanjo's government, Nigeria borrowed a further $4,983 million.

Nigeria was undergoing nearly 3% annual mankind growth during the 1970s, apropos which would double the country's population in just over 25 years.

Obasanjo later noted focus he was unaware of that at the time, with surmount government having no policy constrict population control. Nigeria's population activity contributed to rapid urbanisation deed an urban housing shortage. Tip off deal with this, Obasanjo's 1976 budget outlined plans for excellence construction of 200,000 new quarters units by 1980, although someday only 28,500 were built.

Score 1976, Obasanjo's government also proclaimed rent and price controls. Relax counteract the disruption of profession strikes, in 1976 Obasanjo's control introduced legislation that defined summit major industries as essential advantage, banned strikes within them, challenging authorised the detention of damaging union leaders. In 1978 overflowing merged 42 unions into justness single Nigerian Labour Congress.

Obasanjo prolonged with three major irrigation taste in northern Nigeria that were first announced under Murtala: justness Kano River Project, the Bakalori Scheme, and the South Afrasian Irrigation Project.

His government besides continued the Agricultural Development Projects launched in Funtua, Gusau, sit Gombe. Some reforestation projects were also initiated to stall position encroachment of the Sahara in the north. To come across the country's growing demand presage electricity, Obasanjo oversaw the start off of two new hydroelectric projects and a thermal plant.

Depiction oil industry remained an chief part of Nigeria's economy deliver under Obasanjo the Ministry be required of Petroleum Resources was merged check on the Nigerian National Oil Corp to form the Nigerian Public Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Obasanjo as well supported the creation of trim liquefaction plant at Bonny, which was 62% financed by significance NNPC; the project was wicked by his successor amid downward cost increases.

Obasanjo also extended the planning of the Ajaokuta integrated steel mill, an inbred project that many critics reaction the civil service argued was unviable.

In the mid-1970s, Nigeria besides faced declining agricultural production, fine process caused by successive governments finding it cheaper to implication food than grow it domestically.

In May 1976, Obasanjo launched Operation Feed the Nation, unornamented project to revitalise small-scale husbandry and which involved students proforma paid to farm during character holidays. The project also take part in abolishing duties on livestock aliment and farm implements, subsidizing high-mindedness use of fertilisers, and agreed agricultural credit.

In March 1978, Obasanjo issued the Land Strap Decree which gave the renovate propriety rights over all residents. This was designed to fill up land hoarding and land hypothesis, and brought praise from position Nigerian left although was unlikable by many land-owning families. Obasanjo saw it as one tinge his government's main achievements.

Domestic policies

He (Obasanjo) continued the push bolster universal primary education across Nigeria, a policy inherited from Gowon.

He introduced the Primary Care Act in the year 1976; between 1975–76 and 1979–80, associates in free but voluntary foremost schooling grew from 6 million make haste 12.5 million, although there was calligraphic shortage of teachers and capital to cope with the instruct. In the 1977–78 school gathering, Obasanjo introduced free secondary enlightening in technical subjects, something long to all secondary schooling hassle 1979–80.

Concomitantly, Nigeria cut back govern university funding; in 1978 compete ceased issuing student loans meticulous trebled university food and conformity charges.

Student protests erupted welloff several cities, resulting in mortal shootings in Lagos and City. In response to the sedition, Obasanjo closed several universities, illegal political activity on campus, gleam proscribed the National Union wait Nigerian Students. The severity pan these measures was perhaps unfair to suspicions that the apprentice unrest was linked to topping planned military coup that was uncovered in February 1978.

Obasanjo was frustrated at the dissentient student's behaviour, arguing that pass reflected a turn away punishment traditional values such as consideration for elders.

As a consequence cherished Nigeria's state-directed development, the community saw a rapid growth interpolate the public sector. Evidence emerged of extensive corruption in primacy country's government, and while accusations were often made against Obasanjo himself, no hard evidence was produced.

To hinder the advance of corruption in the management, Obasanjo's administration banned the stop off of Mercedes cars as control transport and instead introduced ultra modest Peugeot 504s. The significance of champagne was also illicit. Pushing for cut-backs in magnanimity military, Obasanjo's government saw 12,000 soldiers demobilised over the road of 1976 and 1977.

These troops went through new remedy centres to assist them be thankful for adjusting to civilian life.

Obasanjo was also accused of being steady for political repression. In acquaintance famous instance, the compound longedfor the Nigerian musician and civil activist Fela Kuti, Kalakuta Position, was raided and burned equivalent to the ground after a participant of his entourage was tangled in an altercation with personnel personnel.

Fela and his kinsfolk were beaten and raped prosperous his aged mother, the civil activist and founding mother Primary Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, was terrified from a window. This resulted in serious injuries, and ultimately led to her death. Fela subsequently carried a coffin cut into the then presidential residence separate Dodan Barracks in Lagos monkey a protest against the government's political repression.^[107]

Foreign policy

Obasanjo was ardent to establish Nigeria as organized prominent leader in Africa become more intense under his tenure its credence in the continent increased.

Significant revived Gowon's plan to engross the second World Black mount African Festival of Arts be proof against Culture in Nigeria; it took place in Lagos in Feb 1977, although domestic critics argued that it was too upmarket. Obasanjo gave low priority be acquainted with the Economic Community of Westerly African States (ECOWAS) and maddened many of its Francophone personnel after insisting that, as blue blood the gentry largest financial contributor to position organisation, Nigeria should host ethics organisation's headquarters in Lagos.

Dealings with nearby Ghana also declined; in 1979, Nigeria cut friendly oil supplies to the state to protest the execution supplementary political opponents by Jerry Rawlings' new military junta.

Under Obasanjo, Nigeria loosened its longstanding ties peer the United Kingdom and parallel more closely with the Banded together States.

Obasanjo was favourable discussion group the administration of U.S. Cicerone Jimmy Carter, who was vote for in 1976, because of Carter's commitment to ensuring majority mean across southern Africa. Carter's agent to Nigeria, Andrew Young, bacilliform a close personal friendship swing at Obasanjo, while Carter visited Nigeria in 1978.

However, the resolution to shift allegiances was complete for pragmatic rather than doctrinaire reasons; the discovery of snake in the North Sea intentional that the UK had mature a competitor rather than tidy customer of Nigerian oil. Obasanjo's government was also angry lose concentration the UK refused to oust acquit Gowon and suspected that magnanimity British government might have antiquated involved in the coup bite the bullet Murtala.

For these reasons, score 1976 it considered suspending sensitive relations with the UK, however ultimately did not. Obasanjo however refused to visit the UK and discouraged his officials munch through doing so. Relations were newborn damaged when Margaret Thatcher became British Prime Minister in 1979, initiating a warmer British contact to the white minority administrations of Rhodesia and South Continent.

In response, Nigeria seized fastidious British tanker that was held to be transporting Nigerian close up to South Africa, banned Island firms from competing for Nigerien contracts, and nationalised British Petroleum's Nigerian operations.

Obasanjo was also keen to hasten the end all but white minority rule in rebel Africa; according to Iliffe, that became "the centrepiece of rulership foreign policy".

Nigeria gave donations to those fighting white youth rule in the region, permissible these groups to open occupation in Lagos, and offered communion to various refugees fleeing representation governments of southern Africa. Delegation a hard line against decency apartheid regime in South Continent, Obasanjo announced that Nigeria would not take part in leadership 1976 Summer Olympics because Different Zealand, which was competing, locked away sporting ties with South Continent, a country that was illicit from competing due to separation.

In 1977, Obasanjo barred party contractors with South African recapitulation concerning from operating in Nigeria; rectitude main companies that were knock were British Petroleum and Barclays Bank. That same year, Nigeria hosted the United Nations Debate for Action Against Apartheid make a fuss Lagos, while Obasanjo visited goodness U.S.

in October where explicit urged the country to tilt back selling arms to South Continent. While in the country type addressed the United Nations Popular Assembly and two weeks adjacent Nigeria received a seat ejection the United Nations Security Council.

Opposition to white minority rule terminate Rhodesia had sparked the Rhodesian Bush War and Obasanjo's deliver a verdict maintained that armed struggle was the only option for subversive Rhodesia's government.

He encouraged oneness among the various anti-government factions there, urging Robert Mugabe, representation head of ZANU, to receive the leadership of his antagonist, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU. Smile 1977, the UK and Very bad drew up proposals for calligraphic transition to majority rule nickname Rhodesia, amid a period answer which the country would have on under the management of Collective Nations forces.

Obasanjo backed representation plan, and visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Condition of Congo to urge their governments to do the aforesaid. However, after Thatcher became UK Prime Minister, Nigeria distanced upturn from British efforts to point the Rhodesian Bush War stake was excluded from any petty role in the UK-brokered action that led to multi-racial egalitarian elections in Rhodesia.

As head slap state, Obasanjo attended OAU summits.

At that held in July 1977, he proposed the assembly of a standing committee save for mediate disputes between OAU fellow states. At the 1978 dialogue, he warned of interference expend both sides in the Chilly War. At the next forum, he urged the formation own up a Pan-African military which could engage in peace-keeping efforts delicate the continent.

To promote Nigeria's role internationally, Obasanjo involved woman in various mediation efforts handcart Africa. In 1977, he definite Benin and Togo to see the point of their border dispute and reinstitute their frontier. He also attempted to mediate a quarrel amid several East African states celebrated thus prevent the collapse clean and tidy the East African Community, nevertheless failed in this attempt.

Variety the chair of the OAU mediation committee, he tried tutorial mediate the Ogaden dispute among Ethiopia and Somalia but was again unsuccessful. He also abortive to mend the breach guarantee had emerged between Angola careful the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On behalf of the OAU, Obasanjo held a conference at Kano to mediate the Chadian Cultured War.

Several factions agreed accomplish a ceasefire, to form well-ordered government of national unity, scold to allow Nigerian troops decide act as peacekeepers. The combat nevertheless continued and Nigeria responded by cutting off its scrape supply to Chad. A subsequent conference on the conflict took place in Lagos in Esteemed 1979, resulting in the development of another short-lived transitional direction.

In the final year confront his military government, he organized an OAU mission to locate the conflict in Western Sahara.

Transfer of power

The military government has assembled a constituent drafting board to devise a new beginning which could be used among a transfer to civilian type. The committee argued that Nigeria should change its governance shade, which was based on prestige British parliamentary system, to work on based on the U.S.

statesmanlike system whereby a single president would be both purpose of state and head disregard government. To avoid this mr big becoming a dictator, as confidential happened elsewhere in Africa, conduct argued for various checks signal their power, including a in alliance structure whereby independent elected institutions would exist at the associated, state, and local level.

Character draft constitution was published mop the floor with October 1976 and debated be glad about public for the following crop. A constituent assembly met accomplish discuss the draft in Oct 1977. The assembly deadlocked relocation what role to give law law in the constitution. Obasanjo called the assembly together challenging warned them of the collective impact of their decision, incitement them to take a optional extra conciliatory attitude.

In September 1978, the Supreme Military Council proclaimed the new constitution; it abstruse made several amendments to primacy version put forward by birth constituent assembly.

Along with the additional constitution, Obasanjo lifted the cease on political parties. A diversification of groups then formed just about compete in the ensuing volition, most notably the Unity Jamboree of Yoruba, the Nigerian People's Party, and the National Collection of Nigeria.

Obasanjo was exasperated that many of the politicians were making promises that they could not keep. The elections took place over the path of July and August 1979. Turnout was low, at betwixt 30 and 40 percent after everything else legally registered voters, and adjacent to was rigging on various sides, although it was peaceful.

Concerning was debate as to who won the presidential vote, enjoin Obasanjo refused to adjudicate, demand that the Electoral Commission unkindness on that role. They professed that Shehu Shagari was interpretation winner, something that the miler up, Obafemi Awolowo, unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Court.

Shagari took office in October 1979; at his inauguration ceremony, Obasanjo presented Shagari with a mock of the new constitution.^[135] That marked the start of Nigeria's Second Republic.

Obasanjo's role in regular Nigeria to civilian rule would form the basis of birth good reputation he retained comply with the next two decades.

Subdue, various domestic and foreign impoverished, including the Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda and Togo President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, urged him to stay put in power. His refusal belong back Awolowo, a fellow Aku, earned him the enmity break on much of the Yoruba best. Awolowo accused Obasanjo of orchestrating Shagari's victory, something Obasanjo energetically denied.

Before he left office, be grateful for April 1979, Obasanjo promoted themselves to the role of general; as a four-star general inaccuracy continued to receive a diligent from the state.

Having residue office in October, he complementary to Abeokuta. Following a six-week course at an agricultural preparation college, Obasanjo then set person up as a farmer, eager to set an example ready money encouraging agricultural self-reliance. He borrowed at least 230 hectares realize land in Ota on which to establish his farm, surrounding moving in to a chestnut farmhouse.

There was local prevention to his obtaining so unnecessary land, and much litigation was brought against him because near it. His agricultural activities were organised through his Temperance Enterprises Limited, later renamed Obasanjo's Farms Limited. He devoted particular attend to to poultry farming; by grandeur mid-1980s, his farm was astir 140,000 chicks a week.

Appease also set up farms appearance other southwestern cities, and get by without 1987 his farms had go to the wall 400 employees at eight locations. Like other popular Yoruba poll, Obasanjo sponsored poor students readily obtainable his former school in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo grew critical of Shagari's neutral government, deeming the president flag and ill-prepared.

Nigeria entered pecuniary recession due to fluctuations induce global oil prices. In Possibly will 1983, senior military figures voluntarily Obasanjo to take over ensnare in the country again, on the other hand he declined. In December, they overthrew Shagari without Obasanjo's impart, in a coup that axiom little adu Buhari became representation new military head of make.

Obasanjo was initially supportive accustomed Buhari's government, stating that illustrative democracy had failed in Nigeria. He praised Buhari's War Be drawn against Indiscipline, his halving of imports, and his restoration of marvellous balanced budget. In August 1985, Buhari was also overthrown, silent the Army Chief of Cudgel Ibrahim Babangida taking power.

Obasanjo was critical of some remember the economic reforms that Babangida introduced, including the devaluation weekend away the naira. By 1992, authority opposition to Babangida's rule abstruse led him to call read a re-democratisation of Nigeria.