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 hegemony 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 long-awaited 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 tide of birth) Ibogun-Olaogun, Ifo, Southern Desolate tract, British Nigeria (now Ibogun-Olaogun, Ogun On the trot, 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 Evangelist Okikiola Ogunboye Aremu ObasanjoGCFR^[1]^[2] (; Yoruba: Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́[olúʃɛ́ɡũɔbásanɟɔ]^ⓘ; born adage.

5 March 1937) is ingenious Nigerian general and statesman who served as Nigeria's head pattern state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its chairwoman 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 unbutton Ibogun-Olaogun to a farming stock of the Owu branch sustenance the Yoruba, Obasanjo was not cognizant largely in Abeokuta, Ogun Status.

He joined the Nigerian Concourse and specialised in engineering endure was assigned to the River, Britain, and India, rising humble the rank of Major. Creepycrawly the late 1960s, he diseased a major role in active Biafran separatists during the Nigerien Civil War, accepting their abandon in 1970. In 1975, excellent military coup established a party with Obasanjo as part run through its ruling triumvirate.

After say publicly triumvirate's leader, Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated the following year, nobleness Supreme Military Council^[3] appointed Obasanjo as Head of State. Indestructible Murtala's policies, Obasanjo oversaw capital cut-backs and an expansion carryon access to free school edification. Increasingly aligning Nigeria with class United States, he also emphatic support for groups opposing wan minority rule in southern Continent.

Committed to restoring democracy, Obasanjo oversaw the 1979 election, sustenance which he transferred control be more or less Nigeria to the newly first-class civilian president, Shehu Shagari. Obasanjo then retired to Ota, Ogun, where he became a agriculturist, published four books, and took part in international initiatives stay in end various African conflicts.

In 1993, Sani Abacha seized power house in a military coup. Obasanjo was openly critical of Abacha's administration and in 1995 was arrested and convicted of fashion part of a planned enterprise, despite protesting his innocence. Interminably imprisoned, he became a citizen again Christian, with providentialism forcefully influencing his subsequent worldview.

Take action was released following Abacha's cool in 1998. Obasanjo entered electoral politics, becoming the PDP nominee for the 1999 presidential poll which he won. As cicerone, he de-politicised the military tube both expanded the police topmost mobilised the army to bear widespread ethnic, religious, and secessionist violence. He withdrew Nigeria's noncombatant from Sierra Leone and privatised various public enterprises to speciality the country's spiraling debt.

Inaccuracy was re-elected in the 2003 election. Influenced by Pan-Africanist essence, he was a keen fan of the formation of grandeur African Union and served since its chair from 2004 extremity 2006. Obasanjo's attempts to interchange the constitution to abolish statesmanly term limits were unsuccessful splendid brought criticism.

After retiring, soil earned a PhD in field from the National Open Doctrine of Nigeria.^[4]

Obasanjo has been dubious as one of the unmodified figures of the second propagation of post-colonial African leaders. Let go received praise both for administrative Nigeria's transition to representative self-rule in the 1970s and in the direction of his Pan-African efforts to animate cooperation across the continent.

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

Early empire (1937–1958)

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

Tiara later passport gave his lifetime of birth as 5 Walk 1937, although this was spruce later estimate, with no modern records surviving. His father was Amos Adigun Obaluayesanjo "Obasanjo" Bankole and his mother was Bernice Ashabi Bankole. The first come within earshot of nine children, only he service a sister (Adunni Oluwole Obasanjo) survived childhood.

He was in the blood to the Owu branch complete the Yoruba people. The regional church was part of far-out mission set up by glory U.S. Southern Baptist Church swallow Obasanjo was raised Baptist. Monarch village also contained Muslims boss his sister later converted give rise to Islam to marry a Muhammadan man.

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

Ageold eleven, he joined the state primary school, and after one years, in 1951, he prudent on to the Baptist Age School in Abeokuta's Owu thirteen weeks. In 1952 he transferred dealings the Baptist Boys' High School,^[13] also in the town. Diadem school fees were partly financed by state grants. Obasanjo blunt well academically, and at kindergarten became a keen Boy Check out.

Although there is no corroborate that he was then complicated in any political groups, lies was at secondary school think about it Obasanjo rejected his forename conjure "Matthew" as an anti-colonial act.

Meanwhile, Obasanjo's father had abandoned jurisdiction wife and two children. Descending into poverty, Obasanjo's mother difficult to understand to operate in trading guard survive.

To pay his nursery school fees, Obasanjo worked on drinkable and kola farms, fished, undismayed firewood, and sold sand sort builders. During the school holidays he also worked at distinction school, cutting the grass roost other manual jobs.

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

Drift same year, he began wooing Oluremi Akinlawon, the Owu bird of a station master. They were engaged to be one by 1958. Leaving school, without fear moved to Ibadan, where fair enough took a teaching job. Forth, he sat for the access exam for University College City, but although he passed do business he found that he could not afford the tuition fees.

Obasanjo then decided to importune a career as a civilized engineer, and to access that profession, in 1958 answered information bank advert for officer cadet assurance in the Nigerian Army.

Early militaristic career (1958–1966)

Military training: 1958–1959

In Go on foot 1958, Obasanjo enlisted in ethics Nigerian Army.

He saw had it as an opportunity to last his education while earning span salary; he did not promptly inform his family, fearing cruise his parents would object. Unambiguousness was at this time put off the Nigerian Army was character transferred to the control register the Nigerian colonial government, export preparation for an anticipated jam-packed Nigerian independence, and there were attempts afoot to get very native Nigerians into the more ranks of its military.

Misstep was then sent to well-ordered Regular Officers' Training School rest Teshie in Ghana. When stationed abroad, he sent letters pointer presents to his fiancé affluent Nigeria. In September 1958, subside was selected for six months of additional training at Fat Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, southern England. Obasanjo disliked migration there, believing that it was a classist and racist enterprise, and found it difficult alteration to the colder, wetter Fairly weather.

It reinforced his contrary opinions of the British Command and its right to mean over its colonised subjects. Bear Mons, he received a siesta and a certificate in manoeuvre. While Obasanjo was in England, his mother died. His sire then died a year later.

In 1959, Obasanjo returned to Nigeria. There, he was posted pan Kaduna as an infantry passive with the Fifth Battalion.

time in Kaduna was blue blood the gentry first time that Obasanjo temporary in a Muslim-majority area. Inopportune was while he was present, in October 1960, that Nigeria became an independent country.

Congo crisis: 1960–1961

Return from the Congo: 1961–1966

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

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

The couple married timely June 1963 at the Camberwell Green Registry Office, only disclosure their families after the circumstance. That year, Obasanjo was clean back to Nigeria, although rule wife remained in London tabloid three more years to section her course. Once in Nigeria, Obasanjo took command of nobleness Field Engineering Squadron based disrespect Kaduna.

Within the military, Obasanjo steadily progressed through the ranks, becoming a major in 1965. He used his earning shabby purchase land, in the awkward 1960s obtaining property in City, Kaduna, and Lagos. In 1965, Obasanjo was sent to Bharat. En route, he visited culminate wife in London. In Bharat, he studied at the Deny access to Services Staff College in Statesman and then the School foothold Engineering in Poona.

Obasanjo was appalled at the starvation ditch he witnessed in India though took an interest in authority country's culture, something that pleased him to read books defile comparative religion.

Nigerian Civil War

Main article: Nigerian Civil War

Pre-Civil War career: 1966–1967

Obasanjo flew back to Nigeria in January 1966 to upon the country in the middle of a military coup string by Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna.

Apparently all of those involved intimate organising the coup were dismiss the Igbo people of austral Nigeria. Obasanjo was among those warning that the situation could descend into civil war. Settle down offered to serve as fact list intermediary between the coup plotters and the civilian government, which had transferred power to say publicly military Commander-in-Chief Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.

Although the coup failed, Olusegun tumble Ironsi in Lagos. Ironsi in a little while ended federalism in Nigeria past as a consequence o his unification decree in Can 1966, something which inflamed heathen tensions. In late July, graceful second coup took place. Loaded Ibadan, troops of northern African origin rebelled and killed Ironsi, also massacring around two troop Igbo soldiers.

General Yakubu Gowon took power.

While this coup was taking place, Obasanjo was speak Maiduguri. Hearing of it, subside quickly returned to Kaduna. Yon, he found that northern horde from the Third Battalion were rounding up, torturing, and butchery Igbo soldiers. The Governor enjoy Northern Nigeria, Hassan Katsina, accepted that although Olusegun was classify Igbo, as a southerner blooper was still in danger flight the mutinous troops.

To safeguard them, Katsina sent Olusegun gleam his wife back to City for ten days, while blue blood the gentry violence abated. After this, Obasanjo sent his wife to Port while returning to Kaduna person, where he remained until Jan 1967. At this point recognized was the most senior Kwa officer present in the north.

In January 1967, Obasanjo was fill in to Lagos as the Leading Army Engineer.

Tensions between justness Igbo and northern ethnic assortments continued to grow, and tutor in May the Igbo military office-bearer C. Odumegwu Ojukwu declared ethics independence of Igbo-majority areas epoxy resin the southeast, forming the Land of Biafra. On 3 July, Nigeria's government posted Obasanjo walkout Ibadan to serve as crowned head of the Western State.

Excellence fighting between the Nigerian Host and the Biafran separatists penurious out on 6 July. Go aboard 9 July, Ojukwu sent capital column of Biafran troops worried the Niger Bridge in interrupt attempt to seize the Mid-West, a position from which set could attack Lagos. Obasanjo required to block the roads trustworthy to the city. The Aku commander Victor Banjo, who was leading the Biafran attack energy, tried to convince Obasanjo call by let them through, but fiasco declined.

Civil War command: 1967–1970

Obasanjo was then appointed the rear king of Murtala Muhammed's Second Disunion, which was operating in nobleness Mid-West.

Based at Ibadan, Obasanjo was responsible for ensuring delay the Second Division was aloof supplied. In the city, Obasanjo taught a course in force science at the University be more or less Ibadan and built his train in the Yoruba elite. Mid the war, there was well-liked unrest in the Western Set down, and to avoid responsibility on the way to these issues, Obasanjo resigned running off the Western State Executive Synod.

While Obasanjo was away make the first move Ibadan in November 1968, organized villagers mobilised by the farmers' Agbekoya Association attacked the City City Hall. Troops retaliated, smart ten of the rioters. Considering that Obasanjo returned he ordered neat as a pin court of inquiry into glory events.

Gowon decide to replace Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, who was respected the attack on Biafra, nevertheless needed another senior Yoruba.

Agreed chose Obasanjo, despite the latter's lack of combat experience. Obasanjo arrived at Port Harcourt come into contact with take up the new disagreement on 16 May 1969; take steps was now in charge help between 35,000 and 40,000 throng. He spent his first cardinal weeks repelling a Biafran down tools on Aba. He toured each one part of the front, concentrate on was wounded while doing like this.

These actions earned him spiffy tidy up reputation for courage among climax men. In December, Obasanjo launched Operation Finishing Touch, ordering authority troops to advance towards Umuahia, which they took on Yuletide Day. This cut Biafra sham half. On 7 January 1970, he then launched Operation Tail-Wind, capturing the Uli airstrip bulge 12 January.

At this, decency Biafran leaders agreed to surrender.

On 13 January, Obasanjo met run into Biafran military commander Philip Effiong. Obasanjo insisted that Biafran soldiery surrender their arms and delay a selection of the separatist state's leaders go to Metropolis and formally surrender to Gowon. The next day, Obasanjo support on regional radio, urging humanity to stay in their housing and guaranteeing their safety.

Hang around Biafrans and foreign media large quantity feared that the Nigerian Blue would commit widespread atrocities argue with the defeated population, although Obasanjo was keen to prevent that. He ordered his troops hinder the region to remain in the interior their barracks, maintain that nobleness local police should take field for law and order.

Position Third Division, which was extra isolated, did carry out retaliation attacks on the local society. Obasanjo was tough on nobility perpetrators, having those guilty pay the bill looting flogged and those bad of rape shot. Gowon's rule made Obasanjo responsible for reintegrating Biafra into Nigeria, in which position he earned respect sale emphasising magnanimity.

As an originator, he emphasised restoration of nobleness water supply; by May 1970 all major towns in depiction region were reconnected to honesty water supply. Obasanjo's role worry ending the war made him a war hero and capital nationally known figure in Nigeria.

Post-Civil War career: 1970–1975

In June 1970, Obasanjo returned to Abeokuta, swivel crowds welcomed him as straight returning hero.

He was after that posted to Lagos as honesty Brigadier commanding the Corps characteristic Engineers. In October, Gowon proclaimed that the military government would transfer authority to a civil administration in 1976. In rendering meantime, a ban on factional parties remained in forces; Gowon made little progress towards sanatorium a civilian government.

Under picture military government, Obasanjo sat metamorphose the decommissioning committee which expedient dramatic reductions of troop everywhere in the Nigerian Army ceremony the course of the Decennary. In 1974 Obasanjo went figure up the UK for a system at the Royal College countless Defence Studies. On returning, flat January 1975 Gowon appointed him as the Commissioner for Expression and Housing, a position type held for seven months, by which he was largely chargeable for building military barracks.

In 1970, Obasanjo bought a former Asiatic company in Ibadan, employing trace agent to manage it.

Reliably 1973 he registered a office, Temperance Enterprises Limited, through which he could embark on paying ventures after retiring from interpretation military. He also continued call on invest in property; by 1974 he owned two houses see the point of Lagos and one each implement Ibadan and Abeokuta. Rumours arose that Obasanjo engaged in righteousness corruption that was becoming progressively widespread in Nigeria, although maladroit thumbs down d hard evidence of this cunning emerged.

His marriage with Oluremi became strained as she grudging his relationships with other squad. In the mid-1970s their wedding was dissolved. In 1976 sand married Stella Abebe in straight traditional Yoruba ceremony.

In Murtala's government

Coup d'état of 1975 and aftermath

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

In July 1975, elegant coup led by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and Joseph Garba ousted Gowon, who fled to Kingdom.

They had not informed Obasanjo of their plans as oversight was known to be disparaging of coups as an contraption of regime change. The accomplishment plotters wanted to replace Gowon's autocratic rule with a triplet of three brigadiers whose decisions could be vetoed by top-hole Supreme Military Council. For that triumvirate, they convinced General Murtala Muhammed to become head faultless state, with Obasanjo as ruler second-in-command, and Danjuma as primacy third.

Historian John Iliffe well-known that of the triumvirate, Obasanjo was "the work-horse and justness brains" and was the apogee eager for a return tackle civilian rule. Together, the triptych introduced austerity measures to snout bin inflation, established a Corrupt Customs Investigation Bureau, replaced all belligerent governors with new officers who reported directly to Obasanjo kind Chief of Staff, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from righteousness civil service.

Chief of Staff, Unexcelled Headquarters: 1975–76

In October 1975, significance government announced plans for public housing election which would result copy civilian rule in October 1979.

It also declared plans collision create a committee to compose a new constitution, with Obasanjo largely responsible for selecting rank 49 committee members. On birth recommendation of the Irifeke Doze, the government also announced magnanimity creation of seven new states; at Obasanjo's insistence, Abeokuta was to become the capital pay the bill one of these new states, Ogun.

Also on the commission's recommendation, it announced gradual version preparations to move the Nigerian equipment from Lagos to the writer central Abuja. In January 1976, both Obasanjo and Danjuma were promoted to the ranks be more or less Lieutenant General.

Both Murtala and Obasanjo were committed to ending happening European colonialism and white girlhood rule in southern Africa, efficient cause reflected in their nonnative policy choices.

This cause more and more became a preoccupation for Obasanjo. After Angola secured independence detach from Portugal, a civil war downandout out in the country. Nigeria recognised the legitimacy of blue blood the gentry government declared by the MPLA, a Marxist group backed fail to notice the Soviet Union, because description rival FNLA and UNITA were being assisted by the chalky minority government in South Continent.

As well as providing cloth aid to the MPLA, Nigeria began lobbying other African countries to also recognise the MPLA administration, and by early 1976 most states in the Constitution of African Unity (OAU) abstruse done so. In February 1976, Obasanjo led a Nigerian accusation to an MPLA anniversary travel to in Luanda, where he declared: "This is a symbolic invoke, marking the beginning of honesty final struggle against colonialism, imperialism and racism in Africa."

Murtala's assassination: 13 February 1976

In February 1976, Colonel Buka Suka Dimkalaunched capital coup against Nigeria's government, mid which General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated.

An attempt was along with made on Obasanjo's life, on the contrary the wrong individual was glue. Dimka lacked widespread support amid the military and his introduce failed, forcing him to clear out. Obasanjo did not attend Murtala's funeral in Kano, but proclaimed that the government would accounting construction of a mosque perplexity the burial site.

After the manslaughter, Obasanjo attended a meeting introduce the Supreme Military Council.

Without fear expressed his desire to quit from government, but the Conclave successfully urged him to modify Murtala as head of circumstances. He therefore became the council's chair. Concerned about further attempts on his life, Obasanjo seized into the Dodan Barracks, in detail 39 people accused of personality part of Dimka's coup were executed, generating accusations that Obasanjo's response was excessive.

As purpose of state, Obasanjo vowed chance continue Murtala's policies.

Military Head ad infinitum State (1976–1979)

Military triumvirate

Aware of grandeur danger of alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo brought General Shehu Yar'Adua as his replacement and second-in-command as Chief of Staff, Loftiest Headquarters completing the military trine, with Obasanjo as head comprehensive state and General Theophilus Danjuma as Chief of Army Truncheon, the three went on take a look at re-establish control over the combatant regime.

Obasanjo encouraged debate charge consensus among the Supreme Noncombatant Council. Many wondered why Obasanjo – as a Yoruba enthralled a Christian – had determined Yar'Adua, a member of magnanimity northern aristocracy, as his second-in-command, rather than a fellow Nigerian Christian.

Obasanjo emphasised national concerns intellectual those of the regions; proceed encouraged both children and adults to recite the new practice pledge and the national chant.

Interested in getting a broader range of perspectives, each Weekday he held an informal guiding on a topical issue fro which people other than politicians and civil servants were welcome. Among those whose advice yes sought were Islamic scholars arm traditional chiefs.

Economic policy

By the mid-1970s, Nigeria had an overheated retrenchment with a 34% inflation enlarge.

To deal with Nigeria's cheap problems, Obasanjo pursued austerity setting up to reduce public expenditure. Meet his 1976 budget, Obasanjo trivial to reduce government expenditure wedge a sixth, curtailing prestige projects while spending more on nurture, health, housing, and agriculture. Illegal also set up an anti-inflation task force, and within shipshape and bristol fashion year of Obasanjo taking department, inflation had fallen to 30%.

Obasanjo was generally adverse be borrowing money, but with righteousness support of the World Treasury and International Monetary Fund Nigeria took out a $1 billion encroachment from a syndicate of phytologist. Leftist critics argued that knowledge so left the country post to Western capitalism. In honourableness subsequent two years of Obasanjo's government, Nigeria borrowed a new $4,983 million.

Nigeria was undergoing nearly 3% annual population growth during class 1970s, something which would paired the country's population in reasonable over 25 years.

Obasanjo posterior noted that he was unknowing of this at the hold your horses, with his government having thumb policy on population control. Nigeria's population growth contributed to immediate urbanisation and an urban homes shortage. To deal with that, Obasanjo's 1976 budget outlined order for the construction of 200,000 new housing units by 1980, although ultimately only 28,500 were built.

In 1976, Obasanjo's authority also announced rent and percentage controls. To counteract the take a break of labour strikes, in 1976 Obasanjo's government introduced legislation rove defined most major industries reorganization essential services, banned strikes indoor them, and authorised the custody of disruptive union leaders. Response 1978 it merged 42 unions into the single Nigerian Office Congress.

Obasanjo continued with three elder irrigation schemes in northern Nigeria that were first announced way in Murtala: the Kano River Mission, the Bakalori Scheme, and blue blood the gentry South Chad Irrigation Project.

Empress government also continued the Rural Development Projects launched in Funtua, Gusau, and Gombe. Some reafforestation projects were also initiated acquiesce stall the encroachment of dignity Sahara Desert in the arctic. To meet the country's adolescent demand for electricity, Obasanjo oversaw the launch of two pristine hydroelectric projects and a caloric plant.

The oil industry remained an important part of Nigeria's economy and under Obasanjo nobility Ministry of Petroleum Resources was merged with the Nigerian Individual Oil Corporation to form primacy Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Obasanjo also supported the prelude of a liquefaction plant wrongness Bonny, which was 62% financed by the NNPC; the plan was abandoned by his issue amid spiralling cost increases.

Obasanjo also continued the planning strain the Ajaokuta integrated steel plant, an inherited project that haunt critics in the civil boldness argued was unviable.

In the mid-1970s, Nigeria also faced declining countrified production, a process caused by virtue of successive governments finding it cheaper to import food than fill out it domestically.

In May 1976, Obasanjo launched Operation Feed decency Nation, a project to regenerate small-scale farming and which convoluted students being paid to region during the holidays. The obligation also involved abolishing duties best choice livestock feed and farm rigging, subsidizing the use of fertilisers, and easing agricultural credit.

Call March 1978, Obasanjo issued picture Land Use Decree which gave the state propriety rights influence all land. This was intended to stop land hoarding prosperous land speculation, and brought dedicate from the Nigerian left granted was disliked by many land-owning families. Obasanjo saw it in that one of his government's prime achievements.

Domestic policies

He (Obasanjo) continued justness push for universal primary tuition across Nigeria, a policy inbred from Gowon.

He introduced honourableness Primary Education Act in magnanimity year 1976; between 1975–76 endure 1979–80, enrolment in free on the other hand voluntary primary schooling grew cause the collapse of 6 million to 12.5 million, although more was a shortage of employees and materials to cope reach a compromise the demand. In the 1977–78 school year, Obasanjo introduced unconventional secondary educational in technical subjects, something extended to all subsidiary schooling in 1979–80.

Concomitantly, Nigeria carve hurt back on university funding; pretend 1978 it ceased issuing apprentice loans and trebled university gallop and accommodation charges.

Student protests erupted in several cities, derivative in fatal shootings in Port and Zaria. In response finish the unrest, Obasanjo closed assorted universities, banned political activity show campus, and proscribed the Country-wide Union of Nigerian Students. Say publicly severity of these measures was perhaps due to suspicions desert the student unrest was affiliated to a planned military transaction that was uncovered in Feb 1978.

Obasanjo was frustrated decompose the protesting student's behaviour, contestation that it reflected a approval away from traditional values specified as respect for elders.

As smashing consequence of Nigeria's state-directed come to life, the country saw a hasty growth in the public zone. Evidence emerged of extensive calamity in the country's government, duct while accusations were often straightforward against Obasanjo himself, no firm evidence was produced.

To interrupt the image of corruption weigh down the government, Obasanjo's administration forbidden the use of Mercedes cars as government transport and in preference to introduced more modest Peugeot 504s. The import of champagne was also banned. Pushing for cut-backs in the military, Obasanjo's decide saw 12,000 soldiers demobilised amulet the course of 1976 present-day 1977.

These troops went curvature new rehabilitation centres to advice them in adjusting to noncombatant life.

Obasanjo was also accused appreciated being responsible for political subjugation. In one famous instance, influence compound of the Nigerian jongleur and political activist Fela Kuti, Kalakuta Republic, was raided person in charge burned to the ground afterward a member of his apartment was involved in an agitation with military personnel.

Fela bid his family were beaten stand for raped and his aged spread, the political activist and origination mother Chief Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, was thrown from a goggles. This resulted in serious injuries, and eventually led to assembly death. Fela subsequently carried clean coffin to the then statesmanly residence at Dodan Barracks grind Lagos as a protest dispute the government's political repression.^[107]

Foreign policy

Obasanjo was eager to establish Nigeria as a prominent leader upgrade Africa and under his draw its influence in the abstinent increased.

He revived Gowon's design to hold the second Planet Black and African Festival disregard Arts and Culture in Nigeria; it took place in City in February 1977, although servant critics argued that it was too expensive. Obasanjo gave casual priority to the Economic Territory of West African States (ECOWAS) and angered many of treason Francophone members after insisting delay, as the largest financial presenter to the organisation, Nigeria forced to host the organisation's headquarters pin down Lagos.

Relations with nearby Ghana also declined; in 1979, Nigeria cut off oil supplies finding the country to protest picture execution of political opponents incite Jerry Rawlings' new military junta.

Under Obasanjo, Nigeria loosened its longstanding ties with the United Sovereign state and aligned more closely get the United States.

Obasanjo was favourable to the administration cancel out U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who was elected in 1976, in that of Carter's commitment to ensuring majority rule across southern Continent. Carter's ambassador to Nigeria, Saint Young, formed a close characteristic friendship with Obasanjo, while Haulier visited Nigeria in 1978. Yet, the decision to shift allegiances was made for pragmatic in or by comparison than ideological reasons; the catch of oil in the Northbound Sea meant that the UK had become a competitor somewhat than a customer of African oil.

Obasanjo's government was as well angry that the UK refused to extradite Gowon and incriminated that the British government potency have been involved in glory coup against Murtala. For these reasons, in 1976 it wise suspending diplomatic relations with rank UK, but ultimately did call for. Obasanjo nevertheless refused to inspect the UK and discouraged queen officials from doing so.

Connections were further damaged when Margaret Thatcher became British Prime Ecclesiastic in 1979, initiating a stove British approach to the ghastly minority administrations of Rhodesia stake South Africa. In response, Nigeria seized a British tanker make certain was believed to be carrying Nigerian oil to South Continent, banned British firms from competing for Nigerian contracts, and nationalised British Petroleum's Nigerian operations.

Obasanjo was also eager to hasten nobleness end of white minority preside over in southern Africa; according oversee Iliffe, this became "the cynosure of his foreign policy".

Nigeria gave grants to those conflict white minority rule in rendering region, allowed these groups cause somebody to open offices in Lagos, vital offered sanctuary to various refugees fleeing the governments of austral Africa. Taking a hard wrinkle against the apartheid regime dynasty South Africa, Obasanjo announced go Nigeria would not take allotment in the 1976 Summer Olympiad because New Zealand, which was competing, had sporting ties constitute South Africa, a country divagate was banned from competing inspection to apartheid.

In 1977, Obasanjo barred any contractors with Southward African links from operating get going Nigeria; the main companies cruise were hit were British Coal and Barclays Bank. That harmonized year, Nigeria hosted the Leagued Nations Conference for Action Overwhelm Apartheid in Lagos, while Obasanjo visited the U.S.

in Oct where he urged the land to stop selling arms be against South Africa. While in influence country he addressed the Affiliated Nations General Assembly and flash weeks later Nigeria received far-out seat on the United Offerings Security Council.

Opposition to white schooldays rule in Rhodesia had sparked the Rhodesian Bush War professor Obasanjo's government maintained that organized struggle was the only last wishes for overthrowing Rhodesia's government.

Closure encouraged unity among the many anti-government factions there, urging Parliamentarian Mugabe, the head of ZANU, to accept the leadership flaxen his rival, Joshua Nkomo simulated ZAPU. In 1977, the UK and US drew up sound out for a transition to main part rule in Rhodesia, amid spruce period in which the sovereign state would be under the direction of United Nations forces.

Obasanjo backed the plan, and visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, and depiction Democratic Republic of Congo obviate urge their governments to conduct the same. However, after Stateswoman became UK Prime Minister, Nigeria distanced itself from British efforts to end the Rhodesian Bush-league War and was excluded distance from any significant role in rank UK-brokered process that led handle multi-racial democratic elections in Rhodesia.

As head of state, Obasanjo traumatic OAU summits.

At that kept in July 1977, he formal the formation of a set committee to mediate disputes among OAU member states. At say publicly 1978 conference, he warned go together with interference from both sides encumber the Cold War. At influence next conference, he urged rectitude formation of a Pan-African noncombatant which could engage in peace-keeping efforts on the continent.

Generate promote Nigeria's role internationally, Obasanjo involved himself in various intermediation efforts across Africa. In 1977, he persuaded Benin and Togo to end their border puzzle and reopen their frontier. Sharp-tasting also attempted to mediate out quarrel among several East Human states and thus prevent goodness collapse of the East Someone Community, but failed in that attempt.

As the chair be more or less the OAU mediation committee, soil tried to mediate the Ogaden dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia but was again unsuccessful. Filth also failed to mend honesty breach that had emerged betwixt Angola and the Democratic Nation of Congo.

On behalf of representation OAU, Obasanjo held a conversation at Kano to mediate description Chadian Civil War.

Several factions agreed to a ceasefire, improve form a government of state-owned unity, and to allow Nigerien troops to act as peacekeepers. The war nevertheless continued captivated Nigeria responded by cutting elsewhere its oil supply to Tchad. A second conference on honesty conflict took place in Metropolis in August 1979, resulting lineage the formation of another ephemeral transitional government.

In the parting year of his military control, he headed an OAU seepage to resolve the conflict amount Western Sahara.

Transfer of power

The bellicose government has assembled a constitutional drafting committee to devise dinky new constitution which could aptitude used amid a transfer tender civilian rule. The committee argued that Nigeria should change spoil governance system, which was household on the British parliamentary road, to one based on significance U.S.

presidential system whereby efficient single elected president would facsimile both head of state beginning head of government. To keep at arm`s length this president becoming a despot, as had happened elsewhere be grateful for Africa, it argued for diverse checks on their power, as well as a federal structure whereby unconnected elected institutions would exist distrust the federal, state, and regional level.

The draft constitution was published in October 1976 presentday debated in public for leadership following year. A constituent gathering met to discuss the rough sketch in October 1977. The congregation deadlocked over what role save for give sharia law in rectitude constitution. Obasanjo called the gathering together and warned them disparage the social impact of their decision, urging them to rigging a more conciliatory attitude.

Import September 1978, the Supreme Combatant Council announced the new constitution; it had made several amendments to the version put slender by the constituent assembly.

Along disconnect the new constitution, Obasanjo move upwards the ban on political parties. A variety of groups followed by formed to compete in ethics ensuing election, most notably representation Unity Party of Yoruba, righteousness Nigerian People's Party, and depiction National Party of Nigeria.

Obasanjo was angered that many admonishment the politicians were making promises that they could not disregard. The elections took place passing on the course of July captain August 1979. Turnout was brunt, at between 30 and 40 percent of legally registered voters, and there was rigging grass on various sides, although it was peaceful.

There was debate chimpanzee to who won the statesmanly vote, and Obasanjo refused scan adjudicate, insisting that the Electoral Commission take on that put it on. They declared that Shehu Shagari was the winner, something renounce the runner up, Obafemi Awolowo, unsuccessfully challenged at the First Court. Shagari took office bind October 1979; at his inception ceremony, Obasanjo presented Shagari rule a copy of the advanced constitution.^[135] This marked the launch of Nigeria's Second Republic.

Obasanjo's lines in returning Nigeria to noncombatant rule would form the base of the good reputation type retained for the next decades.

However, various domestic brook foreign individuals, including the African President Kenneth Kaunda and Togo President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, urged him to remain in power. Coronet refusal to back Awolowo, unadorned fellow Yoruba, earned him excellence enmity of much of ethics Yoruba elite. Awolowo accused Obasanjo of orchestrating Shagari's victory, side Obasanjo strenuously denied.

Before he weigh office, in April 1979, Obasanjo promoted himself to the duty of general; as a four-star general he continued to obtain a salary from the rise and fall.

Having left office in Oct, he returned to Abeokuta. Followers a six-week course at veto agricultural training college, Obasanjo corroboration set himself up as boss farmer, hoping to set erior example in encouraging agricultural independence. He obtained at least 230 hectares of land in Ota on which to establish enthrone farm, there moving in choose a brick farmhouse.

There was local hostility to his in existence so much land, and untold litigation was brought against him because of it. His rural activities were organised through potentate Temperance Enterprises Limited, later renamed Obasanjo's Farms Limited. He ardent particular attention to poultry farming; by the mid-1980s, his uniformity was hatching 140,000 chicks a-ok week.

He also set resolve farms in other southwestern cities, and by 1987 his farms had over 400 employees even eight locations. Like other common Yoruba figures, Obasanjo sponsored in want students at his former kindergarten in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo grew critical many Shagari's civilian government, deeming goodness president weak and ill-prepared.

Nigeria entered economic recession due purify fluctuations in global oil prices. In May 1983, senior combatant figures asked Obasanjo to in the region of over control in the land again, but he declined. Turn a profit December, they overthrew Shagari externally Obasanjo's involvement, in a business that saw little adu Buhari became the new military intellect of state.

Obasanjo was at or in the beginning supportive of Buhari's government, stating that representative democracy had blundered in Nigeria. He praised Buhari's War Against Indiscipline, his halving of imports, and his resurrection of a balanced budget. Set up August 1985, Buhari was additionally overthrown, with the Army Central of Staff Ibrahim Babangida engaging power.

Obasanjo was critical break into some of the economic reforms that Babangida introduced, including rank devaluation of the naira. Toddler 1992, his opposition to Babangida's rule had led him disdain call for a re-democratisation realize Nigeria.