Military Era & Coups in Nigeria
Military regimes, coups, economic policies, and the transition to democratic governance in Nigeria from 1966 to 1999.
Why Some Military Coups Succeeded While Others Failed in Nigeria
Nigeria’s post-independence history was marked by a series of military coups that reshaped its political landscape. Between 1966 and 1990, the country witnessed coups...
The Night a Radical Coup Shook Nigeria’s Military Order
In the early hours of April 22, 1990, Nigeria was jolted awake by gunfire, uncertainty, and a radio announcement that questioned the very structure...
Olu Onagoruwa at the Oputa Panel, Abacha’s condolence letter, The murder allegation that still echoes
Nigeria’s history is marked by moments when private grief collided with public power. Few of those moments remain as unresolved and unsettling as the...
Chaos at Midnight: How the 1983 Coup Ended Nigeria’s Second Republic
The 31 December 1983 military coup marked a turning point in Nigeria’s post-independence history. Barely four years after the establishment of the Second Republic,...
When the Soldiers Removed Their Own: The 1985 Overthrow of Buhari
Nigeria’s long history of military rule is often remembered for coups that toppled civilian governments. Yet one of its most revealing episodes unfolded entirely...
From Barracks to Aso Rock: How Ex-Generals Shaped Nigeria’s Democracy
Nigeria’s transition from military rule to civilian governance in 1999 marked a historic shift for Africa’s most populous nation. Yet the shadow of military...
From Coups to Culture: How Military Rule Shaped Nigeria’s Political Landscape
Nigeria’s political history is often remembered for its long periods of military rule, spanning much of the post-independence era. Between 1966 and 1979 and...
The Shadow of the Barracks: Lessons Nigeria Still Faces from Military Rule
Nigeria’s modern political history was profoundly shaped by extended periods of military governance between 1966 and 1999. During this time, the armed forces repeatedly...
Beyond the Barracks: Can Nigeria Truly Leave Its Coup Legacy Behind?
Nigeria’s modern political history cannot be understood without confronting its long experience with military intervention. From the first coup in 1966 to the handover...
From Barracks to Ballots: How Ex-Generals Reshaped Nigeria’s Democracy
When Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, the country appeared to close a long chapter of military domination. Constitutions replaced decrees. Elections replaced...