Nigeria’s military coup history is a tale of political instability and military interventions that have shaped the nation’s trajectory since its independence. Beginning with the first coup in 1966, a series of military takeovers has had a profound impact on Nigeria’s political landscape. Following the end of British colonial rule, Nigeria inherited a fragmented political structure that failed to unite its diverse ethnic, regional, and religious groups. This division led to the formation of ethnically and regionally aligned political parties, often resulting in violent competition for power. These tensions culminated in Nigeria’s military coup, marking the beginning of a cycle that would continue to affect the nation’s governance for decades.
January 1966 coup
Photo Source: BBC.
The first coup unfolded on January 15, 1966, when a group of young officers led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu overthrew the civilian government, bringing an abrupt end to the First Nigerian Republic. In their uprising, the young officers assassinated several key northern leaders, including Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, Northern Premier Ahmadu Bello, Western Premier Ladoke Akintola, Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh, and four senior-ranking northern military officers. The coup leaders justified their actions by pledging to eradicate corruption, curb violence, and eventually restore democratic elections.
In the aftermath, Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, an Igbo officer uninvolved in the conspiracy, took control to restore military discipline. Assuming leadership as head of state, Ironsi suspended the constitution, dissolved all legislative bodies, banned political parties, and established an interim federal military government. However, he did not set a timeline for the return to civilian rule, marking the beginning of a complex period of military governance in Nigeria.
July 1966 Counter-Coup
On July 29, 1966, a counter-coup took place, toppling Major General Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi’s regime by August 1, and bringing Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon to power as head of state. Ironsi and the governor of the Western Region, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, were killed during the coup. Among the participating officers was Muhammadu Buhari, who would later lead his own coup in 1983. The coup and counter-coup intensified ethnic tensions, which, along with subsequent violence, laid the groundwork for the Nigerian Civil War.
After the war’s conclusion in October 1970, Gowon committed to ending military rule by October 1, 1976. However, in 1974, he postponed the transition, citing concerns that Nigerians had yet to show “moderation and self-control in pursuing sectional ends,” thus delaying the move toward democratic governance.
1975 coup
On July 29, 1975, Colonel Joseph Nanven Garba announced on Radio Nigeria that he and fellow officers had decided to depose General Yakubu Gowon as Nigeria’s head of state and commander-in-chief. This bloodless coup took place while Gowon was attending an Organisation of African Unity summit in Kampala. Brigadier Murtala Muhammed assumed leadership, with Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo as his deputy. Reports, including from The New York Times, suggested that General Hassan Katsina, a former Chief of Army Staff who had been demoted by Gowon, played a key role in orchestrating the coup.
On October 1, Murtala Muhammed, echoing Gowon’s earlier promises, committed to a return to civilian rule. He announced plans for a new constitution, institutional reforms, and elections, with a transfer of power scheduled for October 1, 1979, signaling a renewed push toward democratization in Nigeria.
1976 coup attempt
On February 13, 1976, Nigerian Head of State Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in a failed coup attempt led by Lieutenant Colonel Bukar Suka Dimka, who sought to restore Gowon’s regime. The coup, lacking support, was swiftly suppressed with Olusegun Obasanjo assuming leadership. Following the attempt, 125 people were arrested, and in March, 32 individuals, including Dimka and Defense Minister Major General Illiya D. Bisalla, were sentenced to death.
1983 coup
On December 31, 1983, a military coup led by senior officers ousted Nigeria’s Second Republic, deposing President Shehu Shagari’s government, which Brigadier Sani Abacha criticized as “inept and corrupt.” Major General Muhammadu Buhari was installed as head of state, citing the country’s economic decline and governmental failures as justification. Buhari’s regime launched the “War Against Indiscipline” (WAI), targeting politicians and leading to widespread arrests and detentions. However, as the campaign expanded to journalists and others, public support for the government began to decline.
1985 coup
On August 27, 1985, Major General Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Nigeria’s military ruler, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, in a strategic coup. Babangida presented himself as a more open and empathetic leader, releasing political detainees and pledging to consider public opinion. He also promised a return to civilian rule, unveiling a transition program in 1986 to shift power by 1990 (later extended to 1993). However, Babangida maintained military control over the process, forming two state-sponsored political parties, restricting independent political activity, and influencing elections. Despite public assurances, his actions suggested an intent to retain military influence and delay full democratic governance.
1990 coup attempt
In April 22, 1990, Nigeria witnessed a dramatic challenge to the rule of General Ibrahim Babangida. Spearheaded by Major Gideon Orkar, a faction of military officers launched a daring attack on Dodan Barracks, Babangida’s official residence and centre of his administration, aiming to unseat him. In a twist of fate, Babangida evaded capture.
The skirmish endured for ten tense hours, with forces loyal to Babangida pushing back against the insurrection. In the end, senior military commanders from across Nigeria voiced their support for Babangida, signalling the coup’s failure
1993 coup
In the early 1990s, Nigeria’s political scene was dominated by the shifting promises and manoeuvres of General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime. After voiding the presidential primaries of 1992 and barring all candidates from future political participation, Babangida allowed two government-approved candidates to run in a presidential election set for June 1993: Chief M.K.O. Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Babangida’s administration assumed that either the election would be stalled or that regional divides—Abiola from the south and Tofa from the north—would prevent a decisive outcome.
Contrary to expectations, the election took place as scheduled, with an outcome widely considered free, fair, and peaceful. To the surprise of Babangida’s government, Abiola won the election. Yet Babangida annulled the results, a decision that sparked widespread outrage and ultimately led to his resignation in August 1993.
An Interim National Government (ING) was formed and Ernest Shonekan appointed as Interim president but it struggled to gain legitimacy and faced fierce opposition. By November 1993, Defense Minister General Sani Abacha seized power, dismantling the ING and reinstating military rule. Like his predecessor, Abacha promised a transition to civilian rule. However, unlike Babangida, Abacha wielded brutal force to solidify his control.
Effects of military rule
Photo Credit: Legit.ng
Nigeria’s recurring cycle of coups and political instability finds deep roots in colonial history, which forged an artificial state uniting multiple distinct ethnic groups under one flag. This forced unification gave rise to entrenched regional rivalries, with political parties forming along ethnic lines. Regionalism made cohesive governance challenging, making political conflicts seem inevitable. Consequently, opposition to military rule was never unified; each coup merely represented a new faction seizing military control rather than a unified stand against authoritarian governance.
The economic consequences of military rule, particularly during Babangida’s regime, were severe. Abandoning the traditional agricultural economy, Nigeria became heavily reliant on oil exports, leaving the economy vulnerable to volatile oil prices. The Babangida administration faced significant criticism for its “gross incompetence, waste, and mismanagement,” with public offices and resources often diverted for personal gain. Non-oil sectors languished, debt soared as much of foreign exchange earnings went to debt servicing, and economic growth stagnated. Poverty, crime, disease, and urban decay became widespread, fueling public frustration and dissatisfaction. This economic decline and the social upheaval it brought were significant factors behind Nigeria’s persistent coup cycles.