Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. After independence, Nigeria adopted…
Nigeria’s History And Political Development From 1979 To The Present Day Democracy
Nigeria’s history and political development from 1979 to the present day have been marked by both significant progress and challenges.
In this post, we are looking at the history and political transition Nigeria has experienced since 1979, which are characteristics of several changes in government, significant economic growth and social challenges such as corruption, insecurity and ethnic conflicts.
Here’s a brief overview of the major events that have shaped Nigeria’s history and political development from 1979 to the present day democracy:
- 1979: Nigeria’s Second Republic was inaugurated after the military handed over power to civilians. Alhaji Shehu Shagari became the first president of the Second Republic, which was marked by a return to multiparty democracy.
- 1983: The Second Republic was cut short by a military coup led by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, who became the head of state.
- 1985: General Ibrahim Babangida overthrew Buhari in another coup and became the new head of state. Babangida initiated a transition to civilian rule, which was marked by several failed attempts and controversies.
- 1993: Presidential elections were held, and Moshood Abiola, a businessman and philanthropist, won the election in what was considered the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history. However, Babangida annulled the election, leading to protests and unrest.
- 1998: General Sani Abacha, who had taken over after Babangida, died suddenly, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar became the new head of state. Abubakar initiated a transition to civilian rule, which led to the election of Olusegun Obasanjo as president in 1999.
- 1999-2007: Olusegun Obasanjo was elected president and served two terms. His administration focused on economic reforms and anti-corruption efforts.
- 2007-2010: Umaru Yar’Adua was elected president, but his administration was marked by health challenges that limited his effectiveness.
- 2010-2015: Goodluck Jonathan became president after Yar’Adua’s death. His administration faced several challenges, including insecurity, corruption, and economic challenges.
- 2015-2023: Muhammadu Buhari was elected president after a campaign focused on security and anti-corruption. His administration has faced significant challenges, including insecurity, economic recession and social unrest. Till date, the country is still battling with these social, economic and political ills which many described as the worst in the history of Nigeria since independence.
In summary, Nigeria’s political transition from 1979 to the present day democratic dispensation has been marked by a series of military coups, transitions to civilian rule, economic growth and social challenges such as corruption, insecurity and ethnic conflicts. While Nigeria has made progress in some areas, such as the return to democracy, economic reforms and anti-corruption efforts, it still faces significant challenges that require sustained efforts from the government and the people to address.
