B.Y. Muhammad
On February 20, 2025, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Nigeria’s eighth Head of State (1985–1993), will unveil his much-anticipated autobiography, A Journey in Service. Given the profound and lasting impact of his leadership on Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory, the book is poised to reignite discussions on his legacy—both as a visionary reformist and as a statesman in the nation’s history.
For decades, Babangida’s rule has been the subject of intense debate. To his supporters, he was a leader with a grand vision for Nigeria—one who pursued economic liberalization, modernized governance structures, and introduced political reforms aimed at transitioning the country to democracy. To his critics, he remains a symbol of economic hardship, unfulfilled promises, and political maneuvering that culminated in the controversial annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
With A Journey in Service, Babangida now has the opportunity to present his own narrative, offering insights into the defining moments of his rule and their implications for Nigeria today.
IBB’s Leadership: Reformist Vision or Legacy of Controversy?
Babangida’s rise to power in 1985 came at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s history. The country was grappling with economic difficulties under General Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime. Babangida, known for his strategic thinking and diplomatic acumen, assumed leadership through a bloodless coup, pledging a more inclusive and economically viable government.
His administration, spanning 1985 to 1993, was deeply personal in many sense. He had carefully planned its course, executing policies aimed at fostering a modern, egalitarian economy and a functional democratic polity. Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed significant transformations in political, social, and economic spheres. However, the failure of his transition to civil rule program overshadowed his other well-intentioned reforms, leading to widespread criticisms. Ultimately, his leadership is often judged in totality—his successes credited to him, and his failures solely attributed to his personal decisions and policies.
The Challenges of Governance and Political Reform
Despite his meticulously crafted plans, Babangida’s administration often had to adapt to shifting political realities. His leadership style was marked by flexibility; while his ultimate goals remained constant, his methods evolved in response to national and international circumstances. A prime example was his approach to economic and political reforms.
Upon assuming office, Babangida prioritized restructuring Nigeria’s socio-economic and political institutions. His government introduced two major reform pillars: the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP)—a set of economic policies recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil and transition to a free-market economy—and the Transition to Civil Rule Program.
Rather than imposing his will, Babangida encouraged public debate and intellectual discourse. The Political Bureau, established to chart a new political course for Nigeria, recommended the creation of a two-party system to address chronic political instability. However, rather than fostering issue-based politics, political associations quickly devolved into factional conflicts over party offices and government positions. In response, Babangida dissolved the emerging parties and created two government-sponsored parties—the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). Unfortunately, the inability of the political class to adhere to this new system led to a series of election nullifications, culminating in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Debunking Myths: The Transition and June 12 Controversy
Contrary to popular belief, Babangida did not design the transition process to extend his tenure or orchestrate personal succession. He argued that the political guidelines were clear and achievable, emphasizing that the process required hard work and dedication. However, he observed that Nigerian politics had long been dominated by powerful elites rather than driven by ideals or the interests of the masses. This clashed with his vision of a reformed political order.
Had the political class embraced his expectations, the two-party structure might have thrived, and Nigeria’s democratic transition might have unfolded differently. Instead, shifting circumstances forced Babangida to adjust his strategies, leading to controversial decisions, including the establishment of an Interim National Government to oversee the final phase of the transition.
Economic Policies and Structural Adjustments
Babangida’s administration prioritized economic recovery through pragmatic collaboration with the global financial system. His economic policies focused on:
- Establishing a realistic external value for the Naira through a foreign exchange market.
- Stimulating domestic agricultural and industrial production, including non-oil exports.
- Rationalizing tariffs to protect local industries while fostering industrial growth and diversification.
- Moving towards trade and payment liberalization while reducing bureaucratic controls.
While these policies aimed at stabilizing Nigeria’s economy, the SAP introduced severe economic hardships, particularly for the lower and middle classes, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
The Military as an Instrument of Power
As a career military officer, Babangida viewed the military as a disciplined instrument of governance. His leadership philosophy emphasized control, adaptability, and strategic maneuvering. Unlike his predecessors, who often stumbled into power, Babangida entered office with a clear vision, having served under both the Murtala/Obasanjo regime (1976–1979) and the Buhari regime (1983–1985).
This experience shaped his belief that governance was too critical to be left solely in the hands of generals, ministers, or political operatives. He maintained tight control over policy direction, ensuring that he remained at the helm of decision-making throughout his administration.
There is a rumour that when he came to power in 1985, Babangida told his colleagues in the AFRC that he wanted to be designated as “President”, instead of the traditional “head of state” common under military regimes. Few, if any suspected that the type of president he wanted was not the contemptible ceremonial and lame-duck type, but the type of president who would dominate not only his immediate environment – AFRC and the military – but the external environment – the entire country, if not the entire West African sub-region.
Those who could see – it is plain some did see-thought that being a president in a military regime would be a limitation to Babangida’s powers, and would be an opportunity and added responsibility for them to be running the major affairs of the state on his behalf. How fatal it would be to let such men prescribe strategy!! It was thus essential for him to control strategy, as it had been to control policy. By assuming to himself the position of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he created a powerful presidency unparalleled in the history of Nigeria with various specialized agencies and extra-ministerial departments, staffed by carefully chosen supporters and critics alike. It was through this powerful machinery of the presidency that he applied his ideas and controlled his policies throughout his reign.
The presidential machinery was necessary for him if he was to realize his ultimate ambition to re-construct Nigeria, politically, socially and economically. Such an ambition could be a very serious matter. It could not, Babangida believed, be left in the hands of his ministers to carry out unmonitored. Only him, he believed, had the qualities for such a herculean task; the vision, the combination of military and political will power. Therefore, he must personally supervise the whole program of genuine democratization of the polity and socio-economic reconstruction from beginning to end. Nor could it be left in the hands of his subordinates, his ministers and generals, who as careerists and academicians, and as professional soldiers disliked the prospects of great social and political upheavals, whose consequences could undermine, if not upturn their social and political class.
Indeed, to ban the political heavyweights of the first and second republics of Nigeria, serving and retired generals from politics; to devalue the over-valued Naira; to withdraw subsidies on petroleum products; to abolish the import license system, which hitherto was the monopoly of a privileged class; in short, to take bold political and economic measures were dangerous prospects which could alarm anybody. The violent Anti-SAP demonstrations, labour crises and bloody coup attempts during his reign were all consequences of the bold political and economic measures he implemented. To undertake or envisage such an ambitious program with confidence, one ought not to be a conservative general, but a reforming revolutionary and nationalist, able to command an obedient, if reluctant, nation; certainly, an IBB and Maradona.
A Legacy Open to Interpretation
General Babangida’s leadership remains one of the most complex and debated in Nigeria’s history. His economic and political reforms sought to modernize Nigeria, yet their long-term impact remains contentious. Supporters view him as a pragmatic leader who made difficult but necessary decisions, while critics see his tenure as one marked by policy inconsistencies and political miscalculations.
Perhaps, no Nigerian leader has attempted so much in a short time as Babangida did; certainly, no Nigerian leader has adversely or positively altered the lives of so many as he did; and no Nigerian leader has inspired widespread adoration and has become the hope and ideal of millions as Babangida. Today, among his faithful followers, he is the national hero; to his opponents he is the evil genius.
To achieve what he did, Babangida needed – and possessed – talents out of the ordinary, which in sum amounted to political genius. His mastery of the irrational factors in politics, his insight into the weakness of his opponents, his gift for simplification, his sense of timing, his willingness to take risks, left nobody in doubt. Showing both consistency and an astonishing power of will in pursuing his aims, he retained an unshaken belief in his historic role in Nigeria’s development.
The fact that his transition failed to give birth to a democratically elected government in 1993 that would have “obviated the need for any further military intervention in the political life” of Nigeria, does not by itself detract from Babangida’s greatness. The Babangida administration, like the great revolutions of the past, whatever its ultimate fate, has been identified with the release of certain powerful ideas in Nigeria.
His mission was to destroy the old socio political and economic order of Nigeria, and reconstruct in its place a modern and progressive one, the mission he has never ceased to believe in; and in this, the most deeply felt of his purposes, he did not fail. It remains a fact that regimes, either democratic or military may come and go, certainly, the pre -1985 Nigeria has gone forever. The emphasis which the various Nigerian regimes in succession has placed on reforms, privatization and the deregulation of the Nigerian economy as the only solution to the country’s present economic problems bear testimony to this fact.
With the launch of A Journey in Service, Babangida presents his own account, offering a firsthand perspective on the motivations behind his decisions, the challenges he faced, and his reflections on Nigeria’s trajectory. The book is expected to spark renewed discussions on his role in shaping modern Nigeria, providing a platform for both admirers and detractors to reassess his legacy.
As history continues to evaluate his contributions, A Journey in Service serves as Babangida’s definitive narrative—an opportunity for national reflection on leadership, governance, and the enduring impact of political decisions on Nigeria’s future.
To this day, the annulment of June 12 remains a key point of contention in Nigeria’s democratic history. Critics argue that IBB denied Nigeria a historic opportunity for democratic stability, while some believe he acted under external and internal pressures beyond his control. The question remains: Will A Journey in Service provide the long-awaited answers to this defining moment?
Why A Journey in Service Matters
Few leaders in Nigeria’s history have left as profound an imprint as General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB). A soldier, statesman, and strategist, Babangida’s tenure as Nigeria’s Military President (1985–1993) was marked by bold economic reforms, ambitious political experiments, and far-reaching security strategies. His leadership was as transformative as it was controversial, shaping the trajectory of Nigeria’s modern history in ways that continue to reverberate today.
A Journey in Service offers an unfiltered and deeply personal insight into the life and times of one of Africa’s most enigmatic leaders. From his early days in Minna to his rise through the ranks of the Nigerian military, Babangida recounts the battles he fought—both on the battlefield and within the corridors of power. He reflects on the strategic decisions that defined his administration, including the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), the transition to a Third Republic, and the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election—a decision that remains one of the most debated in Nigeria’s political history.
Beyond politics, this book delves into the philosophy that guided Babangida’s leadership, his vision for Nigeria, and his role in shaping regional security, including the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). He also speaks candidly about the friendships, betrayals, and alliances that influenced his journey.
More than a memoir, this autobiography is a historical document that provides firsthand accounts of the defining moments in Nigeria’s post-independence evolution. For scholars, political analysts, and history enthusiasts, this book is an essential read—an opportunity to understand the man behind the legend and the legacy he leaves behind.
With President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attending the launch as the special guest of honor, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo chairing the event, the book launch itself will be a gathering of key figures in Nigeria’s political history. The presence of former leaders like Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo also signals the broader significance of this moment beyond Nigeria.
This is not just about a book—it is about revisiting Nigeria’s past, with implications for its present and future.
A Nation at a Crossroads: Lessons from IBB’s Era
Nigeria today faces economic struggles, governance challenges, and democratic uncertainties. Some of the very issues that defined IBB’s leadership—economic reforms, military-civilian transitions, and political stability—are still at the forefront of national discourse.
As the country prepares to engage with Babangida’s reflections, the real question is: What can Nigeria learn from its past to navigate its future?
Whether one sees IBB as a visionary leader, a shrewd strategist, or a controversial figure, his memoir is bound to reignite discussions that have shaped Nigeria for decades. His leadership may be debated, but it cannot be ignored.
It is clear that the IBB era stands out as distinctive in Nigeria’s national history in terms of the decisive departure it made in the direction of national policy and orientation. It was the currents unleashed in that era that have largely determined the subsequent course of Nigerian history in the succeeding periods.
As Mr Audu Ogbe rightly observed in an interview published in the Sunday Times of 26th August, 1990, p 17 ……history may find Babangida an enigma too difficult to unravel, a political manual apparently simple to read, but difficult to comprehend, a political event which profoundly touched every Nigerian’s life for joy or pain.
B.Y. Muhammad is the President of the Africa Islamic Economic Forum, Ghana.
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