How Nigeria’s First Republic Fell in 1966
Nigeria’s First Republic lasted for less than three years until it fell on January 15, 1966, after the country’s first military coup.
The Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
The Nigerian civil war witnessed the death of about one to three million Nigerians, with the majority being from the Eastern region.
How the Umaru Dikko Kidnap of July 1984 Failed
Umaru Dikko fled to London through the Republic of Benin...to Togo and took a flight to London from Lome. The minister had become "Nigeria's most wanted man".
What really caused General Sani Abacha’s death on June 8, 1998?
After Abacha's death, Lieutenant-General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, was sworn in as the country's 11th Head-of-State.
How General Olusegun Obasanjo Americanized Nigeria in 1979
In 1979, General Olusegun Obasanjo ditched the British-style parliamentary system and opted for the American-style presidential system...
Was Joseph Gomwalk guilty of the 1976 Dimka Coup?
Joseph Gomwalk was only 41 years old when he was executed on May 15, 1976, in Lagos, the federal capital.
How Goodluck Jonathan became Nigeria’s President in 2010
With the fears that the power vacuum would lead to anarchy and a possible military takeover...they reached a compromise by adopting the Doctrine of Necessity.
Why the April 22, 1990, Gideon Orkar Coup failed
The April 22, 1990, Gideon Orkar coup led to the speedy movement of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1991 which would disrupt the Abuja masterplan.
Was President Shehu Shagari overthrown because of corruption?
Shehu Shagari was the only democratically elected President of Nigeria’s Second Republic. The post-civil war military government led by...
The Nigerian Naira (₦): A History of its Rise and Fall
On January 1, 1973, the Nigerian Naira replaced the Nigerian pound with an exchange rate of ₦2 to £1 in the UK and ₦1 to $0.6 in the U.S.
Nigeria’s Crude Oil: A Blessing or a Curse to the Niger Delta?
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) recorded three thousand, two hundred and three (3,203) oil spills in the Niger Delta region between 2006 and 2010.
Ahebi Ugbabe: The Only Female King of Colonial Nigeria
Ahebi Ugbabe has been described succinctly by Nwando Achebe in her book, The Female King of Colonial Nigeria: Ahebi Ugbabe, published in 2011...
How Bola Ige, Funsho Williams were assassinated in the early 2000s
While Bola Ige was shot and killed in Ibadan, Funsho Williams was stabbed and strangled to death at his home in Lagos.
The Tragic Story of Hadiza Oboh, Nigeria Airways’ First Female Pilot
Hadiza Oboh was the first and only female pilot of the defunct Nigeria Airways in the 1990s. She was an amazon in, not only, the Nigerian aviation industry but the world at large.
Top 8 Events that led to the Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War or the Nigeria-Biafra War, was a war fought to counter the secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.
Iwe Irohin: Nigeria’s First Newspaper (1859-1867)
In January 1866, Iwe Irohin appeared in two versions; one in English and the other in the Yoruba language. The English language version sold for one penny.
Who are the Real Founding Fathers of Nigeria?
Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa are commonly mentioned when Nigerians discuss their founding fathers...
Was Calabar ever the capital of Nigeria?
Although Calabar was the capital of this new Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, however, most of the colonial, diplomatic activities and high-level official businesses were carried out in Lagos.
Does Biafra still exist?
In his No Victor, No Vanquished speech on January 15, 1970, General Yakubu Gowon asserted that “the so-called 'Rising Sun of Biafra' is set forever.”
Aburi Accord: What Really Happened in Ghana in 1967 that led to the Nigerian...
In January 1967, representatives from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Eastern Region met in Ghana to agree on what is now known as the Aburi Accord...
How Dele Giwa was Bombed to Death in 1986
Dele Giwa kept moaning the refrain, “They have got me.” Who he referred to as “they” still remains a riddle to this day.
How Olusegun Obasanjo saved Nigeria’s democracy in 1999
On his ascension to the presidency in 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo was already thinking about his second term in 2003, which was four years away...
