1. Table 1: A profile of Governments since independence; political, military and economic changes
Dates Type Main Protagonists Salient Military, Political and Economic shifts
Oct '60 – Jan. '66 Elected, civilian with strong Prime Minister Balewa, Alhaji First post-independence government led by an alliance
regional bias Ahmadu Bello (Premier of the of the Northern Peoples’ Congress; small military
North), Chief Awolowo (Premier (10,000) Colonial in orientation, but professional in
of the West), Dr Okpara ((Premier character, drawn into internal security by rising
of the East), President Azikiwe political tension, especially in the Western and North-
Central region; Economy largely agrarian.
Jan – July ’66 Military junta after first coup General Aguiyi Ironsi as Head of Period of high political tension arising from the
State, strong civilian bureaucracy assassination of prominent political leaders –
largely drawn from the East especially in the north; Destruction of the military
espirit de corps and professionalism.
Jul ’66 – Jul 75 Collegial Military junta, weak General Gowon and members of Broad-based support of all armed forces for military
at inception, but strengthened the Supreme Military Council junta inspite of earlier problems, gained legitimacy in
by civil war victory. the aftermath of civil war; largely ignored
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2. restructuring of the post war military institution.
July '75 – Sept '79 Military junta Generals Mohammed, Obasanjo, As above, but with more credibility and more
Yar'Adua, Danjuma, and middle- emphasis on professionalism and political change.
level officers who overthrew
previous junta
Oct ’79 – Dec '83 Elected civil rule under 1979 President Shagari of the National Limited control of the military; creation of alternative
constitution Party of Nigeria; multiparty base in police force as well as patronage to ensure
political structure, presidential loyalty to government.
style of government
Dec ’83 – Aug '85 Collegial military junta Generals Buhari, Idiagbon Professional-political prerogative; nationalist and
dominated by the Head and his authoritarian regime with a largely inward looking
deputy agenda.
Aug ’85 – Aug '93 Transition from junta to General Babangida was the main Co-optation of the military in the ruler's personal
personalised dictatorship in a player with 'bit parts' to close project via patronage and deft political manoeuvrings,
palace coup civilians and military 'politicians' Structural adjustment and preference for capital.
Aug ’93 – Nov '93 Interim government represent- Chief E. Shonekan, Head of Clear military control of a government that lacked
ing an interregnum after the Interim Government, and General legitimacy and popular support in a period of high
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3. annulled elections and exit of Abacha, Defence Secretary political tension.
Babangida
Nov ’93 – June '98 Full-blown military dictatorship General Abacha Undermined military professionalism, increased use of
intelligence and security outfits, especially death
squads, against political and military opponents.
June '98 – May '99 Military dictatorship with a General Abdulsalami Abubakar Focus on political transition and preparation for
‘human face’ - under pressure withdrawal from government.
to reform politically and exit
gracefully
May '99 - ? Elected civilian government General Obasanjo civilian Authoritarian residues, rather than democratic control
after prolonged military rule government with a non- of security structures; commitment to military
with a lot of goodwill at ideological, centrist notion of professionalism but increasing privatisation of security
inception politics but weak party structure in the wake of organised crime, ethnic and religious
and a militarily imposed disaffection and economic challenges.
constitution
Source: Adapted from J.’Kayode Fayemi, Entrenched Militarism and the Politics of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’, in Kees Koonings & Dirk Kruijt (eds),
Political Armies (London: Zed Press, 2002)
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