General Murtala Ramat Mohammed
General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was a prominent Nigerian military leader who served as Nigeria's Head of State from 29 July 1975 until his assassination in a failed coup attempt on 13 February 1976.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 8 November 1938, Kano, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now Kano State, Nigeria)
- Died
- February 13, 1976, Lagos, Nigeria
- Rank
- General
- Tenure
- July 29, 1975 – February 13, 1976
- Predecessor
- General Yakubu Gowon
- Successor
- General Olusegun Obasanjo
Early Life and Military Career
Born in Kano, Murtala Muhammed joined the Nigerian Army in 1958 and received his officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. He rose through the ranks rapidly and played a significant role during the Nigerian Civil War as the commander of the 2nd Division. His leadership during the war was marked by both tactical decisiveness and strategic controversies. Before becoming Head of State, he served as the Federal Commissioner for Communications under the Gowon administration.
Rise to Power and Administrative Reforms
Muhammed assumed power on July 29, 1975, following a bloodless coup that deposed General Yakubu Gowon while the latter was attending an OAU summit. His administration immediately embarked on a massive 'purge' of the civil service, dismissing over 10,000 officials to combat corruption and inefficiency. He introduced a 'low profile' policy for government officials, eschewing the flamboyance of previous regimes. These actions earned him significant popular support among Nigerians who desired rapid social and institutional change.
National Development and State Creation
In February 1976, Muhammed's government reorganised Nigeria's federal structure from 12 to 19 states to decentralize power and foster regional development. He also made the historic decision to relocate the Federal Capital from the congested city of Lagos to a more central location in Abuja. Furthermore, he established a clear transition program to return Nigeria to democratic civilian rule by October 1979. His foreign policy was assertive, notably supporting the MPLA in Angola against Western interests.
Assassination and Posthumous Legacy
General Muhammed's life was cut short on February 13, 1976, when he was assassinated in his car during a failed coup attempt led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka. Despite his short six-month tenure, he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's greatest national heroes for his integrity and visionary leadership. Today, his portrait adorns the 20 Naira note, and the international airport in Lagos is named in his memory. He remains a symbol of revolutionary change and decisive governance in the Nigerian political consciousness.
Key Works / Related Items
- Creation of seven additional Nigerian states in 1976
- Initiation of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja project
- Massive civil service reform and anti-corruption purge
- Setting the 1979 transition timetable to civilian rule
- Assertive Africa-centered foreign policy, famously expressed in his 'Africa has come of age' speech
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Olusegun Obasanjo
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