Abdulsalami Abubakar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 11thHead of State of Nigeria | |
| In office 9 June 1998 – 29 May 1999 | |
| CGS | Michael Akhigbe |
| Preceded by | Sani Abacha |
| Succeeded by | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 9 June 1998 – 29 May 1999 | |
| President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Sani Abacha |
| Succeeded by | Theophilus Danjuma |
| Chief of Defence Staff | |
| In office 21 December 1997 – 9 June 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Oladipo Diya |
| Succeeded by | Al-Amin Daggash |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1942-06-13)13 June 1942 (age 83) |
| Spouse | Fati Lami Abubakar |
| Children | 7 |
| Residence | Minna |
| Occupation | Military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch |  Nigerian Air Force Nigerian Army |
| Service years | 1963–1966 (Air Force) 1966–1999 (Army) |
| Rank | General |
| Conflicts | Nigerian Civil War 1978 South Lebanon conflict |
Abdulsalami AbubakarGCFR (/ˌɑːbdəlsəˈlæmiˌɑːbuˈbɑːkɑːr/ ⓘ; born 13 June 1942) is a retiredNigerian army general who served as the militaryhead of state ofNigeria from 1998 to 1999.[1] He was alsoChief of Defence Staff from 1997 to 1998. He succeeded GeneralSani Abacha upon the latter's death.[2]
During his leadership, Nigeria adopted a modified version of the 1979 constitution, which provided for multiparty elections. He transferred power to president-electOlusegun Obasanjo on 29 May 1999.[3] He is the current Chairman of the National Peace Committee.[4]
Abubakar, an ethnicHausa, was born on 13 June 1942 to Abubakar Jibrin and Fatikande Mohammed, inMinna, Niger State, Nigeria.[5]
From 1950 to 1956 he attendedMinna Native Authority Primary school. From 1957 to 1962, he had his secondary school education at Government College, Bida,Niger State. From January to October 1963, he studied atKaduna Technical College.[citation needed]
Abubakar is a member of the pioneering sets of officer cadets who enlisted into the Nigerian Air force on 3 October 1963. From 1964- 1966, he was flown toUetersen,West Germany with a team of officer cadets, for Basic and AdvancedMilitary Training. When he returned to Nigeria in 1966, he wasseconded to theNigerian Army.[6]
After joining the army in 1966 as an officer cadet, Abubakar attended the emergency combatant short service course two. In October 1967, Abubakar was commissioned second lieutenant, infantry division,Nigerianarmy. From 1967 to 1968, Abubakar was general staff officer two, second garrison, and commanding officer, 92 infantry battalion from 1969 to 1974. Between 1974 and 1975, he was made brigade major, 7th infantry brigade. In 1975 he served as commanding officer, 84 infantry battalion. In 1978–1979, Abubakar was commanding officer for the 145 infantry battalion (NIBATT II), United Nations Interim force,Lebanon.[citation needed]
In 1979 he was made assistant adjutant general 3rd Infantry division, Nigeria. From 1980 to 1982, Abubakar was chief instructor at theNigerian Defence Academy. In 1982 he was appointed as the colonel of administration and quartering, 1st mechanised division. A position he held up until 1984. From 1985 to 1986, Abubakar was the commander 3rd Mechanised Brigade. He served as the military secretary of the army, 1986–1988. Abubakar was made general officer commanding 1st mechanised division 1990–1991. Between 1991 and 1993, he was the principal staff officer, as the army chief of plan and policy, Defence Headquarters.[7]
From 1997 to 1998, GeneralSani Abacha appointed Abubakar as theChief of Defence Staff. Upon Abacha's death on 8 June 1998, Abubakar was named militaryPresident and Commander in Chief of theArmed Forces of theFederal Republic of Nigeria.[8]
Nigeria had been ruled by military leaders sinceMuhammadu Buhari seized power fromShehu Shagari in a 1983 coup.[9]Although democratic elections had been held in 1993, they were annulled by GeneralIbrahim Babangida.[10] Abubakar was sworn in as president on 9 June 1998 after the unexpected death of Abacha. He declared a weeklong period of national mourning.[11]
A few days after assuming office, Abubakar promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president.[9]He established theIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court JusticeEphraim Akpata as its chairman.[12]
The INEC held a series of elections, first for Local Government Areas in December 1998, then for State Assemblies and Governors, National Assemblies and finally for the President on 27 February 1999. Although efforts were made to ensure that the elections were free and fair, there were widespread irregularities that drew criticism from foreign observers.[13]
In terms of economics his government advocated for an privateisation programme which was announced on the 20 July 1998 by H.E Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. The government retained 40% of the telecom, electricity, petroleum refineries, coal and bitumen production, tourism, and spill-overs from the first phase of privatisation equities of the affected enterprises whilst 40% will be alienated to strategic investors with the right technical, financial and management capabilities.[14] Abubakar's political economy was said to be almost a direct diversion from that of his predecessors to acquire international legitimacy.[15] Further he advocated foreconomic liberalization,deregulation andforeign investment.[16]
Surprising some critics of the country's military,[10] in May 1999 General Abubakar handed over power to the newly elected civilian president,Olusegun Obasanjo, and retired from the army.[17]
Abubakar's legacy is mixed. A lecture circuit atChicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, United States featuring him encountered opposition, because he had supported Abacha's government.[18] (Abacha's administration was notorious for itshuman rights abuses).[18][19] He was also sued in that country by other Nigerians who claimed he was responsible for the death of 1993 president-electMoshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in custody after being prevented by the military from taking office, and for the violation of the rights of others during his administration.[20] Abubakar helped in the Liberian peace movement by presiding over the 2003 peace talks betweenCharles Taylor and the opposing rebels. This is seen in the moviePray the Devil Back to Hell. Abubakar also chaired the Commonwealth Observer Group to theZimbabwe presidential election in 2002, which concluded that "the conditions in Zimbabwe did not adequately allow for a free expression of will by the electors".[21]
Abubakar is married to Fati and they have six children together.[10]
On 12 July 2025, it was reported that Abubaker was dying from an undisclosed illness and also in the sameLondon hospital where fellow former Nigerian PresidentMuhammadu Buhari, who Abubaker had known since 1962, stayed.[22] Abubaker soon afterwards confirmed this, and noted that he was discharged from the London hospital shortly before Buhari died.[23]
Abudulsalami Abubakar has received several awards and medals. In alphabetical order they include:
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria 1998–1999 | Succeeded byas President of Nigeria |
| Preceded by | Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States 1998–1999 | Succeeded by |
| Queen (1960–1963) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| President of theFirst Republic (1963–1966) | ||
| Military regime (1966–1979) | ||
| President of theSecond Republic (1979–1983) | ||
| Military regime (1983–1999) | ||
| President of theFourth Republic (from 1999) | ||
*Civilian; headed transition to abortiveThird Republic | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
