Murtala Muhammed

Murtala Muhammed was a Nigerian military officer who served as head of state from 1975 until his assassination in 1976. His brief government launched a transition toward civilian rule and reshaped Nigeria’s federal structure.

Nigerian transition to civilian rule: The political process that returned Nigeria from military government to elected civilian rule in 1979. Muhammed’s government set a timetable and created institutions for the 1979 handover.
1975 Nigerian coup d'état: The bloodless coup that removed Yakubu Gowon and brought Murtala Muhammed to power in July 1975. Muhammed became head of state after leading this overthrow of Gowon.
Kano: A major city in northern Nigeria and the capital of Kano State. Muhammed was born in Kano in 1938.
Shehu Shagari: A Nigerian politician who became the country’s first elected executive president in 1979. Shagari assumed civilian leadership after the transition Muhammed’s government prepared.
Yakubu Gowon government: Nigeria’s military government under Yakubu Gowon from 1966 to 1975. Muhammed’s government reversed Gowon’s timetable for returning Nigeria to civilian rule.
States of Nigeria: The subnational units that form Nigeria’s federal system. His government created seven states, expanding the federation from twelve to nineteen.
Supreme Military Council (Nigeria): Nigeria’s ruling military council, which governed the country during periods of military rule. The council was the central governing body under Muhammed’s leadership.
Nigerian Army: The land warfare branch of Nigeria’s armed forces. Muhammed’s military career and political authority were rooted in the army.
Ibrahim Babangida: A Nigerian army officer who later ruled as military president from 1985 to 1993. Babangida was among the officers who helped suppress the 1976 coup attempt.
Second Nigerian Republic: Nigeria’s civilian political system from 1979 until the military coup of 1983. The Second Republic was the civilian order Muhammed’s transition plan sought to establish.

Linked from 11 pages