Military Coups In Nigeria [FULL LIST]

1. January 15, 1966: The First Military Coup (The “Majors’ Coup”)

This bloody event was the first military intervention that successfully overthrew the civilian government of the First Republic. It was executed primarily by a group of young, middle-ranking army officers, most famously led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. The coup plotters assassinated key political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Sardauna of Sokoto Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Western Region Premier Chief S.I. Akintola. While the original plotters failed to seize central power, the chaos forced the remaining civilian Council of Ministers to hand control over to the military’s most senior officer, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, who became the Head of the National Military Government.

2. July 29, 1966: The Counter-Coup

Six months after the first coup, a retributive move known as the Counter-Coup or the “July Rematch” was executed by Northern military officers, most notably led by Lieutenant Colonel Murtala Muhammed. This coup was a reaction to the sectional killings in the January coup and the perceived lack of justice for the murdered Northern leaders. It resulted in the murder of Head of State Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi and his host, Lt. Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, in Ibadan. Following the successful seizure of power and a period of instability, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon was appointed the new Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

3. July 29, 1975: The 1975 Coup

This was a bloodless military coup orchestrated by a faction of junior officers, including Colonel Joseph Nanven Garba, to remove General Yakubu Gowon from power after nine years. At the time of the coup, Gowon was attending an Organisation of African Unity (OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda. The plotters cited Gowon’s failure to make progress toward democratic rule and general dissatisfaction within the military as reasons for the overthrow. Brigadier Murtala Muhammed was appointed the new Head of State, with Brigadier Olusegun Obasanjo as his deputy.

4. February 13, 1976: The 1976 Coup Attempt (Dimka Coup)

Six months into the new regime, Lieutenant Colonel Bukar Suka Dimka led a failed military coup attempt. The coup was quickly suppressed by government troops, but not before Head of State General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in his car in Lagos while en route to work. The attempt also resulted in the death of Kwara State Governor Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo. Following the crushing of the rebellion, Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo, who had been the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, succeeded the slain Muhammed as the Head of State.

5. December 31, 1983: The 1983 Coup

This successful military intervention ended Nigeria’s Second Republic. A group of senior military officers, including Major General Muhammadu Buhari, Brigadier Ibrahim Babangida, and Brigadier Sani Abacha, overthrew the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari. The coup leaders, led by Buhari, justified the takeover by citing the widespread corruption, economic mismanagement, and lack of accountability that characterized the civilian administration. Major General Muhammadu Buhari was installed as the new Head of State.

6. August 27, 1985: The 1985 Coup (Palace Coup)

This was a “palace coup” where a faction within the ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC), led by Chief of Army Staff Major General Ibrahim Babangida, overthrew the existing military government of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Babangida and the plotters accused Buhari of being rigid, failing to address the country’s severe economic problems, and suppressing press freedom. Babangida assumed the title of President and Head of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC).

7. December 1985: The Vatsa Coup Plot

This was an abortive conspiracy to overthrow the military regime of Major General Ibrahim Babangida. The plot was allegedly led by Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, a close friend of Babangida and a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC). The plot was discovered before it could be executed, leading to the arrest, trial, conviction, and eventual execution of General Vatsa and dozens of other military officers, further consolidating Babangida’s power.

8. April 22, 1990: The 1990 Coup Attempt (Orkar Coup)

This highly violent, but ultimately failed, coup attempt was led by Major Gideon Orkar against the government of General Ibrahim Babangida. Rebel troops successfully seized the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) station and attacked the Dodan Barracks (the Presidential residence), but Babangida managed to escape. In his broadcast, Orkar controversially announced the temporary “excision” of five Northern states from Nigeria. The coup failed largely due to ethnic bias in its message and a lack of nationwide support, leading to the execution of Major Orkar and 41 co-conspirators.

9. November 17, 1993: The 1993 Coup

The final successful military takeover occurred when the Defence Minister, General Sani Abacha, forced the interim President, Chief Ernest Shonekan, to resign. Shonekan had been appointed to head the Interim National Government (ING) after General Babangida was forced to step down following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election results. Abacha’s bloodless takeover, which lasted less than three months after the ING was formed, dissolved all democratic institutions and installed General Sani Abacha as the Head of State with absolute power.