Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is one of the most controversial figures in Nigeria’s history. Despite having been out of power for fast approaching 15 years he still elicits as many column inches and honourable mentions as he did when he was Head of State. Babangida is a complex multi-dimensional character. His antecedents as a political leader are well known. The purpose of this article is to shed light on his early life and on the days before he became a household name in Nigeria.

Babangida was born to Gwari parents on August 17, 1941 in Minna, Niger State. His parents were Muhammad Badamasi and Inna Aishatu Babangida. He was the eldest of six children and was not born into an affluent environment. Of those six children, four died as infants and his sister Hannatu is his only surviving sibling. His father Muhammad was born in Wushishi in Niger State and later migrated to Minna. In 1950 he began his primary school education at the Native Authority School in Minna where his classmates included another future Nigerian army General and Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar. The two men’s relationship went further. When Babangida's father died in Kontagora in 1955 and his mother also died shortly afterward, Babangida and his sister were sent to live with relatives. They lived in the same household as Abdulsalam Abubakar.

While still at primary school, Babangida had his first brush with the military world when army recruiters came to his school as part of a recruitment drive to encourage northern youths to join the army. They encouraged Babangida and his classmates to join the Nigerian Military School (then known as the Boys Company) but his family decided that Babangida was too young to enrol. He would get another chance later. After leaving the Native Authority School in 1956, Babangida gained admission to the Government College, Bida, in 1957. Once again army recruiters turned up to speak the students on the merits of a military career. This time he took the bait. Babangida and 15 of his school colleagues (including Mamman Jiya Vatsa) sat the entrance exam for admission into the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in Kaduna, and 11 passed. Babangida’s school graduating class from 1962 reads like a “who’s who” of prominent Nigerian army officers. Professor Jerry Gana was a subsequent alumnus of the school.

Babangida and Vatsa enrolled at the NMTC on the same day (December 10, 1962), with Babangida passing out on April 20, 1963. Babangida found his niche in the army. While at the NMTC both Vatsa and Babangida met a diminutive, quiet young Kanuri man from Kano whose life would continually mesh with theirs for decades. The man they met was called Sani Abacha. Babangida received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian army in 1963 at the age of 22. Together with his classmates from the Government College, Bida and his coursemates at the NMTC, Babangida formed a formed a formidable cabal of coup plotting officers that would dominate Nigeria’s political and military evolution for the next four decades. Starting with his classmates from Bida, this cabal was enlarged to include other like minded officers such as Muhammadu Buhari, Sani Abacha and Paul Tarfa. After attending the NMTC he proceeded to the Indian Military Academy from where he graduated in April 1964. His ever present friend Vatsa also attended the Indian Military Academy with him. Upon his return to Nigeria he was posted to the 1st reconnaissance squadron in Kaduna. His commanding officer was the blue blooded son of the Emir of Katsina, Major Hassan Katsina. This squadron and the 2nd reconnaissance squadron in Abeokuta would later evolve into the Nigerian army’s armoured corps, in which Babangida was to be a pivotal figure, and which played crucial roles in future military coups. Babangida served as a member of the Nigerian army units sent to quell the disturbances taking place in the Tiv region. While serving under Katsina, a pivotal event occurred in Kaduna which changed Babangida’s life forever. On January 15th 1966 a group of young army Majors overthrew the civilian government of Tafawa Balewa. Elsewhere in Kaduna a young and charismatic instructor at the NMTC who was acquainted with Babangida murdered the Premier of the Northern Region Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Babangida’s next course was at the Royal Armoured Centre in the United Kingdom for the young officers’ course, which he completed on April 24, 1966. When he returned to Nigeria, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Several of his colleagues and contemporaries such as T.Y Danjuma, Muhammadu Buhari and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua were also promoted by the military government of Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi. However the political temperature was close to boiling point. The atmosphere in the barracks was volcanic as the army factionalised along regional lines with northern and Igbo officers accusing each other of plotting the annihilation of the other. Although at the time he was convinced that the January coup was a sectionally motivated coup by Igbos against the north, in a subsequent interview, Babangida later admitted that the Majors’ coup:

"was not an Igbo based thing as far as I could imagine but the execution of the coup was poorly done and made people to think that it was one sided. I could recall Nzeogwu saying that some chaps in the south let him down because they had not been able to carry out the instruction the way he wanted them."[1]

On July 28, 1966 northern officers mutinied at the Abeokuta garrison. Within days the mutinies spread nationwide and northern soldiers murdered their Igbo colleagues in reprisals for the murder of northern leaders and soldiers during the January Majors’ coup. Babangida was among the mutineers. Further details regarding this coup will follow in a forthcoming book by this author, but it suffices to say that Babangida’s new commanding officer Major Ukpo Isong was murdered during the mutiny by men from his own unit.

Part 2:
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/max-siollun/babangida-the-life-and-times-of-the-evil-genius-part-2-coup-bai.html

What's this supposed to mean?

Babangida is the epitome of what a man can achieve given a little street smarts, a self-aiding, skewed vision of the world/your fellow man and a country that's morally bankrupt and severely lacking checks and balances in which to practice a behind-the-scenes pseudo-monarchy. I am awash anew in irritation and a sense of gross imbalance b/w the sexes and the socio-strata whenever I hear, see or read other Nigerian men hailing his actions and showering him with accolades. This is the same wolf in sheep's clothing that wouldn't even deign to appear before the corruption tribunal and unleashed the demon of Abacha on our people for close to 5 solid years! The same guy that when he took power we were are N.70 to $1 and when he left we were N33 to $1. The same guy with a gold plated villa in Minna loaded with all the trappings from the money he siphoned from our very own coffers. And we are giving him accolades galore. Evil genius indeed! Sometimes---ah! Naija! If only it didn't pain me so! If only I could just make myself NOT care. I'd be a happier girl.

tell me about it my sister. he has parties and its flooded with thousands of NIGERIANS! we never hala!!!

Babangida got his first taste of live battle when Nigeria tore itself apart at the seams and civil war broke out in 1967. During the Nigerian civil war he commanded the 44th infantry battalion (nicknamed “The Rangers”) and was promoted to Captain in August 1968. One of his neighbouring battalion commanders was his childhood buddy Mamman Vatsa who commanded the 21st infantry battalion.

Both Babangida and Vatsa served under Colonel Mohammed Shuwa’s 1st division. Babangida was wounded during the civil war in April 1969 and a bullet remains lodged in his body till this day. He got married in September 1969 to a lady named Maryam King. Although her father was from Asaba, Maryam was the cousin of Babangida’s school classmate and army colleague Garba Duba, and was the daughter of Duba’s aunt. Although originally from Asaba she had spent most of her life in Kaduna having attended the Queen Amina College and Federal Training Centre. The irony was that Maryam’s father was killed during the war shortly before his daughter married Babangida. The couple subsequently had four children named Mohammed, Aminu, Aisha and Halima. Babangida was the best man when his old school classmate and childhood friend Mamman Vatsa got married to a lady from Calabar named Nwaeza Onwuka (who later changed her name to “Safiya”).


Babangida was promoted to Major in 1970 and was sent to a company commanders’ course at Warminster in the United Kingdom from October to November 1970, and on his return to Nigeria, he was appointed an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). One of his students at the NDA was a young blue blooded Fulani cadet named Abubakar Umar. Babangida made an immense impression on Umar who would later attend Harvard University and risk his life to raise Babangida’s profile further. This was the beginning of a common theme of Babangida's personality. His adroitness at winning the loyalty and affection of junior officers would later serve him well as these junior officers would protect and propel him to political power in the future. Once again keeping up their military equivalence, his friend Vatsa was also appointed an instructor at the NDA.



MKO ABIOLA, OBASANJO AND “COUP BAITING”


The corrupt incompetence of the civilian democratic government of Shehu Shagari gave some politically ambitious military officers an excuse to abandon the barracks for another political rescue operation. A cabal of the officers that handed over to President Shagari (including Babangida) resolved to depose Shagari and replace him with another military regime. Overthrowing the government involved extremely subtle operations within the military and in civil society. Babangida and his colleagues required the collaboration of their civilian friends. President Shagari reported that several frustrated politicians engaged in what he termed “coup baiting”. Shagari’s ruling party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had an elaborate zoning system for the distribution of government portfolios - including the presidency. Since the presidency had been zoned to President Shagari (from the north), the multi-billionaire businessman, Moshood Abiola hoped he would benefit from the NPN’s zoning system. Abiola assumed that when President Shagari’s term of office expired, the NPN would “zone” the presidency to the south, and he would be allowed to run for President. He was wrong. When Abiola articulated his presidential ambition, he was rebuffed by the powerful Minister of Transport Umaru Dikko who told him that “the presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder”. Abiola “retired” from politics soon after – totally exasperated with the NPN. Abiola would have his revenge. He had been a close friend of Babangida since 1974 when Abiola was selling radio systems to the military. Back then Babangida was sent to evaluate the quality of devices being sold by Abiola. According to Babangida “From that time the relationship developed and he was always around”.

Abiola’s publishing empire was used to launch frequent vitriolic attacks on the government with the intention of discrediting it sufficiently to psychologically prepare the public for its replacement by a military regime. In his memoirs (Beckoned to Serve), President Shagari later obliquely referred to the financing and support given to military conspirators by an unnamed “well known business tycoon”. Although he declined to name this tycoon, contextually it was an obvious reference to Abiola. Babangida went further in unequivocally confirming Abiola’s role in financing the plot against Shagari and using his influence to destabilise Shagari’s government. He later revealed that Abiola:

“was also very good in trying to mould the thinking of the media. We relied on him a lot for that. So there was both the media support and the financial support.” (Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria)

An overlooked aspect of the plot against President Shagari is the role played by former Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo. Many have speculated that the coup which overthrew Shagari was carried out with the connivance, or support of retired military officers. In his memoirs President Shagari also accused Obasanjo of engaging in “coup baiting”. Shagari alleged that Obasanjo and other retired officers severely criticised his regime with the aim of inciting the military to overthrow Shagari. Senior serving military officers were reported to have frequently visited Obasanjo at his Ota farm. Shagari’s observations are given credence by a recent interview with Babangida. In that interview Babangida claimed that the original aim of the coup plot was to bring Obasanjo back to power. However on being informed of the plan, Obasanjo refused as he felt it would destroy his credibility as a statesman. Babangida himself was then approached to become the new Head of State but he too declined. The text from this part of the interview is reproduced below:



Question: “It was also said that those of you who ousted Shagari actually wanted to bring back General Obasanjo as Head of State in 1984. Is this true?”

Babangida: “It is true. But to be very fair to General Obasanjo, he rejected the offer. He said no. He said it would destroy his integrity, that he handed over to Shagari and that it is not right for him to get involved. But he (Obasanjo) said he was not stopping us from going ahead with the plot”.

Part 2

Babangida got his first taste of live battle when Nigeria tore itself apart at the seams and civil war broke out in 1967.  During the Nigerian civil war he commanded the 44th infantry battalion (nicknamed “The Rangers”) and was promoted to Captain in August 1968.  One of his neighbouring battalion commanders was his childhood buddy Mamman Vatsa who commanded the 21st  infantry battalion.

Both Babangida and Vatsa served under Colonel Mohammed Shuwa’s 1st division.  Babangida was wounded during the civil war in April 1969 and a bullet remains lodged in his body till this day.  He got married in September 1969 to a lady named Maryam King.  Although her father was from Asaba, Maryam was the cousin of Babangida’s school classmate and army colleague Garba Duba, and was the daughter of Duba’s aunt.  Although originally from Asaba she had spent most of her life in Kaduna having attended the Queen Amina College and Federal Training Centre.  The irony was that Maryam’s father was killed during the war shortly before his daughter married Babangida.  The couple subsequently had four children named Mohammed, Aminu, Aisha and Halima.  Babangida was the best man when his old school classmate and childhood friend Mamman Vatsa got married to a lady from Calabar named Nwaeza Onwuka (who later changed her name to “Safiya”).


Babangida was promoted to Major in 1970 and was sent to a company commanders’ course at Warminster in the United Kingdom from October to November 1970, and on his return to Nigeria, he was appointed an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).  One of his students at the NDA was a young blue blooded Fulani cadet named Abubakar Umar.  Babangida made an immense impression on Umar who would later attend Harvard University and risk his life to raise Babangida’s profile further.  This was the beginning of a common theme of Babangida's personality.  His adroitness at winning the loyalty and affection of junior officers would later serve him well as these junior officers would protect and propel him to political power in the future.  Once again keeping up their military equivalence, his friend Vatsa was also appointed an instructor at the NDA.



MKO ABIOLA, OBASANJO AND “COUP BAITING”


The corrupt incompetence of the civilian democratic government of Shehu Shagari gave some politically ambitious military officers an excuse to abandon the barracks for another political rescue operation.  A cabal of the officers that handed over to President Shagari (including Babangida) resolved to depose Shagari and replace him with another military regime.  Overthrowing the government involved extremely subtle operations within the military and in civil society.  Babangida and his colleagues required the collaboration of their civilian friends.  President Shagari reported that several frustrated politicians engaged in what he termed “coup baiting”.  Shagari’s ruling party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had an elaborate zoning system for the distribution of government portfolios - including the presidency.  Since the presidency had been zoned to President Shagari (from the north), the multi-billionaire businessman, Moshood Abiola hoped he would benefit from the NPN’s zoning system.  Abiola assumed that when President Shagari’s term of office expired, the NPN would “zone” the presidency to the south, and he would be allowed to run for President.   He was wrong.  When Abiola articulated his presidential ambition, he was rebuffed by the powerful Minister of Transport Umaru Dikko who told him that “the presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder”.  Abiola “retired” from politics soon after – totally exasperated with the NPN.  Abiola would have his revenge.  He had been a close friend of Babangida since 1974 when Abiola was selling radio systems to the military.  Back then Babangida was sent to evaluate the quality of devices being sold by Abiola.  According to Babangida “From that time the relationship developed and he was always around”.

Abiola’s publishing empire was used to launch frequent vitriolic attacks on the government with the intention of discrediting it sufficiently to psychologically prepare the public for its replacement by a military regime.  In his memoirs (Beckoned to Serve), President Shagari later obliquely referred to the financing and support given to military conspirators by an unnamed “well known business tycoon”.  Although he declined to name this tycoon, contextually it was an obvious reference to Abiola.  Babangida went further in unequivocally confirming Abiola’s role in financing the plot against Shagari and using his influence to destabilise Shagari’s government.  He later revealed that Abiola:

“was also very good in trying to mould the thinking of the media.  We relied on him a lot for that.  So there was both the media support and the financial support.” (Karl Maier – Midnight in Nigeria)

An overlooked aspect of the plot against President Shagari is the role played by former Head of State General Olusegun Obasanjo.  Many have speculated that the coup which overthrew Shagari was carried out with the connivance, or support of retired military officers.  In his memoirs President Shagari also accused Obasanjo of engaging in “coup baiting”.  Shagari alleged that Obasanjo and other retired officers severely criticised his regime with the aim of inciting the military to overthrow Shagari.  Senior serving military officers were reported to have frequently visited Obasanjo at his Ota farm.  Shagari’s observations are given credence by a recent interview with Babangida.  In that interview Babangida claimed that the original aim of the coup plot was to bring Obasanjo back to power.  However on being informed of the plan, Obasanjo refused as he felt it would destroy his credibility as a statesman.  Babangida himself was then approached to become the new Head of State but he too declined.  The text from this part of the interview is reproduced below:



Question:  “It was also said that those of you who ousted Shagari actually wanted to bring back General Obasanjo as Head of State in 1984. Is this true?”

Babangida: “It is true. But to be very fair to General Obasanjo, he rejected the offer. He said no. He said it would destroy his integrity, that he handed over to Shagari and that it is not right for him to get involved. But he (Obasanjo) said he was not stopping us from going ahead with the plot”.

I wish this man never ruled nigeria