This article covers the military coups in Nigeria right from the first one to the last military coup the country experienced. It also highlights their causes and everything you need to know about Nigeria’s coup d’etat since the country gained independence.

Sit back and enjoy the read.


Military Coups in Nigeria – An Introduction

Nigeria, as a country, has experienced several military coups since the country got her independence in 1960.

There have been both successful and unsuccessful military coups in Nigeria, but one thing is sure – these coups have helped chart the course of the country.

With the rise in corruption and other factors post-independence, it sometimes became crucial for the military to take over power and restore sanity.

However, what began as an emergency intervention soon became a permanent feature in the Nigeria political atmosphere.

Between 1966 and 1999, the Nigerian army held power in the county without interruption, except from a short-lived return to democracy between the years 1979 and 1983.

This fact shows how deep coup d’etats are a part of the history of Nigeria post-independence.
What is a Military Coup?

A military coup is a situation when the military violently or non-violently overthrows an existing political regime. It also goes by the terms, ‘ousting,’ ‘overthrow,’ ‘putsch,’ or ‘takeover.’

No matter the term it bears, it’s typically illegal, and unconstitutional and involves the seizure of power by the military, political faction or a dictator.

A coup is successful when the coup organizers seize and hold power for at least seven days and a coup in the works or unsuccessful coup is term a ‘coup attempt’.


Causes of Military Coups in Nigeria

Military coups in Nigeria link to various factors revolving around one word – corruption.

Following independence, Nigeria had democratically elected leaders; however, with the rise in corruption, the military stepped in to set things straight, thus the first military coup in Nigeria.

After that, there were a series of military coups leading the country to where it is today.

Comprehensively, the top reasons for military intervention in Nigeria include;

Socio-economic Underdevelopment
Corruption and Political Underdevelopment
The Centrality of the Military
Conflict Based on Societal Issues
Ethnic and Regional Differences

Top Reasons for Military Intervention in Nigeria

Socio-economic Underdevelopment

This reason suggests that military intervention sometimes happens because of disbelief in the socio-economic development of the country.

Countries that are socially and economically stable are less prone to military coups and any country having instabilities in socioeconomics is likely to experience one.

Military interventions often happen in countries with low-income status, with the military trying to seize power and take situations back to normal.


Corruption and Political Underdevelopment

Political underdevelopment and crises is another reason the military might intervene. This is a common cause of a military coup, and the coup is often to eliminate the corruption and crises from the political sector.

These political crises and corruption weakens the government and increases the chances of a military coup happening.



The Centrality of the Government

This cause of military coup is based on the amount of power the military has in a country. This theorizes that the greater the power and resources the military have, the greater the chances of a military coup.

A weak government may provoke strong military forces to take over the rule of the country.
Societal Conflict

Conflicts about societal issues can be a prevalent cause of a military coup. These conflicts may include ethnic and religious issues. This is typical because Nigeria has several tribes and three major religions.

When these ethnic and religious conflicts are not controlled, it can lead to military intervention.



Regional Differences

Nigeria has several tribes and geopolitical zones with different regional and ethnic differences. These differences may lead to political instabilities and lead to military coups if not handled well.

This is why the government must provide ways to foster peaceful interrelationship and coexistence between the different regions in Nigeria.



Military Coups in Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced several military coups since independence in 1960. Some of this coup d’etat include;

The January 1966 Coup
The July 1966 Coup
The 1975 Coup
The 1976 Coup
The 1983 Coup
The August 1985 Coup
The December 1985 Alleged Vatsa Coup
The 1990 Coup
The 1993 Coup


The January 1966 Coup

The January 1966 Nigeria military coup began on January 15th, 1966.

It started when some Nigerian soldiers led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna killed 22 persons.

The persons killed included the Prime Minister, several senior politicians, senior army officers, and their wives, and sentinels on protective duty.

The coup plotters attacked Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos and blockaded the Niger and Benue River within 48 hours before the plotters were subdued.

Following the coup, Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army, took charge of the country.

This put democracy in Nigeria on hold.

The casualties of the coup included the country’s Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Samuel Akintola, the finance minister, the Premier of the Western Region, Festus Okotie-Eboh and many others.



The July 1966 Coup

Read more here https://informationtoknow.com/military-coups-in-nigeria/

FOR


Other Coups in Nigeria and their details
The Impact of Military Rule in Nigeria
Characteristics of Military Rule in Nigeria
The Structure of Military Rule in Nigeria
Achievements and Failures/Weaknesses of Military Rule in Nigeria.
Achievements of Military Rule in Nigeria
The failures and weaknesses of military rule in Nigeria
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Military Coups in Nigeria
and More


https://informationtoknow.com/military-coups-in-nigeria/

Ok ooo

The Major Gideon Orkar coup of April 22 1990 is the most unique.Dodan Barracks was something else.

Only 2 military coup happened Nigeria!

The Nzeogwu 1966 coup that overthrew Balewa-Zik govt and Buhari coup that overthrew Shagari's govt.

These were democratically elected govts, others were illegitimate military govts so they weren't legal in the first place so deserved to be dislodged!

DMerciful:
Only 2 military coup happened Nigeria!

The Nzeogwu 1996 coup that overthrew Balewa-Zik govt and Buhari coup that overthrew Shagari's govt.

These were democratically elected govts, others were illegitimate military govts so they weren't legal in the first place so deserved to be dislodged!

Was Shagari democratically elected? It was army arrangement, no agreement today, no agreement tomorrow.

DMerciful:
Only 2 military coup happened Nigeria!
[b]
The Nzeogwu 1996 coup that overthrew Balewa-Zik govt and Buhari coup that overthrew Shagari's govt.

These were democratically elected govts, others were illegitimate military govts so they weren't legal in the first place so deserved to be dislodged!

The January 1966 Coup

The January 1966 Nigeria military coup began on January 15th, 1966.

It started when some Nigerian soldiers led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna killed 22 persons.

The persons killed included the Prime Minister, several senior politicians, senior army officers, and their wives, and sentinels on protective duty.

The coup plotters attacked Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos and blockaded the Niger and Benue River within 48 hours before the plotters were subdued.

Following the coup, Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army, took charge of the country.

This put democracy in Nigeria on hold.

The casualties of the coup included the country’s Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Samuel Akintola, the finance minister, the Premier of the Western Region, Festus Okotie-Eboh and many others.

This singular action destroyed The Nigeria foundation left by the fleeing British, igbos can be accused as the destructors Of Nigeria, they brought the irresponsible, young Military into power.

Shagari was not democratically elected in 1979 and re-elected 1983?

blacknp:
Was Shagari democratically elected? It was army arrangement, no agreement today, no agreement tomorrow.

DMerciful:
Shagari was not democratically elected in 1979 and re-elected 1983?

Shehu Shagari defeat Obafemi Awolowo, & Nnamdi Azikiwe in a General Election? Go and check who the Minister of Finance from 1971 to 1975 was, army arrangement, Useless selfish General Obasanjo from the south of Nigeria, refused to hand over to qualified people from the south, he chose a Northerner in the person of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, same thing he did with Yaradua, knew the man was not healthy, but still went ahead to select him & a clueless deputy Governor Ebele Jonathan?

taylorpositive:
This article covers the military coups in Nigeria right from the first one to the last military coup the country experienced. It also highlights their causes and everything you need to know about Nigeria’s coup d’etat since the country gained independence.

Sit back and enjoy the read.


Military Coups in Nigeria – An Introduction

Nigeria, as a country, has experienced several military coups since the country got her independence in 1960.

There have been both successful and unsuccessful military coups in Nigeria, but one thing is sure – these coups have helped chart the course of the country.

With the rise in corruption and other factors post-independence, it sometimes became crucial for the military to take over power and restore sanity.

However, what began as an emergency intervention soon became a permanent feature in the Nigeria political atmosphere.

Between 1966 and 1999, the Nigerian army held power in the county without interruption, except from a short-lived return to democracy between the years 1979 and 1983.

This fact shows how deep coup d’etats are a part of the history of Nigeria post-independence.
What is a Military Coup?

A military coup is a situation when the military violently or non-violently overthrows an existing political regime. It also goes by the terms, ‘ousting,’ ‘overthrow,’ ‘putsch,’ or ‘takeover.’

No matter the term it bears, it’s typically illegal, and unconstitutional and involves the seizure of power by the military, political faction or a dictator.

A coup is successful when the coup organizers seize and hold power for at least seven days and a coup in the works or unsuccessful coup is term a ‘coup attempt’.


Causes of Military Coups in Nigeria

Military coups in Nigeria link to various factors revolving around one word – corruption.

Following independence, Nigeria had democratically elected leaders; however, with the rise in corruption, the military stepped in to set things straight, thus the first military coup in Nigeria.

After that, there were a series of military coups leading the country to where it is today.

Comprehensively, the top reasons for military intervention in Nigeria include;

Socio-economic Underdevelopment
Corruption and Political Underdevelopment
The Centrality of the Military
Conflict Based on Societal Issues
Ethnic and Regional Differences

Top Reasons for Military Intervention in Nigeria

Socio-economic Underdevelopment

This reason suggests that military intervention sometimes happens because of disbelief in the socio-economic development of the country.

Countries that are socially and economically stable are less prone to military coups and any country having instabilities in socioeconomics is likely to experience one.

Military interventions often happen in countries with low-income status, with the military trying to seize power and take situations back to normal.


Corruption and Political Underdevelopment

Political underdevelopment and crises is another reason the military might intervene. This is a common cause of a military coup, and the coup is often to eliminate the corruption and crises from the political sector.

These political crises and corruption weakens the government and increases the chances of a military coup happening.



The Centrality of the Government

This cause of military coup is based on the amount of power the military has in a country. This theorizes that the greater the power and resources the military have, the greater the chances of a military coup.

A weak government may provoke strong military forces to take over the rule of the country.
Societal Conflict

Conflicts about societal issues can be a prevalent cause of a military coup. These conflicts may include ethnic and religious issues. This is typical because Nigeria has several tribes and three major religions.

When these ethnic and religious conflicts are not controlled, it can lead to military intervention.



Regional Differences

Nigeria has several tribes and geopolitical zones with different regional and ethnic differences. These differences may lead to political instabilities and lead to military coups if not handled well.

This is why the government must provide ways to foster peaceful interrelationship and coexistence between the different regions in Nigeria.



Military Coups in Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced several military coups since independence in 1960. Some of this coup d’etat include;

The January 1966 Coup
The July 1966 Coup
The 1975 Coup
The 1976 Coup
The 1983 Coup
The August 1985 Coup
The December 1985 Alleged Vatsa Coup
The 1990 Coup
The 1993 Coup


The January 1966 Coup

The January 1966 Nigeria military coup began on January 15th, 1966.

It started when some Nigerian soldiers led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and Emmanuel Ifeajuna killed 22 persons.

The persons killed included the Prime Minister, several senior politicians, senior army officers, and their wives, and sentinels on protective duty.

The coup plotters attacked Ibadan, Kaduna and Lagos and blockaded the Niger and Benue River within 48 hours before the plotters were subdued.

Following the coup, Johnson Aguiyi Ironsi, the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army, took charge of the country.

This put democracy in Nigeria on hold.

The casualties of the coup included the country’s Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Samuel Akintola, the finance minister, the Premier of the Western Region, Festus Okotie-Eboh and many others.



The July 1966 Coup

Read more here https://informationtoknow.com/military-coups-in-nigeria/

FOR


Other Coups in Nigeria and their details
The Impact of Military Rule in Nigeria
Characteristics of Military Rule in Nigeria
The Structure of Military Rule in Nigeria
Achievements and Failures/Weaknesses of Military Rule in Nigeria.
Achievements of Military Rule in Nigeria
The failures and weaknesses of military rule in Nigeria
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Military Coups in Nigeria
and More


https://informationtoknow.com/military-coups-in-nigeria/

Is better not to write at all than given half baked information's, complete your story or delete it

I nor understand you o....obj go just handover to a southerner without election?

blacknp:
Shehu Shagari defeat Obafemi Awolowo, & Nnamdi Azikiwe in a General Election? Go and check who the Minister of Finance from 1971 to 1975 was, army arrangement, Useless selfish General Obasanjo from the south of Nigeria, refused to hand over to qualified people from the south, he chose a Northerner in the person of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, same thing he did with Yaradua, knew the man was not healthy, but still went ahead to select him & a clueless deputy Governor Ebele Jonathan?