General Murtala Mohammed was a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as the Head of State of Nigeria from July 29, 1975, until his assassination on February 13, 1976. Born on November 8, 1938, in Kano, Nigeria, Murtala grew up in a Fulani family that valued education and Islam. He attended Barewa College in Zaria, a prestigious institution in northern Nigeria that produced many notable Nigerian leaders.

Murtala Mohammed began his military career after enlisting in the Nigerian Army in 1958, receiving training in several countries, including Ghana and the United Kingdom. He quickly rose through the ranks due to his strategic acumen and leadership skills. During the Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War (1967-1970), Murtala played a prominent role in commanding troops, particularly during the successful campaign in the Midwest Region.

In 1975, following dissatisfaction with the administration of General Yakubu Gowon, Mohammed, along with a group of younger military officers, orchestrated a bloodless coup, which led to Gowon’s overthrow. Murtala became Nigeria's Head of State and immediately embarked on a series of bold reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s political and economic landscape. He introduced measures to combat corruption and worked toward reducing the dominance of civil servants in government. His administration sought to revitalize the Nigerian economy by nationalizing key industries, including oil, and de-emphasizing foreign influence in Nigerian affairs.

Murtala Mohammed is remembered for his dynamic and decisive leadership style, which brought an air of urgency to governance. He proposed a relocation of the Nigerian capital from Lagos to Abuja to address the overcrowding in Lagos and better distribute resources across the country. Though his time in power was brief, his legacy is notable for his efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s independence and unity.

On February 13, 1976, Murtala Mohammed was assassinated in a failed coup attempt led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka. His death shocked the nation and led to widespread mourning. He was succeeded by General Olusegun Obasanjo, who continued many of the policies that Murtala had initiated. Murtala Mohammed’s contributions to Nigeria remain significant, and he is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most influential leaders. His face appears on the Nigerian 20 Naira note, and various landmarks, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, are named in his honor.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murtala_Mohammed