Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was born in Minna, the capital of Niger State on August 17, 1941. He served as Nigeria’s military president from August 27, 1985, to August 26, 1993. Babangida’s pragmatic decisions, charismatic style, humility, and simplicity had drawn many to him and portrayed him as a servant instead of a ruler. He had demonstrated dynamic statesmanship to the admiration of most Nigerians. His leadership style was exemplary with so much to be learnt from.
As the captain of the great ship for eight years, he did not fear the storms nor bow to the overturning power of the waves. He steered the ship with courage and vision and directed the crew with alacrity: he allayed fears, restored confidence and hope, and carried the passengers to safety in treacherous times.
Nigeria, under his dynamic statesmanship, broke from the puppet leadership of the past which seemed passive, helpless, or impotent when decisive and incisive actions were needed. In addition to his respect for the rule of law, General Babangida guarded, respected, and protected the Constitution of Nigeria. In his efforts to achieve the policies, objectives, and programmes of his administration, President Babangida invited the best hands and brains to join him in the task of rebuilding the nation politically, economically, socially, and morally. He did not hesitate to drop any appointee who performed below expectations.
A general appraisal of the performance of the Babangida administration in its eight years in power (August 27, 1985 – August 26, 1993) showed a strong commitment, determination, and zeal on the part of the leadership to succeed. According to General Babangida in his interview with Giant Strides, the major challenge facing the administration was:
“to be able to harness our considerable human and material resources for the evolution of a united Nigerian nation, the development of a viable political system, and the transformation of the country into an industrial and economic power.
In all that we do, we are guided by the fundamental principles of state Policy and Fundamental Human Rights as provided in chapters
II and IV of the 1979 Constitution. We have faced these challenges with courage and optimism”.
During the tenure of the administration, there was substantial development in infrastructures, completion and commissioning of abandoned projects, and provision of social amenities never seen before in Nigeria.
On the economic front, the Babangida administration put policies in place which impacted the lifestyle and orientation of Nigerians. Hone-made goods were no longer debased and castigated. Wastefulness, extravagance, and insatiable lust for expensive, foreign goods had fast given way to maintenance culture and prudence. Many Nigerians came to appreciate the value of hard work and developed the spirit of self-reliance. “We have changed Nigeria” President Babangida had said at that time.
Politically, the eight years of General Babangida’s presidency witnessed a steady march towards a durable democracy founded on sound, strong, and dynamic policies and philosophies. This is in fulfillment of General Babangida’s assertion that: “we have identified our mission in helping to shape the political future of our country.” However, the road to the Third Republic had been bumpy. The democratization process had been very unique because, unlike what was obtained in the past, when power was simply handed over without a solid foundation, the transition programme underwent different stages of evolution, growing with the people and affording them the privilege of learning, understanding and imbibing the culture. From time to time, people made mistakes, corrections, and appropriate adjustments.
This was in line with Babangida’s call for a democratic system in Africa that did not just copy what was obtained in the Western world but which would address the local and peculiar circumstances in Africa. According to him, internal factors and mistakes of the past must be taken into consideration to make the democratic process relevant and successful. In this regard, Nigeria led the way for other African countries yearning for democracy. While some of these countries preferred the national conference, Nigeria adopted the gradual, systematic approach, with in-built adjustment mechanisms.
However, it had not been all stories of success. The Babangida administration had to face a few crises, including the political impasse. But what had been very remarkable about the General was the ways and manners in which he handled the crises. His greatest tools were dialogue, consultations, openness, and compromise. No view, opinion, or suggestion was disregarded, disrespected, or ignored.
The Babangida administration had to face two coup attempts, which collapsed immediately as they lacked popular support. The masses took to the streets in support of and in solidarity with General Babangida. They displayed placards, sang solidarity songs, and denounced the plotters as enemies of progress. Thus, Nigeria had always emerged out of each crisis very strong, with greater resolve for unity and peaceful co-existence. The rallying point had always been the dynamic leadership qualities, courage, pragmatism, and public confidence in the General.
The performance of his administration had been appreciated by communities across the country. This has earned General Babangida numerous chieftaincy titles, honorary degrees, and different kinds of awards. In April 1993 he was conferred with “Grand Redeemer of Local Government in Nigeria by the National Conference of local government chairmen. This was in appreciation of his relentless support for the growth and redemption of the local government.
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