Babangida, Ibrahim (1941– )

Nigerian politician and soldier, president 1985–93. He became head of the Nigerian army in 1983, and in 1985 led a coup against President Muhammadu Buhari, assuming the presidency himself. From 1992 he promised a return to civilian rule but resigned in 1993, his commitment to democracy increasingly in doubt.

Babangida was born in Minna, Niger state, and trained at military schools in Nigeria and the UK. He became an instructor in the Nigerian Defence Academy and by 1983 had reached the rank of major general. In 1983, after taking part in the overthrow of President Shehu Shagari, he was made army commander-in-chief. Responding to public pressure in 1989, he allowed the formation of competing political parties and promised a return to a democratic civilian government in 1992.

In an attempt to end corruption, he banned anyone who had ever held elective office from being a candidate in the new civilian government. Similarly, applications for recognition from former political parties were also rejected. Having twice blocked the release of presidential election results (once in 1992 and once in 1993) after allegations of fraud, Babangida stepped down in 1993, nominating Ernest Shonekan as his successor.