Famous Nigerian Military Leaders

This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

Olusegun Obasanjo

(Former President of Nigeria)

Birthdate: March 5, 1937

Sun Sign: Pisces

Birthplace: Abeokuta, British Nigeria

Initially a teacher, Olusegun Obasanjo had joined the army as he could not afford college. The People’s Democratic Party leader became the military ruler of Nigeria in 1976 but later handed over his powers to a democratic government. He also became the president 2 decades later.

Sani Abacha

(Nigerian General Who Ruled as the 10th Head of State of Nigeria)

Birthdate: September 20, 1943

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Kano, Nigeria

Died: June 8, 1998

Sani Abacha was a Nigerian general best remembered for his rule as the tenth Head of State of Nigeria from 17 November 1993 until his death on 8 June 1998. An influential military leader, Sani Abacha also served as the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and Chief of Army Staff between 1985 and 1993.

Muhammadu Buhari

(7th and 15th President of Nigeria)

Birthdate: December 17, 1942

Sun Sign: Sagittarius

Birthplace: Daura, Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari is a Nigerian politician and the current president of Nigeria. Since becoming the president, Buhari has introduced many social welfare programs that address unemployment and poverty. The programs were mainly introduced to help increase economic development in the country.

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C. Odumegwu Ojukwu

(Nigerian Military Leader and Politician Who Ruled as the 1st president of Biafra)

Birthdate: November 4, 1933

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Birthplace: Zungeru, Nigeria

Died: November 26, 2011

An Oxford graduate, Nigerian military leader and politician C. Odumegwu Ojukwu started his career as an administrative officer. He later reigned at the governor of the Eastern Region in Nigeria and became the 1st president of Biafra. He won many accolades, including the honorary title of the Ikemba of Nnewi.

Allison Madueke

(Former Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff Who Also the Military Governor of Anambra and Imo)

Birthdate: 1944 AD

Birthplace: Oji River, Nigeria

Former Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff Allison Amaechina Madueke was fired after he supported the release of democratically elected civilian president Moshood Abiola who was imprisoned after General Sani Abacha’s coup. Post-retirement, he served on the boards of enterprises such as Regalia Nigeria Ltd. and Excel E & P.

Joseph Nanven Garba

(Nigerian Major General and Politician Who Became President of the United Nations General Assembly)

Birthdate: July 17, 1943

Sun Sign: Cancer

Birthplace: Langtang, Nigeria

Died: June 1, 2002

Nigerian Major General Joseph Nanven Garba gained national attention after announcing the 1975 Nigerian coup d'état on Radio Nigeria that resulted in overthrow of Yakubu Gowon as Head of State. Garba then served as Nigeria's foreign minister. Other significant offices held by him include that of Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and President of the United Nations General Assembly.

Suraj Abdurrahman

(Nigerian Major General Who Became Command Officer in Charge of the Armed Forces of Liberia)

Birthdate: September 9, 1954

Sun Sign: Virgo

Birthplace: Kaduna, Nigeria

Died: January 28, 2015

Nigerian Major General Suraj Alao Abdurrahman CON is noted for his service as the Command Officer in Charge of the Armed Forces of Liberia, under Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. During his military career, Abdurrahman held several commands, instructor and staff positions, locally as well as internationally, including serving as the Chief of Policy and Plans for the Nigerian Army.