Third Military Regime in Nigeria 1975-1979: General Murtala Muhammed & General Olusegun – SS2 Nigerian History Lesson Note (Second Term)

The Third Military Regime was the government of Nigeria from July 29, 1975 to October 1, 1979. It was led first by General Murtala Muhammed, and after his assassination in February 1976, by General Olusegun Obasanjo. It fought corruption, created new states, and handed power to an elected civilian government under Shehu Shagari in 1979.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain how the Third Military Regime began in 1975.
2. State the main actions of Murtala Muhammed’s government.
3. Describe how Murtala Muhammed died and who took over.
4. List the main policies and projects of the Obasanjo government.
5. Outline the steps taken to return Nigeria to civilian rule in 1979.
6. Discuss the achievements, challenges, criticisms and legacy of the regime.

How did the Third Military Regime begin?

The Third Military Regime in Nigeria began on July 29, 1975, when General Murtala Muhammed took power from General Yakubu Gowon. Gowon had been Nigeria’s leader since 1966 (during the Civil War). Many Nigerians were unhappy with Gowon because he did not keep his promise to return the country to civilian rule. There were also many complaints about corruption in his government.

General Murtala Muhammed was a popular military officer who had fought in the Nigerian Civil War. When he took power, he made General Olusegun Obasanjo his deputy (second-in-command). This new government promised to fight corruption and return Nigeria to civilian rule quickly.

What did Murtala Muhammed do between July 1975 and February 1976?

Government changes

When Murtala Muhammed took power, he made big changes right away:

• He fired many government workers who were seen as corrupt or not doing their jobs well
• He removed all the state governors who had served under Gowon
• He set up a committee to look into corrupt practices
• He created seven new states in Nigeria, making the total number 19
• He announced a plan to move Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja (a more central location)

Fighting corruption

Murtala Muhammed was known for his strong stand against corruption. He:

• Started investigations into the wealth of former government officials
• Took back government property that had been wrongly given to private people
• Made government officials declare their assets (show what they owned)
• Fired over 10,000 public servants for corruption, laziness, or being too old

The plan for return to civilian rule

One of Murtala’s most important actions was announcing a clear plan to return Nigeria to civilian rule. The plan had these steps:

1. Creating more states (which he did)
2. Setting up a committee to write a new constitution
3. Holding local government elections
4. Holding state elections
5. Holding national elections
6. Handing over power to civilians by October 1, 1979

Foreign policy

Murtala also made Nigeria’s voice stronger in world affairs:

• He spoke strongly against apartheid (racial separation) in South Africa
• He supported freedom fighters in Angola
• He made Nigeria a leader in African affairs

The assassination of Murtala Muhammed

Murtala Muhammed was killed on February 13, 1976, in a failed coup attempt. His car was attacked in Lagos traffic. The coup was led by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Suka Dimka, but it failed because most of the military stayed loyal to the government. After Murtala’s death, his deputy, General Olusegun Obasanjo, became the new Head of State.

What did the Obasanjo government do between February 1976 and October 1979?

Continuing Murtala’s policies

When General Obasanjo took over, he promised to continue the policies started by Murtala Muhammed. He kept the same team of officers and maintained the plan to return to civilian rule. He often referred to the government as the “Murtala/Obasanjo administration” to show respect for the late leader.

Economic reforms

Obasanjo faced economic challenges during his time as leader:

• He started the “Operation Feed the Nation” programme to increase food production
• He created the Land Use Act of 1978, which changed how land ownership worked in Nigeria
• He built new oil refineries to process Nigeria’s oil locally
• He continued the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which Gowon’s government had started in 1973, to promote unity among young Nigerians

Education and culture

The Obasanjo government made important changes in education and culture:

• Universal Primary Education was introduced to give all children free primary education
• New universities were established across the country
• The Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) was held in 1977, bringing artists from African countries and the black diaspora to Nigeria

Infrastructure development

This period saw many development projects:

• New roads, bridges, and highways were built across the country
• The plans for building the new capital city of Abuja moved forward
• Airports were upgraded in major cities
• New seaports were developed

The return to civilian rule

Obasanjo followed the transition plan that Murtala had set out:

• A Constitutional Drafting Committee created a new constitution
• The ban on political activities was lifted in September 1978
• Five political parties were allowed to register
• Elections were held at local, state, and federal levels
• On October 1, 1979, Obasanjo handed over power to the elected civilian president, Alhaji Shehu Shagari

What were the achievements of the Third Military Regime?

Political achievements

• Successfully returned Nigeria to civilian rule
• Created more states, which helped give more groups representation
• Started the move of the capital from Lagos to Abuja
• Made the government less corrupt
• Strengthened Nigeria’s position in African and world affairs

Economic achievements

• Used oil money to start many development projects
• Built new refineries and factories
• Expanded roads and other infrastructure
• Started programmes to increase food production
• Created the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

Social achievements

• Improved education access through Universal Primary Education
• Continued the National Youth Service Corps
• Celebrated Nigerian and African culture through FESTAC
• Created jobs through new development projects
• Reduced corruption in public service

What challenges and criticisms did the regime face?

Challenges faced

• The sudden death of Murtala Muhammed was a big setback
• Oil prices were unstable, affecting government income
• There were still tribal and regional tensions
• The military had to be convinced to return to the barracks
• The new democratic system needed time to develop

Criticisms

• Some people felt the military rule, even if reformed, was still not democratic
• The quick firing of many civil servants caused hardship for many families
• Some economic policies increased Nigeria’s debt
• The transition to democracy may have been too rushed
• Military habits still influenced the new civilian government

What was the legacy of the Third Military Regime?

The Third Military Regime under Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo is often seen as one of the better periods of military rule in Nigeria. Its main legacy was:

• Showing that the military could voluntarily give up power
• Setting up systems to fight corruption
• Strengthening Nigeria’s voice in international affairs
• Using oil wealth for development projects
• Creating a path to democracy that was followed through

Many Nigerians still remember Murtala Muhammed as a hero who might have transformed Nigeria if he had lived longer. Obasanjo later returned as Nigeria’s civilian president from 1999 to 2007, after Nigeria returned to democracy following more periods of military rule.

Evaluation

1. Why were many Nigerians unhappy with General Yakubu Gowon in 1975?
2. State four actions taken by Murtala Muhammed to fight corruption.
3. List the steps in the plan to return Nigeria to civilian rule.
4. Who led the coup in which Murtala Muhammed was killed, and why did it fail?
5. Name four policies or projects of the Obasanjo government.

Assignment

1. Explain three achievements of the Third Military Regime.
2. Describe two criticisms of the regime.