Abdulsalami Abubakar

**Abdulsalami Abubakar: Biography of a Nigerian Statesman** Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (born June 13, 1942) is a retired Nigerian Army general who served as the de facto President and Head of State of Nigeria from June 9, 1998, until May 29, 1999. His tenure was pivotal in Nigeria’s transition from military rule to the Fourth Nigerian Republic, marking one of the shortest and most significant periods in the country's political history. **Early Life and Education** Abdulsalami Abubakar was born in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. He received his early education at the Native Authority Primary School in Minna, followed by the Government College, Bida, where he graduated in 1964. Driven by a career in the armed forces, he enrolled in the Kaduna Technical College. His foundational military training took place at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he was part of the Course 3 Regular intake, graduating in 1967. He subsequently attended various advanced military courses abroad, including the United States Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia, and the National Defence College, India. **Military Career Progression** Abubakar’s military career spanned over three decades, during which he held numerous command and staff positions. Following the Nigerian Civil War, he rose through the ranks, demonstrating discipline and competence. Key roles in his ascent included serving as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division, and later as the Chief of Defence Intelligence. In 1993, he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff, the highest military position in the Nigerian Armed Forces, under General Sani Abacha’s regime. He remained in this critical position until General Abacha’s sudden death in June 1998. **Head of State and Major Achievements** Following the death of General Abacha, Abubakar was sworn in as the 11th Head of State of Nigeria on June 9, 1998. Inheriting a country fraught with political tension and international isolation, his primary mandate became the establishment of a credible civilian government. His major achievement was spearheading the transition program that led to the end of military rule. Within a month of taking power, he announced a timetable for the return to democratic civilian rule, lifting the ban on political activities and releasing political prisoners, including the internationally recognized winner of the 1993 election, Chief M.K.O Abiola (who sadly died shortly after his release). Abubakar successfully oversaw the constitutional review process and the subsequent general elections held in early 1999. On May 29, 1999, he officially handed over power to the newly elected civilian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, a historic event that ushered in Nigeria’s longest democratic stretch. **Post-Military Career and Current Status** After retiring from the military, General Abubakar transitioned into an elder statesman role, focusing on diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts across Africa. He has been significantly involved in international initiatives, often participating as a special envoy for the United Nations and the African Union in conflict resolution across the continent. He is a prominent member of The National Peace Committee, which works to ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria. Currently, General Abdulsalami Abubakar remains active in humanitarian and governance affairs, residing in Minna, Niger State. He is widely respected for his role in restoring democracy to Nigeria.