Murtala Muhammed

Murtala Muhammed: Biography **Early Life and Education** Murtala Ramat Muhammed was born on November 8, 1938, in Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. His father was Muhammed Riskuwa. He began his education at Gidan Makama primary school in Kano. He later proceeded to Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College, Kano) in 1949 before attending the prestigious Government College (now Barewa College) in Zaria, where he obtained his school certificate in 1957. **Career Progression and Military Service** Murtala Muhammed enlisted in the Nigerian Army. He trained as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom. His early military career saw him serve with the Nigerian Army in Congo. He rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming Brigadier General in 1971, at the age of 33, making him one of the youngest generals in Nigeria's history. Muhammed played a crucial role during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). As General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army's 2nd Division, he led key operations that helped suppress the Biafran secessionist movement. **Major Achievements and Head of State** In July 1975, Murtala Muhammed led a bloodless coup d'état that overthrew General Yakubu Gowon, establishing him as the fourth Head of State of Nigeria. His brief tenure, often referred to as the "Muhammed/Obasanjo regime," was marked by a decisive and radical approach to governance. Key achievements during his time included a significant overhaul of the civil service to combat corruption, the immediate initiation of the process to move the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja, and the creation of seven new states to decentralize political power and promote national integration. He also launched "Operation Feed the Nation," a national program aimed at boosting agricultural output. He set a firm deadline for the transition to democratic civilian rule by October 1979. **Current Status** Murtala Muhammed's promising tenure was tragically cut short when he was assassinated on February 13, 1976, during an attempted coup led by Lt. Colonel Buka Suka Dimka. Despite his short time in office, his legacy remains significant in Nigerian history, and he is widely regarded as a national hero. He is memorialized through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, a key aviation hub for the nation.