Murtala MUhammed 50 years after: Murtala led a principled, simple life – Dr Ardo
Dr Umar Ardo is the author of the book `Murtala Muhammed: The Architect of Modern Nigeria”. In this interview he spoke about his motivation for writing the book and the leadership style of the late Head of State. He said Murtal represented rupture from the culture of self-interest that had begun to take root in […]
Dr Umar Ardo is the author of the book `Murtala Muhammed: The Architect of Modern Nigeria”. In this interview he spoke about his motivation for writing the book and the leadership style of the late Head of State. He said Murtal represented rupture from the culture of self-interest that had begun to take root in public life.
What motivated you to write a book on late General Murtala Muhammed?
I was motivated by a profound sense of duty to document a rare moment in Nigeria’s history when leadership was driven by truth, moral clarity, patriotism and national purpose rather than personal gain; that power could be exercised selflessly and decisively in the national interest. General Murtala Muhammed represented an extraordinary rupture from the culture of self-interest that had begun to take root in public life. His brief but impactful tenure demonstrated that power could be exercised with integrity, courage and self-sacrifice.
At a time when corruption was becoming normalised, Murtala stood as living proof that leadership by example was not only possible but effective. I wrote the book to preserve this legacy for future generations; to remind Nigerians that principled leadership is not a myth but a lived reality we once experienced.
What distinguished him from other Nigerian leaders who came after him?
What distinguished Murtala Muhammed was not rhetoric, but the consistency between his words, actions and personal life. He lived simply despite holding some of the most powerful offices in the country. He did not tolerate corruption, nor did he surround himself with dubious characters. His famous assertion that “a man is judged by the company he keeps” was not a slogan, it was his governing principle.
Unlike many leaders who came after him, Murtala was decisive yet humble. He listened to advice, corrected his mistakes publicly when necessary and subordinated his personal ambition to national interest. We saw that in July 1966. He was the military leader, along with Majors TY Danjuma and Martin Adamu, of the putsch that overthrew the General Aguyi Ironsi regime. Murtala was effectively in control of the northern military, both the officer corps and the NCOs, and could have very well taken the leadership of the country himself. But he didn’t. He insisted on Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, the most senior northern military officer, to take over the leadership of the country. That was leadership by sacrifice! Most importantly, as Head of State, he governed with a moral urgency borne of patriotism, not political calculation. Murtala exhibited a rare discipline in the use of state resources. Refusing to live a life of excess, Murtala shunned the trappings of power and embraced simplicity. His stance was symbolic but profound: it demonstrated that leadership was not a means to personal enrichment but a sacred trust to serve the people! This principle resonates powerfully today, when many leaders are accused of prioritising personal gain over public welfare.
What would you say are his outstanding achievements?
Murtala Muhammed’s outstanding achievements lie less in the length of his rule and more in the depth of his impact. Murtala Muhammed assumed power in 1975, inheriting a nation struggling under the weight of military rule and political uncertainty. Yet, within his short tenure, he fashioned out a clear political future for Nigeria towards returning the country to democratic rule, moved the capital to Abuja, returned to the Igbos their abandoned property and set standard for probity in public service. He put Nigeria on the path to democracy and undertook a nationwide purge of the public sector, in the military, bureaucracy and traditional institutions. This was not a mere political stunt – it was a genuine attempt to restore trust in governance! He restored public confidence in government by confronting corruption head-on, probing past abuses and reclaiming misappropriated public assets.
Internationally, he redefined Nigeria’s role in Africa. His bold stance against apartheid, colonialism, and external domination repositioned Nigeria as a principled leader of African liberation and unity. His foreign policy was assertive, independent, and unapologetically African-centered – earning Nigeria respect across the continent.
Some people said some of his actions, such as the purge of the civil service, were not well thought out. Do you agree?
I do not agree with that characterization. I need to clarify this issue once and for all. The claim by some revisionists that General Muhammed’s mass purge of corrupt public servants fostered insecurity in the civil service and, consequently, encouraged corruption is both illogical and self-serving. It is the corrupt trying to embellish their corruption as the argument conveniently ignores the context, intent and practice behind the purge: to restore integrity, accountability and public trust in governance after years of systemic corruption. It is important to note that corruption thrives in an environment of impunity, not accountability. Murtala’s decisive actions signaled that corrupt behavior would not be tolerated; and he led by example – a necessary deterrent in a system riddled with unethical practices by the leadership! Also, the suggestion that fear of consequences encouraged corruption defies common sense. Ethical governance demands clear standards of behavior and corresponding penalties for breaches. By this logic, any anti-corruption initiative would be condemned for creating insecurity among the dishonest. Instead, Murtala’s actions sent a powerful message to honest public servants that integrity would be protected and corruption punished! Finally, blaming the purge for subsequent corruption is a disingenuous attempt to absolve later regimes of responsibility. Corruption flourished afterward not because Murtala took action but because subsequent leaders failed to maintain the same level of discipline and probity. Rather than vilify Murtala’s legacy, Nigerians should recognise the purge as a bold attempt to instill the leadership virtues we still need today – patriotism, sacrifice, integrity, responsibility and a culture of zero tolerance for corruption. I need to emphasise that I don’t agree with those who say the civil service reforms are controversial; they were not! The reforms were clearly aimed at restoring discipline, efficiency and ethical standards in public administration. And they did while he was in office. The reforms collapsed because Murtala was killed.
The civil service purge must therefore be understood within its historical context as Nigeria at the time was grappling with institutional decay, indiscipline and entrenched corruption. Murtala acted in good faith, driven by urgency and a sincere desire to clean up the system. Where excesses occurred, they were largely the actions of opportunists and miscreants who exploited the process, not evidence of bad intent at the leadership level. The subsequent backlash is, in many respects, corruption fighting back. Reform is rarely painless, but inaction would have been far more damaging.
Have Nigerian leaders after him betrayed his thoughts and commitment to Nigeria?
Regrettably, many have. While a few leaders attempted, however imperfectly, to emulate his principles, the dominant trend since his death has been a departure from his ethos of sacrifice, discipline and national service. That is why today corruption has become systemic, public trust eroded and governance increasingly serving private rather than collective interests. In consequence, today Nigeria is experiencing a severe trust deficit between its leaders and citizens. Corruption scandals dominate the news cycle, exposing the rot in public institutions and further alienating the populace. Nepotism – where appointments and other forms of public service are based not on merit but on ethnic, regional or familial ties – continues to erode public confidence. Dishonesty in governance, manifest in broken promises and opaque dealings, fuels widespread apathy and resentment.
The effects of this collapse of trust are devastating. Poverty and unemployment are rampant, insecurity persists and public services are in ruins. With no trust in the state’s ability to govern equitably, citizens now seek alternative or extra-legal means of survival. This fosters a vicious cycle of underdevelopment, social conflict and susceptibility to manipulation by both internal and external forces. This betrayal is not merely of Murtala as a person, but of the values he embodied – values of patriotism, honesty, accountability, fairness and justice. The cost of this abandonment is evident in Nigeria’s enduring struggles with legitimacy, cohesion and development.
Do you think Nigeria can produce another Murtala?
Yes, Nigeria can, but only if we deliberately choose to. Leaders like Murtala Muhammed do not emerge by accident; they are products of values, institutions and national expectations. To reproduce Murtala Muhammed, transparency and honesty must become the hallmarks of governance. Trust cannot be built on deception. Leaders must communicate openly with citizens, share the realities of the nation’s challenges and offer clear, achievable plans for progress. Failure to return to these virtues will only perpetuate bad leadership and Nigeria’s suffering. Corruption and incompetence will continue to drain resources meant for development, while nepotism and dishonesty will deepen divisions among the populace. This will leave the country vulnerable to exploitation by both local power blocs and foreign interests, who will thrive in a weakened and divided Nigeria. General Murtala Muhammed’s life and leadership serve as a powerful reminder that good governance is possible in Nigeria. His assassination may have cut short his time in office, but it did not extinguish his ideals. As we mark the 50th anniversary of his passing, let us honour his memory by demanding and embodying the virtues of patriotism, sacrifice, accountability and selflessness. If Nigeria rewards integrity, demands accountability and celebrates sacrifice over wealth, another Murtala can arise. The tragedy is not that such leaders are impossible, but that the system often discourages them. But till then I can only pray that may Allah (SWA) restore the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed and may it inspire us in creating new leaders for our country. And may we, as Nigerians, rise to the challenge of building the nation he envisioned – a strong, united and virile nation rooted in justice, fairness and good governance! Remembering Murtala at fifty years is therefore not an act of nostalgia; it is a challenge to our collective conscience! As we plan the election of our leaders in 2027, his life asks us a simple but uncomfortable question: Do we still believe Nigeria deserves leaders who serve rather than rule? If yes, then we need to look out for leaders like Murtala to elect!