The not-so-quiet lives of Nigeria’s past leaders

Nigeria has had 14 heads of government since 1960 when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the prime minister, and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe became president under a parliamentary system of government in 1963. Of these, only five: General Yakubu Gowon; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo;  General Muhammadu Buhari; General Ibrahim Babangida; General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan […]

Nigeria has had 14 heads of government since 1960 when Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa became the prime minister, and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe became president under a parliamentary system of government in 1963.

Of these, only five: General Yakubu Gowon; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo;  General Muhammadu Buhari; General Ibrahim Babangida; General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan are still alive.

At 90, General Gowon is the oldest, followed by Obasanjo, 88; Babangida 83; Buhari 82 and Abdulsalami 82, while Jonathan at 67 is the youngest.

Out of the four, only Jonathan is from a non-military background as all the other four, including Obasanjo and Buhari, who later became president in the democratic dispensation not only have military backgrounds but were once military heads of state.

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Weekend Trust observed that each of them has adopted a peculiar lifestyle while in retirement and has remained active politically though with different levels of commitment.

Obasanjo and Babangida have remained the most politically active so far, with their views being sought, locally and internationally on political developments in the country.

Obasanjo, with his penchant for criticising government policies and offering suggestions through his letters, could be said to be the most politically active, while Abdulsalami, who prefers to operate on the quiet side through his headship of the peace commission to ensure that elections are devoid of violence, has also been a significant figure in the political scene.

So far, Jonathan and Buhari are the only ones among them associated with political parties since Obasanjo tore his membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Babangida withdrew from the race for the PDP presidential ticket in 2011.

Jonathan has not left partisan politics as he is still a member of the PDP and is compelled to come out from time to time to air his political views, while Buhari, who is fresh in retirement, is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

For General Gowon, every of his public outing attracts reminiscences of the Nigerian civil war; hence he has been careful about his public comments.

He was unusually quite vocal when he celebrated his 90th birthday in October last year.

Some of the former leaders have set up initiatives through foundations to contribute to humanity, address certain ills and challenges, while some have built libraries to enhance studies and researches.

 

Gowon (1966 – 1975)

Since the overthrow of Yakubu Gowon as military head of state in 1975, the retired General has become very reserved and is now more of a nationalist engaging in national and international activities.

Gowon hails from Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A close family source said the former head of state visits Plateau from time to time, sometimes on official purposes and other times, personal. He is actively engaged in peace building efforts across the country, which includes organising prayer sessions for the country.

“In 2001 and 2002, I remember he came to Jos during the heat of the crisis to preach peace. He was marching from street to street and even crying in places like Tudun-Wada when youths were burning tyres. He was asking them why they were destroying the state. 

“There was also a time when civil servants went on strike and he rushed to the state. He met the then governor, Jonah Jang, who promised to address the issues,” the source said.

Gowon has never engaged in the political process, but he is an active member of the Council of State, which he attends to offer advice on issues affecting the country.

He has, through the Yakubu Gowon Centre, engaged in initiatives to halt the spread of cholera and other diseases. Gowon used to play golf, but it was gathered that he has not been doing that actively in the past five years.

Weekend Trust gathered that he currently resides in Abuja with his wife.

 

IBB (1985-1993)

On August 17, 2025, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) will turn 84. With age, his influence and mystique seem to deepen.

Those close to him describe him as exceptionally kind and tolerant – so much so that some consider these traits his weaknesses. He listens intently, rarely speaks down to anyone and almost never assigns blame.

A close confidant who preferred anonymity revealed that despite his age, the former military president remains a daily host to visitors, including politicians seeking guidance or financial assistance.

“Despite his age, people troop to his house daily and he receives them. Some come for financial assistance while others seek guidance and counselling, especially politicians. He comes down every day to attend to visitors on the ground floor.

“It may also surprise you that despite his age, General Babangida reads a lot. Every day, newspapers are brought to him; he is also constant on the internet, keeping himself updated with happenings in the country,” he said.

 Although he is not directly involved in farming, IBB has business partnerships managed by his children.

During his 83rd birthday in 2024, Babangida told Analyst Magazine that the legacy he wished to be remembered for is simple: “I served.”

His associates told Weekend Trust that the only visible sign of his advancing age is his reliance on a wheelchair, likely due to lingering effects of the shrapnel embedded in his body since 1969 during the Nigerian civil war.

IBB sustained the injury while leading Nigerian troops in a fierce battle at Izuakoli on the way to Umuahia. Even then, his spirit remained unshaken. Given time off to recover, he used the opportunity to marry his wife, the late Maryam Babangida, before promptly returning to the frontlines

Nearly 16 years after her passing, General Babangida has not remarried, choosing instead to enjoy life in the company of his children and close associates, Weekend Trust gathered.

Asked by Analyst Magazine in 2024 how he felt about his current physical limitations, his response was resolute: “Nothing! With the social media and the internet, I can go wherever I want.”

 

Abdulsalami (1998-1999)

Unlike IBB, who largely entrusts his business affairs to his children, another former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar remains actively involved in managing his businesses, including Maizube Farms at Sabon-Daga and Immurat Rubber Company at Tudun-Fulani.

Maizube Farms is known as a major supplier of dairy products, especially yogurt, to supermarkets and retailers in Minna. The farm was previously involved in bottled water production, but its products have not been seen in the market for a while.

Beyond business, Abdulsalami dedicates much of his time to peace and conflict resolution, both in Nigeria and across Africa.

“Since he left office as military head of state, General Abdulsalami has been actively involved in peace and conflict resolution. He has led delegations for the federal government and the African Union on peace missions across Africa.

“He also started a rubber company, Immurat. But with age, he doesn’t travel as frequently as he used to,” a source told Weekend Trust.

 

Obasanjo (1976-1979), (1999-2007)

Like the saying that “old soldiers never die, they simply fade away,” former President Obasanjo, despite stepping down from power as a democratically elected president in 2007, has remained a force to reckon with.

At the age of 77 in 2014, Obasanjo enrolled as a student at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Lagos. He returned to the classroom for a higher degree in Christian Theology.

Having obtained a postgraduate diploma in 2009, the Owu-born high chief began working towards a doctorate degree, beginning first with master’s.

The NOUN was initially established in 1983 but was suspended by the then military government in 1984. Obasanjo resuscitated it in 2001.

In November 2006, a few months to the end of his eight-year tenure, the then president enrolled for a postgraduate diploma in Christian Theology at the university. He graduated in January 2009.

Between 2014 and 2018, Obasanjo completed his master’s and doctorate degrees at the NOUN.

Obasanjo is a member of the Baptist Church. He is also the Asiwaju Onigbagbo (leader of Christians) of Ogun State.

While at home, Obasanjo worships at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King of the OOPL. Obasanjo also built a mosque, just a stone throw from the church within the OOPL.

While marking the 10th anniversary of the church, he explained that his spiritual commitment and the need to fulfill his promise informed the idea of having a church and a mosque in the OOPL.

According to the statement, Obasanjo said those against having religious worship centres at the OOPL had been disappointed by the growing and flourishing status of the sacred places.

He said, “It is part of my promise to God to have a worship centre to propagate the gospel of Christ.

“The positive growing development 10 years after the creation of this church is tremendous and awesome.

“At the beginning, some people were against it, but by now, they must have been disappointed.

“The same thing applies to the mosque for our Muslim brothers and sisters. I understand that people from far and near do come to worship there too. This is gratifying to note.”

Although he has repeatedly said that he has quit active politics, his penthouse residence inside the OOPL has turned into a Mecca of sorts where politicians throng for consultation and political scheming.

Except when he is away from his home in Abeokuta, no day passes by without him playing host to a prominent political figure, Weekend Trust gathered. 

But most of the visits are done without the involvement of the media, it was further learnt.

In the buildup to the 2023 general elections, all the candidates of the major political parties visited Obasanjo to seek his support, including President Bola Tinubu. However, Obasanjo openly declared his support for the Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi.

Recently, on February 10, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar visited his former boss in Abeokuta, a move believed to be part of consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The former presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party was received by Obasanjo’s ally, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe.

One of the regular visitors now is Obi, and the reason is not far-fetched.

Former governors, Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Donald Duke, were at Obasanjo’s residence in December 2024.

On March 5, his birthday recently offered prominent political and traditional leaders opportunities to visit Obasanjo and rejoice with him.

The Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), is one of his pet projects where he engages and mentors youths across Africa on leadership. The centre also trains youths on digital skills, amongst others.

On his 85th birthday, 85 tricycles were distributed through the Youth Development Centre, with beneficiaries drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Beyond his controversial posture, Obasanjo surely knows how to make fun of every situation, while his propensity to crack jokes is second to none.

While giving a closing remark during his last birthday celebration, Obasanjo sent the gathering wild when he told a story of how his long-time friend and secondary school classmate once stole his groundnut.

The friend in question is a 91-year-old and first class monarch, Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade.

The Ota farmer also dances at social occasions. He was recently seen dancing at the 25th wedding anniversary of the Abuja-based flamboyant pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo and his wife, Modele.

Those close to the former president told our correspondent that he engages regularly in daily exercise, plays ayo olopon (board game) and squash.

Last year, Obasanjo revealed that he played squash three times a week.

“I still play squash three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” Obasanjo said in an interview.

In March 2024, a video of the former president emerged online when he visited the current Abia State governor, Alex Otti in his state.

Obasanjo briefly shook hands with the governor before jumping on a treadmill in the gym. He later held onto the arms of the treadmill, swung his legs for a few times and jumped off onto the ground.

Apart from his penchant for letter writing and lectures on topical issues, both locally and globally, Obasanjo also engages in writing books.

On March 5 when he clocked 88, Obasanjo released two new books. The books are titled, “Lest we forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation” and “Nigeria: Past and the Future.”

The former president noted that the first book focused on the effects of colonialism and slave trade, spanning about two centuries in Africa.

Quoting some speakers at the event, the Ota farmer pushed for what he called decolonisation of names as a way of breaking the shackles of colonialism, hinting that he no longer fancies his name, Matthew.

Speaking further on his second book on Nigeria’s past and future, Obasanjo described himself as an incurable optimist, saying Nigeria would become a great country in his lifetime.

 

Jonathan (2010 – 2019)
As part of his efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure peace in the Africa sub-region, former President Goodluck Jonathan has, since leaving office in 2015, run the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, which he uses as his pet project and for charity.

The former president, who was in office between 2010 to 2015, is also a member of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), a credible platform of eminent personalities in Africa who play mediation and interlocutory roles in addressing electoral and democratic conflicts in West Africa.

The forum, which is an initiative of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, was established in 2021 to serve as a homegrown and non-partisan platform of past heads of state and government in West Africa.

According to the former president’s office, the forum aims to draw on the experience and standing of its members to provide advisory, mediation and conflict resolution support services to the political leaders of the sub-region.

It also works on various democracy promotion, peace and security and governance initiatives in the sub-region.

Its overarching motivation is to work with other stakeholders to limit instability and violence and to advance the integrity of the democratic process.

Weekend Trust also gathered that the WAEF nurtures active collaboration with bodies such as ECOWAS, UNOWAS and other relevant stakeholders in the sub-region.

The communication officer at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Mr Wealth Dickson Ominabo, told Weekend Trust that the pet project/charity activities of the former president are executed through the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

Also, the former president is seen as a political pillar in Bayelsa State. And most leaders in and outside the state run to him for advice.

Jonathan is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform on which he rose to power. He continues to lend his voice to topical political and socio-cultural issues. He is also an active member of the Council of States as he is always seen at the meetings held at the Presidential villa.

 

Buhari (2015-2023)

General Muhammadu Buhari held the position of military head of state between 1983 and 1985 when his regime was sacked by Ibrahim Babangida.

He later contested elections as president from 2003 until 2015 when he succeeded and went on to serve two terms.

On handing over to the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he stated that he would retire to a quiet life, far from the seat of power, which was interpreted to mean that he would not interfere in the current administration.

However, he has played host to some dignitaries, who paid personal visits to him on some occasions.

He initially moved to his hometown of Daura in Katsina State, but has now returned to his former but upgraded residence in Kaduna.

He is known to live a quiet life, though close associates still throng his house to consult on issues.

A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said he consulted the former president before taking the action.

He is still in politics and a member of the APC, which he recently affirmed through a statement by his former spokesperson, Garba Shehu.

Contributions from Dickson S. Adama (Jos), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Peter Moses (Lagos) & Abubakar Akote, Minna