Birthday: Ibrahim Babangida Turns 82 Today!

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida GCFR (born 17 August 1941) popularly known as IBB; nicknamed, "Maradona" or "The Evil Genius", is a retired Nigerian Army general who ruled the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 27 August 1985 until his resignation in August 1993. He served as Chairman of the Armed Forces Ruling Council from 1985 to 1993 and Chief of Army Staff from 1984 to 1985; going on to orchestrate his seizure of power in a palace coup d'ètat against Muhammadu Buhari. He rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army fighting in the Nigerian Civil War and at various times being involved in all the military coups in Nigeria, before advancing to the full-rank of a General and ultimately as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; and as an unelected President and military strongman from 1985 to 1993, ruling for an uninterrupted period of eight years. His years in power, colloquially known as the Babangida Era, are considered one of the most controversial in the military history of the country, and characterized by a burgeoning political culture of corruption in Nigeria, with Babangida and his regime estimated at least 12 billion dollars (23.9 billion today).

The Babangida government oversaw the establishment of a state security apparatus; survived two coup d'ètat attempts and the subsequent execution of Mamman Vatsa (1985) and Gideon Orkar (1991) alongside the trial of hundreds of soldiers; assassination in Lagos of Dele Giwa (1986). The regime also faced a series of ethnic and religious outbreaks related to the fallout of Babangida's decision to increase cooperation with the Muslim world and rise in extremist tendencies. On the continent his rule projected the country as a regional power with diplomatic successes including the Abuja Treaty and the military engagement of Nigerian troops in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Abroad, Babangida's military government cemented traditional relations with the English-speaking world of the United States and United Kingdom; and implemented economic liberalization and the privatization of state-owned enterprises alongside a national mass mobilization. The fall of Babangida and his regime was precipitated by the transition towards the Third Nigerian Republic and subsequent militarization of politics in the 1993 presidential election which Babangida annulled.

Early life

Ibrahim Babangida was born on 17 August 1941 in Minna to his father, Muhammad Babangida and mother Aisha Babangida. He received early Islamic education before attending primary school from 1950 to 1956. From 1957 to 1962 Babangida attended Government College Bida, together with classmates Abdulsalami Abubakar, Mamman Vatsa, Mohammed Magoro, Sani Bello, Garba Duba, Gado Nasko and Mohammed Sani Sami. Babangida joined the Nigerian Army on 10 December 1962, where he attended the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna.

Dictatorship

Babangida ruling by decree promulgated his official title as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and placed Muhammadu Buhari under house arrest in Benin until 1988. He established the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) as the highest lawmaking council serving as Chairman; he also restructured the national security apparatus, tasking General Aliyu Gusau as Co-ordinator of National Security directly reporting to him in the president's office he created the: State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).

Family

Babangida was married to Maryam Babangida from 1969 until her death in 2009. They had four children together; Aisha, Muhammad, Aminu, and Halima. On 27 December 2009, Maryam Babangida died from complications of ovarian cancer.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Babangida

Happy birthday to a great man, llnp
I love how he respected his late wife by refusing to remarry just to honour her.
If it's some men they'll immediately fill the home with different kind of women.

In this present Nigeria 🇳🇬?




Mr Babangida I don't have anything good to say about you today, just reminisce about your past

Wow

Hmmmm, The Maradonna himself..


Happy Birthday IBB. I wished you all the best you ever wished for Nigeria

One of Nigeria's greatest leaders. If not the greatest of them all.

Theunbothered, Ayo2004. IBB was criticized by so many like you but when ever he gives his critics an opportunity to serve and prove their words, they fail woefully.

A very good example is Prof. Taye Solarin. He couldn't even manage a ordinary bank meant for the masses, PEOPLE'S BANK. An advocate for the well being of the poor failed Babangida's test.

What about Wole Soyinka? and lots more.

Most people who criticize our leaders will fail woefully when given a minute portion to manage.

Lol.. but some people will alway look for who to blame for their inefficiency. Babangida is not the reason you are living a miserable life.

Point to one infrastructure today that Babangida is not a part of it. Is it Abuja? Third mainland bridge? I can go on and on. Babangida is the one that practically built Nigeria infastructurally, and institutionally.

Till date, the election he conducted is still the best of them all. Food for thought.

Happy Birthday sir.

That his quote on Ronu people remains evergreen in my memory.

...let me reserve my comment.

This man is part of the problem of Nigeria as at august 17th 2023

He should have allowed Abiola rule... Who knows maybe Nigeria would have been London by now.... Very selfish man

Hbd, sir.

Judolisco:
He should have allowed Abiola rule... Who knows maybe Nigeria would have been London by now.... Very selfish man

Same thing they told us of Agbado.

Cool

He dey celebrate birthday,with all d souls he don kill..n many things he don ruin for dis country..me no wish bad government hbd..wish urself n let ur conscience fight u

Happy Birthday to General Ibrahim Babangida ... Wishing you many more beautiful years on this earth ....

Those criticizing are now seeing the seat is hot ...

christejames:
In this present Nigeria ?




Mr Babangida I don't have anything good to say about you today, just reminisce about your past

He once saved Nigeria from Buhari

Hbd to him

This man, buhari, obasanjo among few are the people that brought this country to it's knee

Ironically, the wicked are having peace and tranquility.. it's we innocent that's being denied of that 🥺😭

Congratulations and happy birthday IBB.
Between IBB and Bat, who is older?

Zxcvbnmghtr:
One of Nigeria's greatest leader. If not the greatest of them all.

This malnourished entity doesn't understand the bastard named Babangida is part of the reason your shithole country is so poor.

The nightmare of adisa and diya I greet you the great ibb may you live long ,but you draw us backward during your regime make I just congratulate you

Happy birthday maradona

Happy birthday. The SMARTEST president the country ever had

Happy birthday to the peoples general.

The best military leader of modern Nigeria.
82 is just the beginning, your enemies will see you celebrate 100 years.

Those who hated you for annulling a lopsided election are not supporting the most fraudulent one.

Age gracefully my general.

Unhappy birthday to him please

Ok

A disruptive leader...visionary...fearless...the original Godfather....Live long and prosper more Baba Muhammed...The General