Full Name
Abdulsalami Abubakar
Date of Birth
June 13, 1942
Place of Birth
Education
Attended Minna Native Authority Primary School from 1950 to 1956 Received formal military training in the United States Commanded Nigeria’s contingent of United Nations peacekeeping troops in Lebanon in 1981
Spouses Names
Unknown
Children Names
Unknown
Parents Names
Unknown
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
11th Head of State of Nigeria, June 9, 1998 – May 29, 1999 Minister of Defence, June 9, 1998 – May 29, 1999 Chief of Defence Staff, December 21, 1997 – June 9, 1998 United Nations Interim Force, Lebanon, Commanding Officer for the 145 Infantry Battalion (NIBATT II)
Personal Life
General Abdulsalami Abubakar was born on June 13, 1942, in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Details about his childhood, schooling, and parents are not extensively documented in the provided sources. His personal life remains relatively private, and there is limited information available about his family. However, his rise to prominence is largely attributed to his military career, which eventually led to his role in Nigeria’s transition from military to civilian rule.
Career
Abubakar’s career in the Nigerian military saw him rise through the ranks to become the country’s head of state from 1998 to 1999. He assumed the presidency following the death of General Sani Abacha and was responsible for initiating a transition program that led to the handover of power to a democratically elected government. His administration focused on restoring democracy and improving Nigeria’s international standing, as well as introducing economic deregulation policies[5][6][18][19][20].
Achievements
General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s most significant achievement was overseeing Nigeria’s transition from military to civilian rule. He is credited with initiating policies that aimed to address economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and corruption. His foreign policy efforts were directed towards enhancing Nigeria’s image on the international stage and establishing the country as a democratic nation. Additionally, his administration was involved in the reform of the Nigerian economy and the security sector, which included efforts to stabilize the country and restore democratic governance[6][20].
Controversies, Myths, Misconceptions
Abubakar’s tenure as head of state was not without its controversies. His economic policies, which focused on privatization and deregulation, were seen by some as a continuation of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and were criticized for potentially leading to increased poverty and dependence on multinational corporations. The effectiveness and long-term impact of his security sector reforms and military demobilization efforts have also been debated, with some questioning the true extent of their success[6][19][20].
Bibliography
There is no record of General Abdulsalami Abubakar authoring any books in the provided sources. His contributions to Nigeria’s political and economic landscape are primarily through his actions and policies during his tenure as head of state.
Citations
Additional Sources
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.