Nigeria who got her independence in the year 1960 has experienced several military coups over the years.
After Nigeria got her first independent, military coup commenced in January 1966, this coup was led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, the coup overthrew the government of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
In the same 1966, Nigeria experienced another coup in July 1966, this coup was led by General Aguiyi Ironsi, the coup overthrown the government of General JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi.
After the 1966 coup the nation again experienced another coup in July 1975, which was the third military coup led by General Murtala Mohammed, the coup displaced the government of General Yakubu Gowon.
Nigeria experienced another attempted coup in February 1976, this coup was led by Lt. Col. B.S. Dimka, the coup attempted to overthrown General Murtala Mohammed’s government but failed.
After some years passed bye, Nigeria experienced her fourth military coup in December 1983, the coup was led by General Muhammadu Buhari, this coup displaced the government of President Shehu Shagari.
In August 1985, Nigeria experienced her fifth military coup which was led by General Ibrahim Babangida, this coup overthrown General Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
The last military coup Nigeria experienced was in 1993, this coup was led by General Sani Abacha, the coup overthrown the interim government of Chief Ernest Shonekan.
After several military coups Nigeria returned to democracy in May 1999, this time around General Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over power to President Olusegun Obasanjo, marking the end of military rule.
Since 1999, Nigeria has been experiencing a free democracy till date without any military intervention.
