Back to: History SSS 2
My brilliant Afrilearn superstar! I hope you’re having an amazing day! Imagine a football team where the captain refuses to leave even after promising to step down. The players become frustrated and decide to replace him with a new leader. This is similar to what happened in Nigeria in 1975, when General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown in a military coup due to his failure to fulfil promises.
The Military Rule Continued; factors that led to 1975 coup, the land used degree
Factors That Led to the 1975 Coup
By 1975, many Nigerians were unhappy with Gowon’s leadership. The country was experiencing corruption, economic mismanagement, and political instability. This led to the bloodless military coup of July 29, 1975, which removed him from power while he was attending a meeting in Uganda. The reasons for the coup included:
Failure to Return to Civilian Rule
Gowon had promised to hand over power to a civilian government in 1976 but later refused, making people lose trust in him.
Widespread Corruption
Many government officials embezzled public funds due to the oil boom, leading to mismanagement and waste.
Poor Infrastructure Development
Despite having a lot of money from oil, basic amenities like roads, schools, and hospitals were not well developed.
Increase in Crime and Indiscipline
Lawlessness, armed robbery, smuggling, and corruption were on the rise.
Lack of Strong Leadership
Gowon was seen as too soft and unable to control his ministers and governors.
The Land Use Decree (1978)
After the 1975 coup, General Murtala Mohammed took over but was assassinated in 1976. His successor, General Olusegun Obasanjo, introduced the Land Use Decree in 1978.
This law:
Transferred land ownership to the government, meaning all land in Nigeria was now under the control of the state.
Prevented land speculation, which had made it difficult for ordinary people to afford land.
Made it easier for the government to acquire land for development.
However, the decree was criticised because it reduced the power of traditional landowners and gave too much control to the government.
Structure of the Administration (1975–1979)
After Gowon’s removal, General Murtala Mohammed became the new Head of State. His administration introduced strict reforms to fight corruption and improve governance.
Supreme Military Council (SMC) – This was the highest ruling body, consisting of top military officers who made decisions.
Federal Executive Council (FEC) – This council helped in running government affairs.
State Governors – The country was divided into 19 states (increased from 12), each led by a military governor.
Local Governments – Local government councils were created to improve governance at the grassroots level.
The Indigenisation Programme (1972 & 1977)
Before Nigeria’s independence, most businesses were owned by foreign companies. To give Nigerians more control over their economy, the government introduced the Indigenisation Programme in:
1972 (under Gowon’s government)
1977 (under Obasanjo’s government)
The programme:
Required foreign companies to transfer ownership to Nigerians.
Encouraged Nigerians to own and manage businesses.
Helped in the growth of local industries.
However, it also had challenges:
Some Nigerians lacked the skills and capital to run businesses successfully.
Many companies were mismanaged, leading to economic decline.
Summary
The 1975 coup happened because Gowon failed to return to civilian rule, corruption increased, and infrastructure development was poor. After the coup, Murtala Mohammed introduced reforms but was assassinated in 1976. His successor, Obasanjo, introduced the Land Use Decree (1978) to regulate land ownership. The Indigenisation Programme was launched to transfer business ownership to Nigerians, but it faced challenges like mismanagement.
Evaluation
- List three reasons why Gowon was overthrown in 1975.
- What was the purpose of the Land Use Decree of 1978?
- Explain the structure of Murtala Mohammed’s administration.
- What was the goal of the Indigenisation Programme?
You are a true Afrilearn superstar! Keep shining and learning because history is full of valuable lessons. See you in the next lesson!
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