Former Nigerian Head of State and retired army general, Abdulsalami Abubakar, marks his 83rd birthday today, June 13, 2025. Widely respected for leading Nigeria back to civilian rule, Abdulsalami remains a symbol of peace and stability in the country.
Born in Minna, Niger State, in 1942, Abdulsalami served as Nigeria’s de facto president from 1998 to 1999 after the sudden death of General Sani Abacha. Despite coming to power during a tense period, he quickly set Nigeria on a new democratic path.
Within days of assuming office, Abdulsalami promised to hand over power to a civilian government. He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata, and oversaw a series of elections that led to the emergence of Olusegun Obasanjo as president. True to his word, Abdulsalami handed over power on May 29, 1999, and retired from the army.
His leadership marked the end of 16 years of consecutive military rule, which had begun with the 1983 coup that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power. Abdulsalami’s peaceful handover was praised both locally and internationally, especially at a time when many African leaders clung to power.
Abdulsalami is currently the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, a group that works to promote peaceful elections and national unity.
He began his education in Minna and later attended Government College, Bida, and Kaduna Technical College. Known for his humility and quiet strength, Abdulsalami remains one of Nigeria’s most respected elder statesmen.
As he turns 83, many Nigerians are remembering him not just as a former military leader, but as a man who kept his promise to return the nation to democracy.
