Weaknesses of Military Government in Nigeria

Understanding Military Rule in Nigeria

Nigeria experienced military rule for about 29 years between 1966 and 1999. Military governments came to power through coups, promising to fix the problems civilian governments could not solve. However, military rule created more problems than it solved.

During this period, Nigeria had several military leaders including General Aguiyi-Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Mohammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Sani Abacha, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Each regime had weaknesses that affected Nigeria’s development.

Major Weaknesses of Military Government

1. Violation of Human Rights

Military governments in Nigeria frequently abused human rights. Citizens were arrested without trial and detained for long periods. The most famous case was the detention of Chief Moshood Abiola after winning the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Journalists, activists, and opposition leaders faced harassment, torture, and sometimes execution.

Under General Sani Abacha’s regime (1993-1998), Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were executed in 1995 despite international appeals. Many Nigerians lived in fear of expressing their opinions or criticizing the government.

2. Disregard for the Rule of Law

Military leaders ruled by decrees that could not be challenged in court. They suspended the constitution and made themselves above the law. When courts made decisions against the government, military rulers often ignored these judgments.

The judiciary lost its independence. Judges who made unfavorable rulings faced threats or removal. This destroyed the principle of separation of powers that protects democracy.

3. Corruption and Mismanagement

Although military governments claimed they came to fight corruption, they became more corrupt than the civilian governments they replaced. Military officers enriched themselves with public funds. General Sani Abacha allegedly stole over $5 billion from Nigeria’s treasury.

The oil boom of the 1970s brought huge revenue, but military governments wasted these resources on white elephant projects. Money meant for development was diverted to personal accounts in foreign banks.

4. Promotion of Ethnicity and Nepotism

Military rulers favored people from their ethnic groups and religions. Appointments to key positions were based on where you came from, not your qualifications. This increased ethnic and religious tensions in Nigeria.

For example, many military regimes gave important positions to people from their home states or regions. This practice divided the country along ethnic lines and made national unity difficult to achieve.

5. Suppression of Democratic Institutions

Military governments banned political parties, trade unions, and student associations. They closed newspapers and radio stations that criticized them. The National Assembly was dissolved, and elected officials were sent home.

General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by M.K.O. Abiola, which many experts say was Nigeria’s freest and fairest election. This action showed total disrespect for the will of the people.

6. Hasty and Poor Decision-Making

Because military governments did not need approval from parliament or the people, they made quick decisions without proper planning. These hasty decisions often failed or created new problems.

The creation of states and local governments was often done without proper consultation or planning. Some states were created just to favor certain ethnic groups or regions.

7. Economic Decline

Under military rule, Nigeria’s economy suffered greatly. The naira lost value against foreign currencies. By 1999, one dollar exchanged for about 90 naira, compared to 0.89 naira in 1986. Unemployment increased, and many companies closed down.

The Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) introduced by Babangida in 1986 caused severe hardship. Prices of goods increased, wages were frozen, and many people lost their jobs. Students protested frequently, leading to the closure of universities.

8. International Isolation

Nigeria’s image abroad suffered under military rule. After the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations. Many countries imposed sanctions on Nigeria, which affected trade and foreign investment.

Comparison: Military vs. Civilian Government

Common Exam Mistakes

Mistake 1: Students list weaknesses without explaining them. WAEC wants you to explain how each weakness affected Nigeria, not just mention it.

Mistake 2: Confusing military rule with military democracy. There is no such thing as military democracy. Military rule is by definition undemocratic.

Mistake 3: Giving only positive points about military government when asked for weaknesses. Some students write that military governments built roads or created states. The question asks for weaknesses, so focus on negative aspects.

Mistake 4: Poor English expression. Write clear sentences. Instead of “Military was bad for economy,” write “Military governments mismanaged the economy through corruption and poor policies.”

Mistake 5: Not giving specific examples. Mentioning actual military leaders, dates, and events (like June 12, 1993) shows deeper understanding and earns more marks.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following was NOT a weakness of military government in Nigeria?
a) Violation of human rights
b) Promotion of ethnicity
c) Respect for the rule of law ✓
d) Suppression of democratic institutions

2. The annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by Babangida showed:
a) Respect for democracy
b) Disregard for the people’s will ✓
c) Good leadership
d) Constitutional rule

3. Under military rule, laws were made through:
a) Acts of Parliament
b) Military decrees ✓
c) Court judgments
d) Popular votes

4. Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed under which military regime?
a) Ibrahim Babangida
b) Muhammadu Buhari
c) Sani Abacha ✓
d) Abdulsalami Abubakar

Essay/Theory Questions

1. Explain five weaknesses of military government in Nigeria. (10 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: For each weakness, give a clear explanation with specific examples. Write at least 3-4 sentences per point. Mention names, dates, or specific events to support your answer.

2. “Military rule did more harm than good to Nigeria.” Discuss. (15 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: This requires balanced discussion. Mention some achievements (like state creation, infrastructure) but focus more on the harm (corruption, human rights abuse, economic decline). Your conclusion should clearly state your position with strong reasons.

3. Compare military government with civilian government in Nigeria, highlighting four differences. (8 marks)

Examiner’s Tip: Use a clear format for comparison. State the aspect, then explain how it differs under each system. For 8 marks, you need 4 well-explained differences (2 marks each).

Memory Aids

Remember the 5 Cs of Military Rule Weaknesses:

• Corruption (mismanagement of public funds)
• Coercion (human rights violations and force)
• Centralization (no separation of powers)
• Censorship (press freedom denied)
• Cronyism (nepotism and ethnic favoritism)

Key Military Leaders (in order): “All Generals Make Others Bow, Babangida Always Attacks”

• Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966)
• Gowon (1966-1975)
• Murtala (1975-1976)
• Obasanjo (1976-1979)
• Buhari (1983-1985)
• Babangida (1985-1993)
• Abacha (1993-1998)
• Abdulsalami (1998-1999)

Related Topics

Understanding weaknesses of military government connects to these other Government topics:

• Features of military rule in Nigeria
• Achievements of military government (for balanced view)
• Reasons for military intervention in politics
• Democratic government and its features
• The role of judiciary in democratic governance