20th century – 20th century
Nigeria
Nigeria’s postwar political restructuring combined military rule, the breakup of the former regions into smaller states, and the growing fiscal power generated by oil. Oil began contributing substantially to federal revenue in 1970 and represented about 80 percent of that revenue by 1979. The military governments led by Murtala Mohammed and, after his death, Olusegun Obasanjo, also initiated a thorough programme for returning Nigeria to civilian rule in 1979.
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The Story
After the civil war, victory gave federal institutions greater confidence, but the political system was also transformed by military government. The breakup of the regions into much smaller states increased the authority of the federal government. The extract presents this territorial reorganisation, together with military rule, as the most significant political development of post-independence Nigeria.
The expansion of oil revenue supplied the federal government with new financial power. Oil began to make a substantial contribution to federal revenue in 1970 and accounted for approximately 80 percent of it in 1979. This financial change reinforced the centralising effects of state reorganisation and helped provide resources for the government’s subsequent political programme.
The military government first headed by General Murtala Mohammed and, after his murder during an abortive coup in 1976, by General Olusegun Obasanjo, embarked on a programme for a return to civilian rule in 1979. Its execution was described as unusually thorough and meticulous despite unreliable public utilities and government services. The transition therefore formed part of a broader effort to consolidate a more powerful federal state after the civil war.
20th century – 20th century
Nigeria
Nigeria’s postwar political restructuring combined military rule, the breakup of the former regions into smaller states, and the growing fiscal power generated by oil. Oil began contributing substantially to federal revenue in 1970 and represented about 80 percent of that revenue by 1979. The military governments led by Murtala Mohammed and, after his death, Olusegun Obasanjo, also initiated a thorough programme for returning Nigeria to civilian rule in 1979.
Continue exploring
The Story
After the civil war, victory gave federal institutions greater confidence, but the political system was also transformed by military government. The breakup of the regions into much smaller states increased the authority of the federal government. The extract presents this territorial reorganisation, together with military rule, as the most significant political development of post-independence Nigeria.
The expansion of oil revenue supplied the federal government with new financial power. Oil began to make a substantial contribution to federal revenue in 1970 and accounted for approximately 80 percent of it in 1979. This financial change reinforced the centralising effects of state reorganisation and helped provide resources for the government’s subsequent political programme.
The military government first headed by General Murtala Mohammed and, after his murder during an abortive coup in 1976, by General Olusegun Obasanjo, embarked on a programme for a return to civilian rule in 1979. Its execution was described as unusually thorough and meticulous despite unreliable public utilities and government services. The transition therefore formed part of a broader effort to consolidate a more powerful federal state after the civil war.
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