Nigerian Military Governments And Their Highest Organs
The Nigerian military juntas of 1966–79 and 1983–98 were a pair of military dictatorships in Nigeria that were led by the Nigerian military , having a chairman or president in charge. First Junta (1966–1979) Edit Main article: Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979) Nigeria's first military junta began following the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état which overthrew Prime Minister Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa . Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was made the Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, but was soon overthrown and murdered in a coup in July of the same year. Aguiyi-Ironsi was succeeded by General Yakubu Gowon , who established a Supreme Military Council . Gowon held power until July 1975, when he was overthrown in a bloodless coup. Brigadier (later General) Murtala Mohammed , who succeeded Gowon. Months later, in February 1976,...