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Olusegun Obasanjo

5 March 1937 – present

Olusegun Obasanjo is a Nigerian former army general and politician who led Nigeria twice, first as military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as elected president from 1999 to 2007. He commanded the federal division that accepted the Biafran surrender in 1970 and oversaw the handover to civilian rule in 1979. After a period of imprisonment in the 1990s, he returned to public life and also served as chairman of the African Union.

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Life events

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
5 March 1937

Born into a Yoruba farming family in Abeokuta in what was then British Nigeria.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Enlisted in the Nigerian Army and trained as an officer
1958

Joined the army and undertook officer training, including at Mons Officer Cadet School in England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Accepted the surrender of Biafran forces as commander of the 3rd Marine Commando Division
15 January 1970

His division received the Biafran surrender, ending the Nigerian Civil War.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
July 1975

Became second-in-command in the military government formed after the July 1975 coup.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became military head of state of Nigeria
13 February 1976 – 1 October 1979

Took power after the assassination of Murtala Mohammed and handed over to an elected civilian government in October 1979.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned under the government of Sani Abacha
1995 – 1998

Convicted in connection with an alleged coup plot and held until his release in 1998.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other ✓
Inaugurated as President of Nigeria
29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007

Took office at the return to civilian rule, was re-elected in 2003 and left office in 2007.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served as chairman of the African Union
2004 – 2006

Held the rotating chairmanship of the African Union while president of Nigeria.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Nigeria reached a debt relief agreement with the Paris Club
2005

His administration negotiated the write-off of a large part of Nigeria's external debt.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓