Olusegun Obasanjo is a Yoruba soldier and statesman who ruled Nigeria as military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and served as elected President from 1999 to 2007. This neutral biography covers his early life, education, military and political career, family and later roles, based on published reports.
Editorial note: last checked on 26 October 2026. See also our profile of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our history of Abeokuta and the Egba.
Obasanjo at a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | About 5 March 1937 (official date), Ibogun-Olaogun, Ifo, now Ogun State |
| Parents | Obasanjo Bankole and Bernice Ashabi |
| Education | Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta; Mons Officer Cadet School, England; PhD, National Open University of Nigeria |
| Military | Enlisted 1958; commanded forces at the end of the civil war |
| Offices | Head of state (1976 to 1979); President (1999 to 2007) |
Early life and army career
Obasanjo came from a farming family of the Owu branch of the Yoruba, and was educated mainly in Abeokuta. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1958, served with the UN force in the Congo in 1960 and 1961 and commanded forces in the civil war, accepting the surrender of Biafra in January 1970. He became Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, in 1975.
Head of state, 1976 to 1979
After Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in February 1976, the Supreme Military Council named Obasanjo head of state. His government expanded free primary education, launched Operation Feed the Nation, issued the 1978 Land Use Decree and oversaw a new constitution and the 1979 elections, handing power to Shehu Shagari in October 1979. Critics note the raid on Fela Kuti’s Kalakuta Republic occurred under his rule; he was never shown to be directly responsible.
Imprisonment and return
He retired to a farm in Ota and wrote several books. In 1995, under Sani Abacha, he was arrested and convicted over an alleged coup plot, which he denied. He was released after Abacha’s death in 1998.
President, 1999 to 2007
He won the 1999 presidential election for the PDP and was re-elected in 2003. His government reduced the military’s political role, privatised public enterprises and withdrew Nigerian troops from Sierra Leone. He chaired the African Union from 2004 to 2006. An attempt to amend the constitution to allow a third term failed and drew criticism. Critics also say his administrations were marked by corruption and rights abuses, while supporters point to economic and institutional reforms.
Family and later roles
Published records name three marriages and children including Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and Oluwasegun Obasanjo. After office he ran agricultural enterprises, founded the Africa Leadership Forum and held international roles, including co-chairing a Commonwealth group on South Africa in 1986.
Frequently asked questions
When was Obasanjo president?
As military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and elected president from 1999 to 2007.
Is Obasanjo Yoruba?
Yes, from the Owu branch of the Yoruba in what is now Ogun State.
Why was he imprisoned?
In 1995 he was convicted in connection with an alleged coup plot, which he denied. He was released in 1998.
Sources
Images: Unsplash photographers; general scenes, not photographs of the subject. More on our Learn Yoruba hub.
