Clean out a corrupt and bloated public service — Murtala Mohammed

Governance

Set a firm timetable back to civilian rule (by 1979)

Kept

The promise

On taking power in July 1975 the regime announced a fixed programme to hand over to elected civilians by 1 October 1979, after the drift of the Gowon years.

Assessment

Murtala did not live to complete it, but the timetable he set was followed to the day by his successor Obasanjo — the handover to Shehu Shagari took place on 1 October 1979, exactly as scheduled.

Governance

Clean out a corrupt and bloated public service

Partial

The promise

To purge officials seen as corrupt, incompetent or superfluous and restore public-sector discipline.

Assessment

From late 1975 the regime dismissed more than 10,000 civil servants, judges, police, diplomats and academics without benefits, on grounds of age, health, incompetence or malpractice. It was popular at first as a strike against a discredited elite, but the lack of due process, and the fear it instilled, are now judged to have done lasting damage to the civil service's morale and independence.

Part of a recurring commitment — see the full lineage →

Infrastructure

Move the federal capital out of Lagos

Kept

The promise

To relocate the seat of government from congested, coastal, ethnically-marked Lagos to a new, central capital.

Assessment

On 3 February 1976 the regime announced the move and appointed the Aguda panel, which selected the site that became Abuja. The decision stuck: Abuja was built over the following years and the government moved there in 1991.

Governance

Create more states

Kept

The promise

To further break up the large states and bring government closer to more communities.

Assessment

On 3 February 1976 seven new states — Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Imo, Niger, Ogun and Ondo — were created, taking Nigeria from twelve states to nineteen.