Here’s the moment General Yakubu Gowon returned to Nigeria from ex!le on December 5, 1983 after he was pardoned by Shehu Shagari.

Here’s the moment General Yakubu Gowon returned to Nigeria from ex!le on December 5, 1983 after he was pardoned by Shehu Shagari.

The background:

On July 29, 1975, Yakubu Gowon was removed from office by General Murtala Mohammed. Gowon fled to the UK, where he pursued higher education, earning a PhD in political science from the University of Warwick in the early 1980s. He lived quietly in North London, integrating into the local community.

In 1981, under President Shagari’s administration, Gowon was officially pardoned and his rank as General reinstated. This cleared the way for his return two years later (1983).

His arrival:

Gowon arrived back in Nigeria in 1983 amid a warm reception, but which analysts said was notably low-key. Since 1983, Gowon has focused on philanthropy and peacebuilding. He founded the Yakubu Gowon Centre in 1992 to address governance and health matters. He also initiated the “Nigeria Prays,” through which he has led prayer rallies for peace, including against Boko Haram. Now 91, he is an elder statesman, often credited with helping preserve Nigeria’s unity after the civil war.

Photo: they were taken on his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, cleaned and collaged.

Credit: Ethnic African Stories