Lieutenant Murtala Mohammed at a Church Service, 1962

This rare image captures Lieutenant Murtala Ramat Mohammed in 1962, pictured in military uniform while attending a church service as a young Nigerian Army officer. At the time, he was serving as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Dr. Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, the Administrator of the Western Region during Nigeria’s political crisis of the early 1960s.

Historical Context

In 1962, Nigeria was barely two years into independence and already grappling with intense political instability, particularly in the Western Region. Dr. M. A. Majekodunmi was appointed Administrator by the Federal Government to restore order, and Lieutenant Murtala Mohammed, then a promising young officer, was attached to him as ADC. This role placed Mohammed at the heart of Nigeria’s early post-independence political and security challenges.

A Glimpse into Character

The photograph is significant not merely for its rarity but for what it suggests about the era and Mohammed’s early life. Military officers at the time often participated openly in civilian and religious life, reflecting the close interaction between the armed forces and society in Nigeria’s formative years. Mohammed’s presence at a church service also highlights the pluralistic environment of the Nigerian military, where religious diversity was common.

From Young Officer to National Leader

Murtala Mohammed would later rise rapidly through the ranks, becoming a Brigadier, playing a key role in the 1966 counter-coup, and eventually emerging as Nigeria’s Head of State in 1975. His brief but impactful tenure is remembered for decisive reforms, anti-corruption measures, and a strong push for national discipline before his assassination in 1976.
This 1962 image therefore stands as an early visual record of a man who would go on to shape Nigeria’s political and military history in profound ways.

Source: Cindymonel