Former Nigerian military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), is set to unveil his long-awaited autobiography, titled: ‘A Journey In Service‘.
The book launch is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The memoir marks 32 years since Babangida left office, a tenure remembered for its contentious policies and decisions, including the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, and the unresolved murder of veteran journalist Dele Giwa. Despite the controversies, IBB’s political acumen earned him the nicknames: ‘Maradona’ and ‘Evil Genius’, tags he attributes to the Nigerian media. Reflecting on these labels in an earlier interview, he said, “The media called me ‘Evil Genius’. I marvel at that contradiction—you can’t be evil and a genius. As for Maradona, it was due to what they described as my deft political moves”.
Babangida stepped down in August 1993, transferring power to an interim government led by Ernest Shonekan, which was later toppled by General Sani Abacha. Since then, IBB has given interviews addressing some of the controversies surrounding his regime but has largely avoided detailed public discussions about key events.
In 2018, Babangida expressed skepticism about writing an autobiography, questioning whether Nigerians would be interested in reading about a “dictator.” However, he has since changed his stance, culminating in the publication of ‘A Journey In Service’.
The book launch will also double as a fundraising event for the IBB Presidential Library. The event will feature notable dignitaries, including: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honor, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as chairman of the occasion. Ghana’s former president, Nana Akufo-Addo, is set to deliver the Keynote address, while former Nigerian Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will review the book.
Other expected attendees, include: former Nigerian leaders Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, AbdulSalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan. Business magnate, AbdulSamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, as well as former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Ɗanjuma, are listed as chief launchers.
The memoir promises to shed light on Babangida’s years in office, offering insights into his leadership, decisions, and the controversies that have shaped public perception of his legacy.
