Former President of Nigeria
Born on 5 March 1938 in Abeokuta, he is a former Nigerian president, politician, strategist, diplomat, statesman, and military general. He enlisted in 1959 and served in posts including Commander of the Engineering Corps, Minister of Works and Housing, member of the Supreme Military Council, and Chief of Staff of the Supreme Headquarters, holding the rank of General. From 13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979, he served as Head of State and Head of the Federal Military Government, promoting economic reform and a transition to democracy, and presiding over the transfer of power to a democratically elected civilian government in 1979. He has served on bodies including the UN Group of Eminent Persons on Disarmament and Development and advisory groups of international foundations.
He was democratically elected President of Nigeria for two terms from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. From 6 July 2004 to 24 January 2006, he served as Chairperson of the African Union. He is currently Co-Chair of the InterAction Council. Long active in Nigerian, African, and international politics, he has promoted Nigeria's modernization and devoted himself to African democracy and development, and is praised with honorific titles such as the "Eagle of Africa."