Chapter 07 of 17

Leadership and Purpose - Governing

The Obasanjo/Yar'Adua administration continued the disciplined and reform-oriented policies of the Murtala Mohammed regime, focusing on national development and reducing dependence on oil. Major investments were made in infrastructure, including roads, bridges, dams, steel mills, and railways. The government launched Operation Feed the Nation to promote agricultural self-sufficiency, supported by the establishment of fertilizer and tractor factories. Guided by an “Africa First” foreign policy, Nigeria played a leading role in supporting liberation movements across southern Africa and championing social justice. The administration also introduced significant political reforms, including a new constitution featuring an executive presidency, separation of powers, and an independent judiciary, alongside local government reforms aimed at improving governance and addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.

With Alake of Egbaland, Oba Lipede and Generals Huseni, Innih, Magoro
With Alake of Egbaland, Oba Lipede and Generals Huseni, Innih, Magoro
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) with Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Jimmy Carter, President United States of America
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) with Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Jimmy Carter, President United States of America
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) with General Obasanjo on assumption of office as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) with General Obasanjo on assumption of office as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Generals T.Y. Danjuma and Olusegun Obasanjo
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Generals T.Y. Danjuma and Olusegun Obasanjo
The Supreme Military Council Leadership (L–R): Vice Admiral Michael Adelanwa (Chief of Naval Staff), Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters), General Olusegun Obasanjo (Head of State), Lieutenant General T.Y. Danjuma (Chief of Army Staff), Air Vice Marshal John Yisa-Doko (Chief of Air Staff), and M.D. Yusuf (Inspector General of Police)
The Supreme Military Council Leadership (L–R): Vice Admiral Michael Adelanwa (Chief of Naval Staff), Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters), General Olusegun Obasanjo (Head of State), Lieutenant General T.Y. Danjuma (Chief of Army Staff), Air Vice Marshal John Yisa-Doko (Chief of Air Staff), and M.D. Yusuf (Inspector General of Police)
Ring Road, Lagos
Ring Road, Lagos
Jebba Road Bridge – Kwara State
Jebba Road Bridge – Kwara State
Carter Bridge – Lagos
Carter Bridge – Lagos
Warri Port- Delta State
Warri Port- Delta State
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with Dr. Hans Wittmann- Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with Dr. Hans Wittmann- Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) cutting a ribbon during an official commissioning ceremony during his tenure as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (right) cutting a ribbon during an official commissioning ceremony during his tenure as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters
Warri Steel Plant, Delta State
Warri Steel Plant, Delta State
Shen River Dam- Plateau State
Shen River Dam- Plateau State
Sea Port
Sea Port
Tin Can Island – Lagos
Tin Can Island – Lagos
Murtala Mohammed Airport- Lagos
Murtala Mohammed Airport- Lagos
Asa River Dam
Asa River Dam
Promoting Agricultural Development – Operation Feed the Nation
Promoting Agricultural Development – Operation Feed the Nation
Promoting Agricultural Development through the launch of ‘Operation Feed the Nation’
Promoting Agricultural Development through the launch of ‘Operation Feed the Nation’
Opening Ceremony Regatta – Festac ’77
Opening Ceremony Regatta – Festac ’77
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua laying a floral wreath at a monument dedicated to freedom fighters and liberation movements
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua laying a floral wreath at a monument dedicated to freedom fighters and liberation movements
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Right) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Right) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Jimmy Carter-President, United States of America
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Jimmy Carter-President, United States of America
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with the Shah of Iran
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with the Shah of Iran
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Helmut Schmidt – Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from left) with Helmut Schmidt – Chancellor, Federal Republic of Germany
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from right) with the Shah of Iran, accompanied by Muhammadu Buhari, during an official engagement.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from right) with the Shah of Iran, accompanied by Muhammadu Buhari, during an official engagement.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) receiving welcome in Iran with Prime Minister
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Left) receiving welcome in Iran with Prime Minister
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with Michael Manley – Prime Minister of Jamaica
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with Michael Manley – Prime Minister of Jamaica
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Michael Manley – Prime Minister of Jamaica
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with General Olusegun Obasanjo and Michael Manley – Prime Minister of Jamaica
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from right) during an audience with His Royal Highness King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Sheikh Abubakar Gumi
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (second from right) during an audience with His Royal Highness King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Sheikh Abubakar Gumi
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (front row, second from left) during an official visit to the Philippines to explore agricultural development initiatives
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (front row, second from left) during an official visit to the Philippines to explore agricultural development initiatives
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua(left) with Kurt Waldheim – Secretary General, The United Nations
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua(left) with Kurt Waldheim – Secretary General, The United Nations
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua(Left) at The Great Wall of China on an official visit to China
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua(Left) at The Great Wall of China on an official visit to China
Newspaper headline announcing the local government reforms under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
Newspaper headline announcing the local government reforms under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo and Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
Shehe Musa Yar’Adua(Right) with Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehe Musa Yar’Adua(Right) with Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sule Gambari during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (left) with Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sule Gambari during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from right) with Yoruba traditional rulers during a courtesy visit to discuss the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from right) with Yoruba traditional rulers during a courtesy visit to discuss the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from right) during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (first from right) during a courtesy visit to royal fathers on the objectives and benefits of the administration’s Local Government Reforms
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (fourth from left) with Emir of Zaria, Alafin of Oyo, Emir of Gwandu, Shehu of Borno, Estu of Nupe : meetind with royal fathers on the objectives of the administration’s Local Government Reforms.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (fourth from left) with Emir of Zaria, Alafin of Oyo, Emir of Gwandu, Shehu of Borno, Estu of Nupe : meetind with royal fathers on the objectives of the administration’s Local Government Reforms.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (third from left) with by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sir Abubakar III; General Olusegun Obasanjo; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris; and the Emir of Katsina, Sir Usman Nagogo, during a courtesy visit to discuss the objectives of the administration’s Local Government Reforms.
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (third from left) with by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sir Abubakar III; General Olusegun Obasanjo; the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris; and the Emir of Katsina, Sir Usman Nagogo, during a courtesy visit to discuss the objectives of the administration’s Local Government Reforms.