As Nigeria commemorates the 27th anniversary of the passing of General Sani Abacha (d. June 8, 1998), we owe ourselves a moment of sober ref...
As Nigeria commemorates the 27th anniversary of the passing of General Sani Abacha (d. June 8, 1998), we owe ourselves a moment of sober reflection—a time to reevaluate not just the man but the legacy he left behind. His name has long stirred controversy, but with the passage of time and the benefit of hindsight, a more balanced appraisal emerges—one that reveals a leader whose impact was profound, whose style was firm, and whose patriotism was genuine.
General Abacha did not rise to power out of blind ambition but at a time of national fragility. In 1993, Nigeria was on the brink, racked by political instability, economic decline, and deepening social unrest. It was a nation in desperate need of order. Abacha answered that call, not with oratory or grandstanding but with action. He was the last successful military intervention in Nigeria’s history and ended the cycles of coups that plagued our post-independence democracy.
A Disciplined Hand in Times of Chaos
Abacha's leadership was marked by decisive action and unyielding discipline. He operated not to please the global media or curry favour with elite interests but to stabilise the country and deliver results. He governed with an iron hand, yes—but that iron hand brought with it a level of security, structure, and economic order that many Nigerians still recall with nostalgia.
Under his administration, wastefulness and inefficiency were tackled head-on. He curtailed government extravagant excesses and focused his leadership on fiscal prudence, discipline, and nation-building. Unlike many of his predecessors and successors, who governed through empty promises, Abacha spoke the language of deliverables—projects completed, inflation tamed, foreign reserves increased, and national unity preserved.
Economic Stabiliser in Tough Times
Perhaps the most compelling evidence of Abacha’s leadership acumen lies in his economic legacy. When he assumed office, Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at a mere $494 million, and the country groaned under a suffocating external debt of $36 billion. By 1997, reserves had risen dramatically to $9.6 billion, and debt had been reduced to $27 billion—a historic achievement considering that oil prices then averaged just $15 per barrel.
This feat wasn’t due to windfall revenue—it was the result of prudent management, deliberate planning, and policy discipline. Inflation, which stood at 54% in 1993, was brought down to 8.5% by 1998. The naira stabilised, and the average Nigerian felt relief in the cost of food, transportation, and essential goods.
Abacha also resisted external pressure from the IMF and World Bank to adopt structural adjustment policies that had previously battered local industries and hurt people with low incomes. Instead, he developed Nigeria’s home-grown economic model focused on self-reliance and national interest.
Champion of the Common Man
General Abacha’s populist economic policies were anchored in a clear vision: protect the Nigerian economy from elite capture and foreign dominance. He halted the reckless privatisation program of the Babangida regime, understanding that selling off strategic national assets to a few oligarchs would entrench inequality and undermine sovereignty. His administration prioritised the public over profit and the people over plutocracy.
In doing so, he opposed neoliberal globalisation, which prioritised profits over people—a bold move that even many modern democracies struggle to undertake.
Builder of Infrastructure and Institutions
Beyond macroeconomics, Abacha was a builder in every sense. Under his administration, cities across Nigeria witnessed unprecedented urban renewal. Kano, Kaduna, Zaria, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Lokoja, Aba, Benin, Gusau, and others benefited from over 25 to 100 kilometres of urban roads, easing traffic congestion, facilitating trade, and improving quality of life.
In healthcare, his administration rehabilitated general hospitals, upgraded military health facilities, and invested in equipment and staff training. In education, Abacha expanded access, particularly in northern Nigeria, by building and renovating schools and improving teacher salaries. He also established the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), chaired by General Muhammadu Buhari, to channel oil revenues directly into development projects in health, education, roads, and water supply—a structure that remains a model of targeted development financing.
Defender of National Unity and Sovereignty
Abacha ruled a nation beset with ethnic and religious divisions. Yet, he managed to maintain national cohesion by balancing interests and asserting federal authority. His dedication to Nigeria’s sovereignty was non-negotiable. He rejected undue external interference and insisted on African-led solutions to African problems, particularly in conflicts like the Liberian and Sierra Leonean civil wars, where Nigeria, under ECOMOG, played a peacekeeping role.
His foreign policy was firm and independent. Abacha was unapologetically pro-Nigerian, unafraid to challenge Western hegemony when it conflicted with national interest.
Legacy Misunderstood, Lessons Unlearned
Like many leaders who governed in turbulent times, General Abacha's legacy is complex and often contested. His administration faced criticism on several fronts, particularly concerning "political freedoms and civil rights", . These concerns are valid and form an essential part of the historical record.
However, viewing his tenure solely through these challenges risks overlooking the broader context in which he led. It was a period marked by instability and his approach, though firm and sometimes controversial, was driven by a clear focus on order, development, and national interest.
There is value in acknowledging both the strengths and the imperfections of his time in office. Doing so allows for a more nuanced understanding of leadership—one that appreciates the balance between authority and service, stability and freedom.
In light of current governance realities, many Nigerians reflect on the Abacha years with pragmatism, recognising the developmental strides that were made despite the constraints of the era. There are, no doubt, lessons to be learned—from the policies that worked, the discipline that delivered results, and also from the areas where improvement was needed.
Conclusion: Remembering a Leader Beyond the Myths
As we mark 27 years since his passing, we must not allow selective memory or biased narratives to obscure the fuller picture of General Sani Abacha. He was a man of contradictions—stern but effective, silent yet action-driven, feared but respected. Above all, he was a nationalist who believed in Nigeria’s potential and strove, in his own way, to protect and nurture it.
Let us teach our children to question popular storylines, seek the truth behind the headlines, and understand that leadership must be judged by rhetoric and results. May General Sani Abacha's soul continue to rest in peace.
Lawal Jet Kaugama is a political and social commentator based in Kano.
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