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Overview. As one of the world’s most deeply divided countries, Nigeria SOURCE: Adapted from Ben O Nwabueze, A Constitutional History of Nigeria (C First, over the period from until independence, the British “amalgamated” Nigeria into is the longest phase of civilian rule in Nigeria’s constitutional history.

Since it gained independence from Britain in , however, it has been plagued by political instability and economic problems. In , after implementing a wide range of governmental reforms, Obasanjo stepped down from office and restored civilian rule. In doing so, he became the only Nigerian military leader to voluntarily hand power to a democratically-elected government.

Following two decades of corrupt political leadership, Obasanjo presented himself as a candidate for president, and was elected in March of As president, Obasanjo faced some daunting problems. The economy, already damaged by high-level corruption, is dependent on oil for In , Obasanjo enlisted in the Nigerian army. He was commissioned in , and served in the Congo now Zaire the following year. In Otta, Ogun State, ; elected president of Nigeria, Addresses: Home — Abeokuta, Nigeria.

In his two decades in the military, Obasanjo advanced steadily through the ranks. From to , he served in the 5th Battalion in Kaduna and the Cameroons. In , he was commissioned second lieutenant. The following year, he was promoted to lieutenant, and served in the Nigerian contingent of the UN Force in the Congo.