Yakubu Gowon

About

Nigerian politician who was the head of the Federal Military Government in Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. His tenure was marked by flagrant corruption and he notably helped prevent the Biafran secession during the Nigerian Civil War.

Before Fame

He attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Staff College, and Camberley Joint Service Defence College.

Trivia

He attained a PhD in political science at the University of Warwick after being sent into exile in the UK following his political overthrow.

Family Life

He grew up in a village near Kanke in the Plateau State.

Associated With

He and Abdulsalami Abubakar were both leaders in Nigeria.