Throwback/Historical
Sani Abacha: 20 Things You May Not Know About The Late Dictator
Sani Abacha was a military dictator who led Nigeria from 1993 to 1998. He is remembered for the ruthlessness and corruption of his government.
Abacha’s government oversaw a level of unprecedented state-directed violence and deaths. There were several political assassinations and summary executions of dissidents and political opponents. His most notorious killing is the execution of environmental rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, on trumped-up charges.
It is commonly known that Abacha and his family looted billions of dollars. Abacha loots are still being sought after globally. Several countries have returned large sums of the loot stored in their banks. As at 2020, over $3 billion of Abacha’s stolen funds had been recovered globally.
Beyond his notorious legacy of dictatorship and corruption, there are somethings that most Nigerians may not be aware about Sani Abacha.
In this post, we will be highlighting some of those lesser-known facts about the infamous Nigerian dictator.
Participated In All Coups
Before becoming Head of State, Abacha was involved in all the military coups in Nigeria during his military career. He took part in the July 1966 Nigerian counter-coup from the conceptual stage, including the ones that brought and ousted General Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida.
Record of Military Promotions
Sani Abacha holds the distinction of being the only Nigerian military officer to have risen through every rank of the military without skipping any. He started as a Second Lieutenant in 1963 to General in 1993.
Economic Impact
Although largely remembered for corruption, Abacha’s regime oversaw significant economic achievements. His government increased Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $494 million to over $9.6 billion. His regime also reduced external debt from $36 billion to $27 billion.
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Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF)
Under Abacha’s rule, the Petroleum Trust Fund was established to manage Nigeria’s petroleum revenue for development projects. It was initially perceived as successful, with Muhammadu Buhari as its head, overseeing various infrastructural improvements across the country.
Currency Stabilization
During Sani Abacha’s regime, the official exchange rate of the naira remained fixed at 22 naira to $1 for his entire five-year term. The stability of the naira was achieved through a system of dual exchange rates, which curbed the free fall of the currency during a period of economic turmoil.
Support for African Liberation Movements
The Abacha government supported a number of liberation groups in Africa, especially those in Sierra Leone and Liberia. He was instrumental in regional peacekeeping operations conducted by the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
Constitutional Conference
In 1994, the Abacha’s regime convened the National Constitutional Conference. The conference proposed a transition to civilian governance by 1998. However, critics believe that the main purpose of this initiative was to prolong Abacha’s leadership.
Personal Security Force
Abacha assembled a personal security force of 3,000 men trained in North Korea. Hamza al-Mustapha, Abacha’s head security officer, maintained a firm hold over the military security apparatus.
Reduction of Inflation
Abacha reduced the inflation rate of 54% inherited from Ernest Shonekan to 8.5% between 1993 and 1998,
Vision 2010
Abacha set up the Vision 2010 Committee. The committee was tasked with developing a long-term plan for Nigeria’s socio-economic development. The committee’s recommendations were seen as forward-thinking, although they were largely unrealized due to his sudden death.
Cultural Patronage
Despite his authoritarian rule, Abacha had a softer side toward culture and tradition. He funded several cultural festivals and initiatives, showcasing a commitment to promoting Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
His Relationship with Traditional Rulers
Abacha maintained close ties with traditional rulers in Nigeria, granting them increased power and visibility during his regime, likely to bolster his legitimacy among various ethnic groups.
Family Influence
Abacha’s wife, Maryam Abacha, played a significant behind-the-scenes role during his regime. She was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political and social circles, influencing various decisions and maintaining a powerful presence in the state apparatus.
Health Issues
There are reports suggesting that Abacha suffered from undisclosed health conditions, which may have contributed to his sudden death in 1998, although the official cause of death remains controversial.
Foreign Relations and Isolation
Abacha’s regime faced widespread international isolation due to human rights abuses, particularly after the execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. In 1995, following the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations. Yet, he managed to maintain strong relations with a few countries, including China and some Middle Eastern states.
His Role in the Creation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
As a key military officer before becoming Head of State, Abacha played a significant role in the early development of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, which was officially declared as the FCT in 1991 during Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.
Support for Religious Institutions
Abacha strategically supported religious organizations, including both Christian and Islamic institutions, to maintain political stability and win support from various religious communities across Nigeria.
Creation of Geopolitical Zones
Abacha oversaw the re-organisation of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones, in order to reflect cultural, economic, and political realities of the regions: The zones create are: North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South, South-West.
Abacha’s Family
Abacha was married to Maryam Abacha and had seven sons and three daughters.
4th Most Corrupt Leader
In 2004, a list of the ten most self-enriching leaders in the previous two decades was released. In order of amount allegedly stolen, the fourth-ranked of these leaders was Abacha and his family. They are alleged to have embezzled between $1 billion – $5 billion.