President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to former Head of State General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, describing him as a principled military leader with strong democratic ideals whose short but impactful tenure laid critical foundations for Nigeria’s return to civilian rule and advanced Africa’s liberation movements.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, President Tinubu delivered the tribute during a special event commemorating the 49th anniversary of Muhammed’s assassination on February 13, 2026.
The President highlighted Muhammed’s anti-corruption crusade, his bold restructuring of the public service, and his unwavering commitment to handing over power to a democratically elected civilian government in 1979.
“General Murtala Muhammed was a leader who believed in accountability, discipline and service. In just 199 days, he demonstrated that purposeful leadership can achieve in months what others fail to do in years. His anti-corruption drive, administrative reforms and insistence on a return to civilian rule remain enduring legacies,” Tinubu said through Akume.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan also delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing Muhammed as “a leader who feared God and feared nobody else.”
In his speech, Jonathan said: “Murtala Muhammed was a man of courage who confronted corruption head-on when it was dangerous to do so. He believed in Nigeria’s potential and worked tirelessly to reposition the country on the path of progress. His decision to hand over power to civilians in 1979 was not just a military promise fulfilled it was a moral commitment to democracy. That act of statesmanship set a standard that we must all strive to uphold. Africa lost a true son when he was taken away so early, but his vision of a free, united and prosperous continent lives on.”
Jonathan further highlighted Muhammed’s Pan-African legacy, noting his support for liberation movements in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, and his role in promoting African unity and economic emancipation.
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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo emphasised Muhammed’s rare leadership quality of deliberately grooming capable successors, noting that such foresight is seldom seen among Nigerian leaders. “He prepared the ground for others to build on. That is true leadership,” Obasanjo stated.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said Muhammed’s vision of a united and empowered Africa is gradually materialising through economic integration, particularly the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “His Pan-Africanism was not rhetoric; it was action. He supported liberation movements across the continent because he understood that Africa’s freedom is indivisible.”
Former Malawian President Joyce Banda described Muhammed as a “selfless Pan-Africanist” whose devotion to public service and liberation struggles continues to inspire leaders across the continent.
The ceremony brought together political leaders, military top brass, traditional rulers, diplomats and civil society representatives to honour one of Nigeria’s most revered post-independence figures.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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