Babangida, Ibrahim 1941- . Nigerian
politician and soldier, president from 1985.
He became head of the Nigerian army in 1983
and in 1985 led a coup against President
Buhari, assuming the presidency himself.
Babangida was born in Minna, Niger state; he
trained at military schools in Nigeria and
the UK. He became an instructor in the
Nigerian Defence Academy and by 1983 had
reached the rank of major general. In 1983,
after taking part in the overthrow of
President Shehu Shagari, he was made army
commander-in-chief.