IBB on how Abdulsalami Abubakar’s switch from the air force to the army divinely positioned him to lead Nigeria (opens original article in a new tab)

Ibrahim Babangida attributed Abdulsalami Abubakar's rise to Nigeria's head of state to his 1966 transfer from the Nigerian Air Force to the Nigerian Army, which historically produced all military leaders.

• Ibrahim Babangida stated that Abdulsalami Abubakar's transfer from the Nigerian Air Force to the Nigerian Army was crucial for his rise to head of state.
• No Nigerian Air Force officer has ever become head of state, with all military leaders historically coming from the Nigerian Army.
• Abubakar's transfer in 1966 positioned him within the army, which dominated Nigeria's political leadership until 1999.