|
In the 1970s |
|
1970 |
January 12: Civil War ends
Midwest Institute of Technology (later University of Benin) established |
|
1971 |
Kunle Adepeju, University of Ibadan student, dies during anti-UI-administration demonstrations
Nigeria joins OPEC; Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) is established; later becomes NNPC (in April 1977, upon merger of NNOC and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources) |
|
1973 |
Arab Oil embargo on the West; Nigeria reaps profit
May: The National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) established by decree
This year: 2nd All-Africa Games |
|
1974 |
April 1: Udoji salary reviews paid to public service workers
This year: National Universities Commission (NUC) created by statute |
|
1975 |
General Gowon is overthrown (on 29 July) by General Murtala Muhammed. The number of states is increased to 19, with plans for a new capital in Abuja.
October 4: Muhammed sets up Constitution Drafting Committee headed by Chief FRA Williams.
This year: Nigeria plays leading role in the creation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Nigerian Chess Federation (NCF) established (Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwe as pioneer president) |
|
1976 |
February 3: 7 new states created, bringing total to 19
February 13: General Murtala Mohammed is assassinated in an abortive coup led by Dimka. General Olusegun Obasanjo assumes power
September 14: Constitution Drafting Committee submits draft constitution to Obasanjo
September 30: National Theatre Complex in Lagos opened
September: Universal Primary Education (UPE) launched
October 7: Constitution opened to public debate prior to later submission to a Constituent Assembly
This year: Obasanjo launches "Operation Feed the Nation" (OFN)
301 local governments created for the first time
Command and Staff College, Jaji, established |
|
1977 |
Indigenization Decree of 1977 enacted; NNPC becomes the dominant player in the downstream industry by acquiring equity shares in all the international oil marketing companies in the country and taking over ownership of the Port Harcourt I refinery
from Shell-BP
October - Head of State Obasanjo visits the US
This year: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) created
2nd African Arts and Culture festival ("Festac '77") held in Lagos |
|
1978 |
Major university students crisis country-wide against tuition
fees, leading to death of University of Lagos student Akintunde Ojo (April 1978) and six students in ABU, and the banning of students' association NANS
April - President Carter of US visits Nigeria
August: Constituent Assembly completes its constitution review assignment
September 21: New Constitution becomes law, includes Land Use Decree
October 2 - News Association of Nigeria (NAN) commences service
|
|
1979 |
July 7: Senate Elections;
July 14: House of Representatives elections;
July 21: State of Assembly elections;
July 28: Gubernatorial elections;
August 11: Presidential elections;
Presidential election is won by Shehu Shagari and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) over Awolowo of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Zik of Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), Aminu Kano of Peoples Redemption Party (PDP) and Waziri of Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP).
August 13: 24 football fans die at National Stadium in a stampede after match between IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Bendel Insurance of Benin
September 26: Awo's challenge of presidential election results fail in the Supreme Court
October 1: Shagari officially becomes first Executive President of Nigeria
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Guides
