I love reading biographies, but I love autobiographies the most for obvious reasons—an actor shares his perspective on his actions, inactions, and covert and overt situations. However, the risk of reading autobiographies lies in the potential for biased opinions, sugar-coated narratives, and historical distortions. I have not read the 420-page IBB memoir, “A Journey in Service.” Nevertheless, I have carefully studied the book review by His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the former Vice President of Nigeria. Additionally, there have been responses to the book from Sameer Lukman and Dr. Abdullateef Y. Bida, among others, along with several news media commentaries. As a keen observer of IBB’s background from my days as a university student radical, I have always been interested in IBB’s developments over the last four decades. IBB’s revelations may be just the beginning, letting the cat out of the bag. We should prepare to hear more from the people who governed us.
I have never met IBB, but his background as a military president distinguished him as a rare gem that earned him nicknames like Maradona and Evil Genius. This intrigue led me to pass by IBB Hilltop Mansion when I visited Minna, imagining the number of people living in his “50-bedroom residence” until I came across his interview where he stated, “There are six rooms in this edifice. I have one room, my wife has one, and all my four children have their own.” IBB is a man that cannot be ignored. It took him three decades to write his memoir.
The launch of the IBB Memoir is the first and most significant event of 2025, considering the politically and economically influential personalities who attended. Although the event was initially set to be chaired by his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he was notably absent for some reason. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended as the special guest of honor. Also present was former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who delivered the keynote address, while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reviewed the autobiography. As anticipated, the event attracted distinguished members of society, including former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
I congratulate IBB for expressing his thoughts on issues that cast aspersions on his character as a man who served this country to the best of his ability. He was once asked, “How do you want to be remembered? “He responded, “Here was a man who tried to communicate ideas with the people, even though they didn’t understand him. But then he made his contributions to the country’s development.” No doubt, IBB has stomached several classified information that could make Nigerians appreciate his actions or inactions during his tenure as a military dictator. Has the book set the record straight? This will be the story for another day.
Now, I have concerns about the book and its launch. Why write a 420-page memoir in this era? The IBB editorial team should have advised him to summarize the book to a maximum of 180 pages. The book should have targeted youths who would have learned a few lessons from the IBB leadership style. Unlike three decades ago, when we read over 100 pages daily, young people have lost the reading culture.
My second concern is the goal of the book launch, which is to generate billions of Naira to build the IBB Library. Already, over 17 billion Naira have been raised during the occasion. However, the enormous physical structure, valued at billions of Naira as a library, may not have the educational impact envisioned for society. Who is discussing a massive library structure containing millions of volumes of books in today’s technological era? When did we last witness book fairs? Libraries filled with limitless books are now in the hands of individuals, known as virtual libraries. In the next two decades, conventional libraries may end up in the archives for those studying the evolution of library science. Then, where will the IBB Library be?
Today, Google is the most extensive library in the world, providing a vast array of information and books accessible to informed individuals. The funds raised by the IBB memoir launch can be allocated to high-need areas, notably to support youth in becoming productive, beneficial to themselves and society, and fostering sustainability potential.
Data from the 2012 revision of the World Population Prospects by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat indicate that the Nigerian population in 1950 was only 37,860,000, compared to 159,708,000 in 2010. By mid-year 2025, the Nigerian population is estimated to reach 237,527,782 people. The proportion of children under the age of 14 is 43.3%, those between 15 and 65 years is 59.3%, while the proportion over 65 years is only 2.8%. IBB’s over 17 billion Naira can support the youth’s innovative and creative initiatives. How?
IBB should utilize the fund to establish a center for innovation and creativity to support Nigerians, particularly the youth, in developing their creative abilities for advancement, productivity, and job creation. Mr. Bill Gates noted during his visit that Nigerians are highly innovative: “Nigerians are known worldwide for their big dreams and ambitions. “Numerous Nigerians are making waves and excelling in various human endeavors globally. They are exceptionally creative in overcoming challenges and turbulent waves to succeed and stand tall for others to admire with envy. Their success stories span all spheres of human endeavor: education, industry, academia, health, ICT, and politics. We should establish the IBB Center for Innovation and Creativity, complete with robust infrastructure, workshops, laboratories, and other facilities to foster all kinds of technologies for human advancement. Nigerians would be delighted to see this type of enduring legacy created by IBB. It will significantly contribute to fulfilling his dream of being an innovative personality. Historically, IBB established the Federal Road Safety Corps, NDLEA, among other institutions still serving humanity.
Another thorny issue in IBB’s memoir was his confession regarding the annulment of the June 12 election, which was deemed the freest. As quoted from the book, “Without question, one of my biggest headaches at this time was Sani Abacha. I knew that Abacha was ambivalent about a return to civil rule.” He continued, “To suddenly have an announcement made without my authority was, to put it mildly, alarming. I remember saying: ‘These nefarious “inside” forces opposed to the elections have outflanked me!’ I would later find out that the ‘forces’ led by General Sani Abacha annulled the elections.”
Additionally, he stated, “June 12 happened under my watch; mistakes, oversights, and missteps occurred in quick succession,” and, “If I have to do it all over again, I will do it differently.” The first statement was unnecessary as it created more tension and rebuke. At the same time, the last one expresses regret and should conclude with an apology to Nigerians for the enormous cost incurred by the June 12 annulment. As a leader, IBB should take responsibility for the actions, right or wrong, during his tenure.
To ordinary Nigerians, Abacha, IBB, Aikhomu, and other military contemporaries were friends, albeit divided by military adventuring and power struggles, which stagnated the nation and made Nigerians victims. Nevertheless, IBB has shown statesmanship by confessing and regretting the wrongs committed during his stewardship; he should reach his final destination—an apology to Nigerians for his few wrongdoings. His virtues might outweigh his vices, as he is human.
