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General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Nigeria

General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Former Head of State

Date of Birth: 13/06/1942
Place of Birth: Minna, Niger State

Education: Native Authority Primary School, 1950-56; Provincial Secondary School, Bida, 1957-62; Technical Institute, Kaduna, 1963; military training, United States, 1975-77 and 1981-82.

Career: Commander, Third Mechanised Brigade, Nigerian Army, Kano; promoted to Colonel, 1984; 11th President of Nigeria, 1998-99.

Commentary: Head of State after Sani Abacha's death, Abubakar handed over to elected President Olusegun Obasanjo on 29 May 1999. Previously regarded as a relatively ascetic Muslim and professional officer, Abubakar faced allegations of grand corruption and incompetence before the Oputa Panel in 2001.