Yakubu Gowon

General Yakubu Gowon became Nigeria's head of state in July 1966 following a counter-coup that brought northern military officers to power. The young officer from Plateau State led Nigeria through the devastating civil war (1967-1970) and oversaw the country's oil boom years of the early 1970s. His administration created twelve states from the original four regions and managed post-war reconstruction efforts. However, by 1975, widespread corruption had become endemic across state governments under his watch.

Gowon's rise occurred during Nigeria's first major political crisis, following two military coups in 1966 that ended the First Republic. The January coup had been led primarily by Igbo officers, creating ethnic tensions, while the July counter-coup brought northern officers to prominence. As oil revenues began flowing in the early 1970s, the federal government gained unprecedented resources, but oversight mechanisms remained weak. The creation of new states meant more governors and expanded opportunities for mismanagement of public funds.