BY AHMED AKANBI
Serving senators, under the aegis of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), have celebrated former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, on his 85th birthday, describing his legacy as central to Nigeria’s unity and federal structure.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC Katsina Central), the senators said Babangida’s legacy of state creation remains “one of the most enduring gifts to Nigerian federalism.”
“With the creation of 11 states between 1987 and 1991, namely: Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Enugu, Jigawa, Abia, Osun, Taraba, Yobe, Delta, Kebbi, and Kogi, you responded directly to decades of agitation for inclusion and equitable representation,” the statement said.
The senators noted the impact on the North in particular.
“For the North, the creation of Katsina, Jigawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Yobe, and Kogi brought the government closer to the people, opened up rural development, and gave new voices a seat at the national table. That bold restructuring eased tensions and strengthened the unity of the federation we all swore to protect,” they stated.
They also commended Babangida for far-reaching decisions taken between 1985 and 1993 to stabilise the nation, singling out the relocation of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja in December 1991.
“Perhaps no single administrative decision bears your imprint more than the movement of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja. You completed and inaugurated Abuja as Nigeria’s capital in 1991, giving the nation a purpose-built, centrally located seat of government,” the statement said.
According to the Forum, the move was “more than geography. It was a statement of national integration, neutrality, and long-term planning. Today, Abuja stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity in diversity, and as host to government, diplomacy, and enterprise from every part of the country, including the 19 Northern states we represent.”
Reflecting on Babangida’s leadership during a turbulent period, the Senators said: “As you attain this milestone, we honor not just the years, but the weight of history you carried for Nigeria at a defining moment. You assumed leadership when our nation yearned for stability, for calm, and for a sense of direction.”
“By the grace of God and your resolve, Nigeria remained united through turbulent times, and the foundations you laid continue to shape our national life today,” the statement added.
The Forum prayed for the former leader’s continued well-being, saying “As we celebrate you at 85, the Northern Senators Forum prays for continued strength, wisdom, and good health for you, General.”
“Your commitment to national unity, your boldness in restructuring the federation, and your vision in repositioning governance have earned you a place in history.
“May your counsel continue to be available to the nation, and may the ideals you pursued — of a stable, united, and prosperous Nigeria — be fully realized in our time,” they concluded.
General Babangida served as Nigeria’s Military President from 1985 to 1993. He turned 85 on Monday, August 17, 2026.