Crisis Chronology

NIGERIA

11/13/2023

APC wins two governorships.

09/08/2023

Factions of Boko Haram said to be fighting each other, mainly in northern Nigeria.

09/06/2023

Appeals court dismisses two of three petitions challenging Tinubu’s election.

09/05/2023

Nigerian Labor Congress launches two-day “warning strike” protesting the removal of gas subsidies and demanding improved welfare, threatening to “shut down” the economy if the demands are not met.

03/19/2023

APC governor of Lagos re-elected in a victory for the ruling party.

02/28/2023

Opposition parties protest what they believe are irregularities in the voting results announced so far. Final results are expected 3/5.

02/28/2023

Tinubu elected president

National Election Commission declares Tinubu the winner of the election with 36.6% of the vote. Abubakar won 29% and Obi 25%. The opposition says it will contest the election.

02/25/2023

General election. To win the presidency, a candidate must win the popular vote and 25% of the votes in at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s thirty-six states. Voting is extended to 2/26 due to some problems at polling places.

02/23/2023

Main presidential candidates sign an agreement to refrain from anything that might incite violence.

02/16/2023

Buhari allows small old notes to remain in circulation to ease the cash crisis. Banks are running low on cash, and unable to process the exchange of old notes for new ones, leading to rising anger and some violence.

02/15/2023

The election of 2/25 is said to be unpredictable. The main traditional candidates are: Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, a successful businessman and power behind Buhari; Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president and successful businessman, of the Peoples Democratic Party; and the surprisingly popular Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Obi’s poll numbers are high, probably because of the very large new registrants among younger people.

12/07/2022

Government restricts cash withdrawal to 100,000 naira (about $25) in an effort to curb counterfeiting and discourage ransom payments to kidnappers.

10/28/2022

US orders non-essential personnel to leave, citing risk of terrorist attacks.

10/19/2022

Flooding has killed more than 600 and displaced more than a million.

10/14/2022

University lecturers and staff agree to end their strike after negotiations with the government that authorized a review of conditions of payment, back pay, and more funding for universities.

09/30/2022

Candidates for president to replace Buhari begin campaigning. The main candidates are new candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party, a former state governor and bank executive; and ruling party APC candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos governor; and the New Nigerian Peoples Party's Rabiu Kwankwaso. All have pledged a peaceful campaign. The election will be at the end of 2/23.

09/19/2022

Severe flooding displaces 100,000 people, kills 300, and may cause dam breakdowns. The flooding is caused by substantial rainfall, release of water from a dam in Cameroon, and poor infrastructure.

08/10/2022

Increasing criticism of Buhari for his failure to provide security. There is a movement to impeach him.

07/11/2022

APC candidate for president Tinubu picks Senator Kashim Shettima, a Muslim, as running mate.

06/09/2022

Ruling All Progressives Congress nominates veteran politician and former governor of Lagos Bola Tinubu for president in 2023 election. He will face Peoples Democratic Party candidate Abubakar to succeed Buhari.

05/25/2022

Thirty people are executed by Islamic militants of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in a revenge attack after their commanders were killed in raids by the Nigerian military.

05/17/2022

The executive in charge of the treasury, Accountant-General Ahmed Idris, is arrested for alleged embezzlement.

05/10/2022

Goodluck Jonathan says he will not be a candidate for president, quelling rumors. Buhari has served the limit of two terms and must step down. Many in the All Progressives Congress party have expressed interest in running.

03/26/2022

Buhari intervenes to prevent further infighting in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party. The party elects Abdullah Adamu to be its leader. The next presidential election will be in 2023.

03/24/2022

People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria nominates Atiku Abubakar to be presidential candidate. It is his sixth presidential campaign. Political elites have unofficially agreed that the presidency should rotate between the mostly Muslim north and the largely Christian south, which gives Abubakar an advantage over Buhari, a Muslim from the north.

03/24/2022

Local news reports that more than 7000 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters have surrendered in the last week.

01/13/2022

Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress party and former Lagos governor, declares his intention to run for president. A Muslim from the southwest, is one of the most powerful politicians in the country and one of the richest men. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may also seek the party's nomination.

01/09/2022

At least two hundred killed and thousands displaced by revenge attacks by bandits after military raids on their bases in the north.

12/21/2021

Buhari refuses to sign an amendment to the electoral law that would provide for primary election to decide candidates for the presidential election. He said it was costly and would reduce election security. Nigeria is currently experiencing high inflation and security concerns.

11/10/2021

Ruling APC candidate for governor of Anambra state loses to the All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, a major loss for the ruling party.

11/06/2021

Voting in southeastern state of Anambra begins under heavy security. It is considered to be a test case for election security in the country, ahead of the presidential election in early 2023.

10/07/2021

Government plans to borrow $10 billion to finance its budget.

09/03/2021

Government shuts down schools in two states after a series of kidnappings of school children.

08/27/2021

Large groups of Boko Haram soldiers continue to surrender.

08/12/2021

Approximately a thousand Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to Nigerian authorities in recent days. Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, was killed in a fight with a rival, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in 5/21 and Boko Haram has lost battles and many have defected. The Nigerian government opened a “safe corridor” for defectors.

08/02/2021

Doctors in state-run hospitals go on strike.

06/30/2021

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the separatist group Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), appears in court. He had disappeared in 2017, jumping bail, and his whereabouts have been unknown. No details were released about his arrest on 6/27.

06/07/2021

Government bans Twitter, objecting to posts criticizing the government.

05/07/2021

Widespread criticism of Buhari for his failure to rein in extremist attacks.

03/16/2021

Inflation hits a four-year high, 17%.

03/15/2021

A wave of mass kidnapping continues, now by criminal gangs as well as Islamic militants. Overall, the government is increasingly unable to protect its citizens.

01/28/2021

Fighting in Orlu between the Eastern Security Network and the government in Imo state ends when Nnamdi Kanu orders a ceasefire.

01/26/2021

Buhari replaces all the heads of the armed forces as the security situation in the north worsens.

12/20/2020

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an Igbo separatist movement, announces the formation of a military force, the Eastern Security Network, to fight the Buhari government and “Fulani terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.”

12/19/2020

Children released.

12/17/2020

Nigeria opens land borders with Benin although some goods are still restricted. Nigeria closed the borders in 8/19 in an attempt to control smuggling.

12/14/2020

Boko Haram claims it has kidnapped three hundred school children, a move further to the west than its previous area of operation.

11/28/2020

Boko Haram kills scores of hundred farmers in the northeast region of Borno for cooperating with the military.

10/24/2020

Protests subside.

10/20/2020

Police fire on protestors, killing at least one.

10/18/2020

Protests against police brutality continue.

10/12/2020

Government agrees to disband the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad after many protests. However, there are still demands for a broader change in the police behavior.

06/10/2020

Nigerian states relaxing restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, but Lagos remains under restriction. Nigeria has about 13500 cases and 350 deaths.

05/05/2020

Nigerian oil income drops 80%.

05/04/2020

Easing of restrictions begins as number of new cases rises. There are about 2800 cases and 90 deaths.

04/29/2020

IMF grants Nigeria $3.4 billion loan to cope with COVID-19 pandemic.

04/27/2020

Buhari announces that there will be a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions beginning on 5/4, but a curfew will be imposed and wearing masks required. Nigeria has abut 1300 cases and 40 deaths.

04/14/2020

Government extends stay-at-home order until 4/28.

04/13/2020

Nigeria extends stay-at-home order for two weeks, until 4/27.

03/30/2020

Nigeria begins 14-day stay-at-home order for major population areas due to COVID-19.

03/24/2020

Boko Harama kills seventy soldiers in Borno, in the northeast.

03/01/2020

At a conference in Lagos, Yoruba World Congress (YWC), led by Senator Banjo Akintoye has said Amotekun, a paramilitary force was created to defend Yorubaland, because the central government can no longer ensure security.

02/28/2020

Nigeria confirms first case of COVID-19, the first case in sub-Saharan Africa.

01/05/2020

Chad ends military mission against Boko Haram in Lake Chad area. Nigerians in the area fear a return of militant activity.

12/06/2019

Government rearrests opposition figure Omoyele Sowore as he is released on bail.

12/06/2019

Government rearrests opposition figure Omoyele Sowore as he is released on bail.

12/06/2019

Government rearrests opposition figure Omoyele Sowore as he is released on bail.

10/25/2019

Nigeria closing Protestant churches.

10/03/2019

Government says that Buhari will not seek a third term, which is denied him in the constitution.

09/15/2019

South Africa apologizes to Nigeria for xenophobic attacks.

09/11/2019

Presidential Election Petition Tribunal dismisses Abubakar’s challenge to the election, affirming Buhari’s victory.

09/11/2019

Nigeria repatriates hundreds from South Africa.

09/04/2019

South Africa closes all its embassies in Nigeria. Nigeria leaves World Economic Forum meeting in Cape Town and recalls its high commissioner to South Africa amid the crisis, which complicates Ramaphosa’s efforts to increase investment in the country. He has condemned the attacks.

09/03/2019

Rioting in Johannesburg and Pretoria against foreigners kills at least five.

09/02/2019

South African businesses are attacked in reprisals for attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

09/01/2019

Attacks on foreign nationals, now rampant, become an international crisis. Many of them are Nigerians.

06/07/2019

Government shuts down radio and television stations owned by opposition figure Raymond Dokpesi.

06/06/2019

Government shuts down radio and television stations owned by opposition figure Raymond Dokpesi.

05/09/2019

Kano State votes to split into five emirates. Opposition says it is an effort to reduce the power of the current emir, Mohammed Sanusi II.

03/20/2019

Tshisekedi blocks seating senators pending an investigation into corruption in the election. He also postpones election for provincial governors.

02/27/2019

Buhari is re-elected

Buhari is re-elected with almost 50% of the vote. Abubakar won under 40%. A candidate wins if he or she has the largest vote total and at least one-quarter of the vote in two-thirds of Nigeria’s thirty-six states.

02/26/2019

Buhari reported to have won ten of the sixteen states that have reported results.

02/24/2019

Dozens are killed in post-election violence.

02/04/2019

Court orders Onnoghen to appear in court 2/13 for charges that failed to disclose all finances.

01/29/2019

Case against Onnoghen is adjourned indefinitely pending outcome of the court of appeals, which will meet on 1/30 to decide Onnoghen’s contention that the Code of Conduct court did not have standing to bring the charges.

01/29/2019

Case against Onnoghen is adjourned indefinitely pending outcome of the court of appeals, which will meet on 1/30 to decide Onnoghen’s contention that the Code of Conduct court did not have standing to bring the charges.

01/25/2019

Buhari suspends Onnoghen.

01/25/2019

Buhari suspends Onnoghen.

01/24/2019

Onnoghen wins an injunction halting his case until his application to have the charges dropped is decided.

01/24/2019

Onnoghen wins an injunction halting his case until his application to have the charges dropped is decided.

01/12/2019

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Walter Onnoghen is charged with financial impropriety.

01/12/2019

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Walter Onnoghen is charged with financial impropriety.

01/07/2019

Military forces its way into newspaper office that had published critical articles and also a report about a military operation that the military says divulged information relative to national security.

12/19/2018

Boko Haram increasing its attack in northeastern Nigeria.

12/13/2018

Abubakar signs election peace pact, says his absence was due to a failure of communication.

12/12/2018

Buhari and other party leaders sign “election peace pact” pledge to maintain high standards of conduct during the campaign. But some parties are missing including main opposition leader Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

10/30/2018

Second day of protests by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria about their imprisoned leader Ibrahim Zazaky. Forty-five are reported killed this day and on 10/28. A Shiite in this largely Sunni country, Zakzaky has been imprisoned since 2015, when hundreds of his supporters were killed. The IMN advocates turning Nigeria into an Islamic state. Some fear that continued attacks on the IMN will turn it toward violent militance, as happened with Boko Haram.

10/21/2018

Fifty people killed in sectarian violence in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna State.

09/27/2018

Two main labor unions begin nationwide strike after failing to agree with the government on working conditions and minimum wage requests.

09/12/2018

Buhari files candidacy papers.

09/08/2018

Islamist militants, probably either Boko Haram or its offshoot the Islamist State in West Africa, take important northern Nigerian town.

09/06/2018

Senate president Bukola Saraki announces candidacy for president for the Democratic People’s Party (PDP).

08/08/2018

Acting president Yerri Osinbajo terminates the director of state security, Lawal Daura.

08/07/2018

State Security forces blockade parliament during the emergency meeting in what is seen as support for APC senators to impeach Senate President Bukola Saraki.

08/06/2018

Senate President Bukola Saraki calls for emergency meeting of National Assembly leaders, likely to consider budgetary problems. Buhari spokesman also calls for the meeting, but the opposition says it is an attempt at “blackmail.”

07/31/2018

Senate Pres Bukola Saraki quits ruling All Progressives Party, a week after mass resignations from the party.

07/17/2018

The Islamic State West Africa Province, a Nigerian affiliate of the Islamic State, is estimated to have 3500 fighters, more than the original group now has in Syria and Iraq.

07/10/2018

Thirty-nine opposition parties, including the People’s Democratic Party and the new Reformed-All Progressives Congress, unite to form the Coalition of United Political Parties to challenge Buhari in 2019 elections.

07/05/2018

A faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress breaks away to form a new party that will be led by Buba Galadima and called the Reformed-All Progressives Congress. It will contest elections set for 2/16/19.

06/06/2018

Parliament threatens to impeach Buhari unless he responds to a list of twelve demands, including that killing of Nigerians be curtailed and that the opposition not be harassed.

12/03/2017

Atiku Abubakar rejoins opposition Peoples’s Democratic Party. He has expressed a desire to run for president again, in 2019.

11/24/2017

Former Vice-president Atiku Abubakar quits the ruling All Progressives Congress, which he helped to form.

08/08/2017

Government announces that Buhari has returned.

06/21/2017

Fifteen Nigerian opposition parties form "Mega Coalition," led by Chief Perry Opara of the National Unity Party for next elections.

06/14/2017

Acting President Osinbajo names committee to moderate tensions between north and south.

06/06/2017

Groups in northern Nigeria demand that resident Igbo move to the south or they will be attacked. The Igbo attempted to separate from Nigeria in 1967 and create a new state, Biafra.

05/09/2017

Government says it will initiate talks with Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau, who has declared allegiance to the Islamic State, to end suicide bombings.

05/08/2017

Osinbajo named acting president

Buhari returns to London for medical treatment. Vice-President Osinbajo becomes acting president.

05/07/2017

Eighty-two of the kidnapped Chibok girls are returned after negotiations with Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau.

05/01/2017

National leaders urge Buhari to take further medical leave.

03/10/2017

Buhari returns to Nigeria, though he says he may return to London for follow-up treatment at some point.

02/08/2017

Protest in Abuja against government’s economic policy.

02/04/2017

Buhari extends a medical stay in Britain, increasing the rumors about his health being worse than reported. Vice-President Oluyemi Oluleke “Yemi” Osinbajo will take over as interim leader.

12/31/2016

Leader of Boko Haram faction, Abubakar Shekau, says the group is still strong and urges followers to attack “everywhere,” in a Youtube video.

12/24/2016

Buhari says that Boko Haram has been eradicated from northeastern Nigeria.

12/14/2016

EU allots hundreds of millions of euros to help Niger in an effort to reduce refugee traffic. EU is also working with Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal on similar efforts.

12/11/2016

Boko Haram continues to disrupt food supply in Niger and Nigeria. 70,000 are thought to have fled the north in the first half of 2016, when attacks increased. The group also steals cattle and food and attacks shoppers. Food aid has been stolen or misallocated in Nigeria, according to a Senate report. Less is known about the situation in Niger. The food crisis is likely to continue until harvests in 2017, if not longer.

09/22/2016

Boko Haram continues to ravage the countryside in the north, forcing many refugees to Maiduguri.

07/16/2016

A new group of militants, the Niger Delta Avengers, is threatening areas of the south, blowing up oil and gas pipelines and adding to the reduction in oil income caused by the worldwide lowering of prices. A Biafran separatist movement is again growing in the southeast. There are also fighting between farmers and the Fulani nomads in the middle of the country, in part exacerbated by drought.

05/19/2016

A second Chibok girl is found.

05/17/2016

First Chibok girl is found.

One of the Chibok girls is found.

05/09/2016

Increasing anger in the country as economy continues sharp downturn, largely due to fall in oil price.

02/01/2016

Ongoing wave of violence by Boko Haram.

10/15/2015

Buhari has instituted rigorous anticorruption campaign.

06/26/2015

Having campaigned on ending corruption, Buhari dissolves board of state oil company, from which billions of dollars are said to be missing.

03/31/2015

Muhammadu Buhari is elected president

In nearly final count, Buhari takes 55% of the vote, winning some states in the south as well as the entire north. It is the first transfer of power by legal, democratic means in Nigeria’s history.

03/30/2015

Vote counting continues, with Buhari said to be in the lead.

03/29/2015

Large turnout in voting for president, a contest between Jonathan, a Christian from the south, and former military strongman Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north. The country is largely polarized by these religious and regional splits.

03/12/2015

South African mercenaries, mostly white, forming a crucial force in the battle against Boko Haram. Benin military also involved in the overall campaign.

03/11/2015

Boko Haram pledges allegiance to the Islamic State and calls for volunteers to help establish the caliphate in Africa.

03/09/2015

Chad and Niger military forces attack Boko Haram enclaves in Nigeria.

02/13/2015

Boko Haram attacks in Chad for the first time, since Chad is now helping fight the group.

02/11/2015

Western nations winding down Ebola response as new cases continue to decline.

02/07/2015

Nigeria postpones elections for six weeks because of Boko Haram threat.

02/04/2015

With significant help from Chadian forces and also help from Cameroonian forces, Boko Haram is pushed out of a border town in northern Nigeria. It is an important realignment of military force that may be a turning point in the war against Boko Haram.

01/26/2015

Attack is repulsed after heavy fighting.

01/25/2015

Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri, major northeastern city.

01/23/2015

Increasing support for former ruler General Muhammadu Buhari, now 72, in his campaign for president because of growing Boko Haram threat.

01/07/2015

Boko Haram massacres entire town, Baga, in northern Nigeria.

10/20/2014

Nigeria declared free of Ebola.

Nigeria declared free of Ebola. Government says talks about schoolgirls will continue despite fighting.

10/19/2014

Cease-fire breaking down with new fighting in the north.

10/18/2014

Cease-fire declared between government and Boko Haram. There is hope it will lead to talks for the release of 219 kidnapped schoolgirls known as the Chibok girls.

09/16/2014

As Ebola epidemic begins to accelerate, US commits troops and doctors to the affected countries. Calls for a worldwide effort to stop its spread.

09/04/2014

Boko Haram continues to gain territory in northern Nigeria, now threatening the major city of the area, Maiduguri.

08/05/2014

Largest outbreak of Ebola virus spreading in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria.

07/28/2014

Boko Haram members from Nigeria kidnap the wife of Vice Prime Minister Amadou Ali. Along with other recent attacks, including an attack on Nigeria’s most prominent opposition politician, Muhammad Buhari, this signals a shift in Boko Haram tactics to targeting political figures.

07/21/2014

Town in northern Nigeria located on a strategically important road is captured by Boko Haram.

05/27/2014

Army commander rules out any negotiation on the point of freeing the captive girls, though not all discussion with Boko Haram.

05/12/2014

Amid international outcry, new Boko Haram video shows more than a hundred of the girls and says that they will not “leave our hands” until Boko Haram prisoners are released. This taken to be an offer of a trade.

05/07/2014

Continuing attacks by Boko Haram in north kill hundreds.

05/05/2014

Leader of Boko Haram says he will sell the schoolgirls.

05/04/2014

Government’s slow response about kidnapped schoolgirls becomes an international issue. President Jonathan finally assures the country that they will pursue the kidnappers, but there are large-scale protests.

04/14/2014

Chibok girls kidnapped.

Boko Haram also captures at least 250 school girls in northeastern town of Chibok. Blast in Abuja also believed to be work of Boko Haram, the first major attack in the capital since government announced a military campaign against the group in 5/13.

04/05/2014

Nigeria’s economy becomes the largest in Africa, passing South Africa’s.

03/09/2014

Lamido Sanusi says he was fired because he threatened to expose skimming of $20 million of oil income from government by the national oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

03/02/2014

Deadly attacks, one on children watching a soccer match, by Boko Haram. Government and military criticized for failing to stand up to the group.

02/20/2014

Governor of the central bank, Lamido Sanusi, is fired.

09/19/2013

British research group issues a report saying that theft of oil is significantly reducing sales of major companies, and government officials said to be involved.

05/17/2013

Having declared a state of emergency in the north, the government steps up attacks on Boko Haram.

04/23/2013

New insurgent group calling itself Ansaru and inspired by Al Qaeda has split off from Boko Haram, posing new threat. This group eschews the killing of Nigerians, focusing on westerners.

04/22/2013

Town in northern Nigeria destroyed in fighting between government and Boko Haram.

01/29/2013

A commander of Boko Haram orders his followers to cease fighting, but it is not clear whether he speaks for all factions of the group. The government responds positively.

02/19/2012

Boko Haram attack kills more than 180 in northern city, Kano, the second-largest city in Nigeria.

01/16/2012

Government partially restores fuel subsidy; protests subside.

01/09/2012

Protests grow and a national strike shuts down much of the country. Prices have doubled in the last week, to about $3.50 per gallon.

01/03/2012

Violent riots over government's decision to end subsidy guaranteeing low fuel prices.

08/17/2011

Militant Islamist militia Boko Haram becoming increasingly strong and getting help from other elements of Al Qaeda.

04/24/2011

Continuing riots and protests, especially in the North, between Muslims and Christians. Sunni Muslims suffering more deaths.

04/16/2011

Voting for president proceeds with little disruption. President Jonathan seems to be the most popular choice.

04/13/2011

Jonathan elected president

Jonathan is easily elected over former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, whose supporters then riot in some places. Buhari won a majority in the Muslim north. His mid-1980s military government was noted for its repression of dissent. He continued to dispute the outcome. The election is considered to be perhaps the fairest in the country's history.

01/13/2011

Goodluck Jonathan is nominated for president by the People’s Democratic Party.

10/18/2010

Rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Resurgence of extreme Islamist group, Boko Haram.

10/01/2010

Bombing in Abuja by Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, their first attack in a populated area.

09/15/2010

Jonathan announces candidacy for presidency.

05/05/2010

President Yar’Adua dies

Yar’Adua dies.

03/17/2010

Jonathan dissolves the cabinet, which was of course appointed by Yar’Adua. Perhaps a signal that Yar’Adua is not returning.

03/08/2010

New fighting in Jos. Hausa-Fulani kill 500 Christians and members of other ethnic groups.

02/24/2010

Yar’Adua’s condition remains serious. He will not resume his duties. It is possible that he returned only to forestall a collapse of the government.

02/23/2010

Yar’Adua returns, though it is not clear if he is resuming duties.

02/09/2010

Vice-President Jonathan is named acting president by the legislature, restoring some order. However, the constitutionality is questioned, since it was done on the authority of a vague radio broadcast by Yar’Adua instead of the signed letter called for by the constitution.

01/31/2010

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, having observed a cease-fire since last August when an amnesty program was announced, says it will resume attacks on oil companies, since the amnesty program has produced little observable benefit.

01/21/2010

After fighting between Muslims and Christians kills almost 500 in the town of Jos, Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan orders troops to the city. Jonathan has been authorized by a federal court to perform executive duties while Yar’Adua is in Saudi Arabia.

01/12/2010

Pres. Yar’Adua undergoing treatment

Yar’Adua undergoing treatment for inflammation of the pericardium in Saudi Arabia, now in its second month. His long absence is causing anger in Nigeria.

07/30/2009

Police raze the compound of an Islamic religious sect, Boko Haram (a Hausa phrase connoting distaste for Western education), after a cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered. Police say they intended to begin a war against the state. The sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed.

12/12/2008

Supreme Court once again upholds Yar’Adua’s election.

02/26/2008

Supreme Court rejects suit about election fraud, saying the evidence presented was not enough to change the results.

10/03/2007

Praise for Yar’Adua and his unassuming style. He has announced that he wants to break up the notoriously corrupt state petroleum companies into several smaller ones, and cancelled oil deals that Obasanjo finalized just before he left office, showing Yar’Adua’s independence from the former leader.

05/14/2007

Election tribunal rules that government must produce evidence to support its declaration of Yar’Adua’s victory in the election and opposition must be able to examine ballots and other election materials. Opposition, however, gradually accepts fait accompli.

04/21/2007

Governing People’s Democratic Party wins elections, though there is widespread fraud. Yar’Adua wins 70% of the vote in the presidential election. Unrest seems likely.

04/18/2007

Opposition parties vow to boycott election unless it is delayed.

04/17/2007

Election commission says it will place Abubakar’s name on the ballot.

04/16/2007

High Court rules that Abubakar was illegally excluded from the ballot, as well as several state officials who were barred from last week’s election.

04/15/2007

After early polls show the government party leading in most state elections, rioting in several states. Concern over presidential voting to be held later this week.

04/03/2007

Court of Appeal rules that the National Electoral Commission has the right to keep candidates off the ballot. A few hours later, the Federal High Court rules that Abubakar’s name must be on the ballot. His challenge to his indictment will be heard by another court on 4/29, after the 4/21 election. If he wins that case, the election could be nullified.

03/15/2007

Abubakar kept off ballot because of corruption indictment.

03/08/2007

Umaru Yar’Adua, candidate of governing party, falls ill, although the seriousness of his illness is not clear. He has a kidney ailment. Some believe that he was nominated so that Obasanjo can run the country from behind the scenes.

02/20/2007

Court of Appeal says Obasanjo cannot unseat Vice-President Abubakar.

12/20/2006

Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, in a power struggle with Obasanjo, is nominated by opposition Action Congress for president. Obasanjo barred him from being nominated by All Nigeria People’s Party.

12/17/2006

The All Nigeria People’s Party, the main opposition, chooses Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim from the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, who took power in a 1983 military coup and ruled for two years in an authoritarian and conservative style. He is a kinsman of Yar’Adua.

12/16/2006

Ruling People’s Democratic Party chooses little-known governor Umaru Yar’Adua of northern Katsina staste to succeed Obasanjo.

11/23/2006

Murder of candidates and corruption dominate local politics.

11/02/2006

Army colonel Muhammadu Saa Abubakar III is appointed Sultan of Sokoto, spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims, estimated to be about 70 million. He is currently a military attaché to Pakistan.

05/18/2006

Parliament refuses to change the constitution to allow Obasanjo to run, and he says he will abide by the decision.

03/09/2006

Joint committee of the National Assembly to recommend a constitutional amendment that will allow Obasanjo to run for a third term. The amendment will have to be approved by two-thirds of the National Assembly and then by two-thirds majority in all the state legislatures. It is opposed by Muslims in the north.

02/25/2006

Rise of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta

Tiny militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, after attacks on oil facilities, has shut down 1/5 of Nigerian oil production.

06/11/2005

Babangida allows formation of political parties. Two parties are formed at his behest, the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention.

10/09/2004

Union chief is arrested day in advance of general strike that government has called illegal.

03/29/2004

Obasanjo's party wins overwhelmingly in an election marked by murders and accusations of fraud.

05/30/2003

Obasanjo sworn in.

05/23/2003

Supreme Court to rule on whether to block Obasanjo from being sworn in.

04/22/2003

Obasanjo reelected president

Obasanjo officially declared reelected, but Buhari says election was fraudulent and calls for new election.

04/19/2003

Voting for president.

01/08/2003

All Nigeria People's Party, main opposition party, nominates former military ruler, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for April 19 elections. He is a Muslim from the north.

01/05/2003

Obasanjo easily wins nomination for elections later this year.

02/07/2002

Continuing ethnic and religious violence has resulted in 10,000 dead since beginning of civilian rule in 1999. Obasanju warns that it threatens country.

10/18/2000

New rioting between Yoruba and Hausa in Lagos.

02/22/2000

Agitation to impose sharia law incites fighting between police, Christians, and Muslims and leaves many dead in northern town.

11/28/1999

Widespread ethnic fighting between Yoruba and Hausa in Lagos kills many and drives many out. It began as fight for control of food market, but is also a sign of deeper problems and distrust of Obasanjo by Hausa and Fulani tribes in north.

06/07/1999

Continued fighting in Warri, at the center of oil country. All three tribes in the area — Urhobos joining Ijaws against Itsekiri — now involved.

03/01/1999

Obansanjo appears to have won handily, with over 60% of the vote, with most of it counted from the major areas.

02/27/1999

Voting for president.

02/16/1999

Two opposition parties, the All People's Party, of the north, and the Alliance for Democracy, of the south, pick former Finance Minister and Alliance member Olu Falae as presidential candidate.

02/1999

People's Democratic Party, now the dominant party, nominates Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president who voluntarily gave up power. He is a Yoruba Christian southerner in this country long ruled by northern Muslims.

06/09/1998

Abubakar pledges a return to civilian government. by 10/1.

06/08/1998

Abacha dies; Gen. Abubakar named president

Abacha dies, evidently of natural causes. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar is named chief of state.

09/1994

Abacha decrees that the government is not subject to the courts.

12/17/1993

Abacha takes power

Shonekan forced out by Defense Minister Sani Abacha, who takes control of the government.

11/18/1993

Abacha bans all political activity including the Electoral Commission, all political parties and state, local and federal governments. Military commanders will replace civilians.

08/26/1993

Babangida resigns and installs new interim government with Shonekan as its head.

06/26/1993

Babangida announces a new election, but bars previous candidates from running because of their "abuse" of election system.

06/23/1993

Babangida annuls election.

06/13/1993

National Electoral Commission, surprisingly announcing unofficial results early, says that returns from fourteen of the country's thirty states show Social Democratic Party, led by Moshood Abiola, leading.

06/12/1993

Presidential election held.

02/02/1993

Shonekan appointed head of state

Babangida forms Transitional National Council to move toward civilian government, appointing Ernest Shonekan, a 57-year-old lawyer educated at Harvard, to be its head and chief of state. There are 32 members of the interim government all together, most of them friends or political allies of Babangida.

11/18/1992

Gen Babangida postpones for the third time transfer of power to civilian electees.

08/27/1992

National Election Commission annuls first round of presidential election due to irregularities.

04/22/1990

Babangida puts down coup led by Major Gideon Orkar.

08/27/1985

Gen. Babangida takes power

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida of the Supreme Military Council takes power in a coup, overthrowing Buhari.

12/31/1983

Major Gen. Buhari takes power

Major General Muhammadu Buhari overthrows elected Pres. Shehu Shagari. Among the participants in the coup are Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Brigadier Sani Abacha, and businessman Moshood Abiola. The Supreme Military Council is formed to govern the country.

10/01/1979

Alhaji Shehu Shagari is elected president in a rare peaceful transition to civilian rule.

09/21/1978

Ban on political activity is lifted and the draft new constitution is published.

02/13/1976

Obasanjo takes power

Mohammed is assassinated by junior officer during a coup led by Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka, but the coup is put down by the military and the government taken over by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and Gen. Theophilus Danjuma. Obasanjo is appointed head of state and asserts that there will be a transition to democracy, beginning with a new constitution that creates the Second Nigerian Republic.

07/1975

General Murtala Mohammed takes control of the state in another coup by northern army officers, overthrowing Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

01/15/1970

Biafra rejoins Nigeria.

01/12/1970

Cease-fire in Biafra.

05/30/1967

Biafra created

Eastern region declares independence as the Republic of Biafra. Starvation becomes part of the Nigerian strategy for ending the resulting civil war.

07/28/1966

Gen. Murtala Muhammed, a northerner, leads a counter-coup to take control of the state. Aguiyi-Ironsi is killed. Although Muhammed’s original goal may have been secession of the north, but the plan is aborted and a junior officer not previously involved with the politics of the coup leaders, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, is named head of state.

01/16/1966

Gen. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi seizes power.

01/15/1966

Regional tensions generate a coup

Coup by mostly Igbo military officers, who kill Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa among many others. The predominantly Muslim agricultural north dominates the politics, and often has more of the south's oil than the south does. The wealthy Christian south, which produces the oil, often fears the north. Similar fears by easterners were the cause of the coups of 1967 and the civil war of 1967-1970, in which the east tried to secede to form a new state, Biafra. Northerners speak Hausa or Fulani, southerners Yoruba, easterners, Ibo.

10/01/1960

Independence

Nigeria becomes independent and part of the British Commonwealth.