The Legacy of a Stateman
Long before he was a Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar was a decorated professional soldier. His rise to the highest office was not through coups or political maneuvering, but through decades of disciplined military service.
From Lebanon to Liberia
His resume reads like a history of international peacekeeping:
- UNIFIL Veteran: In 1978, he served as a Commanding Officer for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). His time in the Middle East honed his skills in navigating complex, multi-national conflict zones—skills that would later define his presidency.
- The ECOMOG Factor: As a senior officer, he was instrumental in the logistical and strategic planning for the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia, earning respect among West African military circles for his competence.
The Professional Path
Colleagues often describe him as a “Soldier’s Soldier.” He rose through the standard ranks—from the 82nd Division to the National War College—without the “political baggage” that plagued many officers of his generation. This professional neutrality was exactly why the military hierarchy trusted him to lead the country when General Abacha died; they knew he had no personal ambition for the throne.