BABANGIDA AT 85: BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OVERSHADOWED BY ANGRY REACTIONS FROM NIGERIANS

Former military Head of State Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has faced a wave of criticism from Nigerians as he marks his 85th birthday.

Rather than the usual stream of birthday wishes, some Nigerians took to social media to express their anger and disappointment, with several comments questioning the impact of his time in power on the country.

One commenter asked:

«“Are you proud of the country you once governed?”»

The reactions have once again reopened debates about Nigeria’s political history and the legacies of its former leaders.

Some Nigerians have similarly pointed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, arguing that the country’s continuing challenges have left former leaders facing renewed scrutiny over the decisions they made while in office.

While Babangida’s supporters have continued to celebrate his 85th birthday, his critics say the occasion has also become an opportunity to revisit unresolved questions about Nigeria’s past and present.

At 85, Babangida’s birthday has sparked a bigger question: What legacy do Nigeria’s former leaders leave behind?