Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon has explained why he decided to publish his long awaited autobiography after many years of silence, saying he wants Nigerians to better understand the difficult decisions taken during his leadership, especially throughout the Nigerian Civil War.
The autobiography is scheduled to be officially presented on May 19 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre and is expected to spark fresh national discussions on leadership, national unity, governance, and the burden of leading Nigeria during one of its most difficult periods.
According to Gowon, the memoir offers his personal perspective on historical events that have mostly been narrated by historians, politicians, and former military officers over the past several decades.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Gowon stated that his intention was not to reopen old wounds but to explain the reasoning behind some of the policies and decisions made during his administration.
The 881 page autobiography, published by Havilah Group, traces Gowon’s childhood, military career, and emergence as Nigeria’s leader in August 1966 following political inility and military unrest.
A major section of the memoir focuses on the Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970, one of the most significant conflicts in Nigeria’s history. The war remains a sensitive subject that continues to generate political and emotional conversations across the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend the event as special guest of honour, while former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma will officially unveil the book.
Chief Executive Officer of Havilah Group, Lanre Adesuyi, described the project as an important contribution to preserving Nigeria’s history and promoting national discourse.
Born in 1934, Gowon ruled Nigeria for nine years before he was removed from office in 1975. Since leaving power, he has focused on peacebuilding, national development, and humanitarian campaigns through the Yakubu Gowon Centre and Nigeria Prays movement.
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