Why I finally wrote my story after decades, says Gowon

By Luminous Jannamike

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retired), explains that he chose to release his long‑awaited autobiography after years of silence to help Nigerians grasp the rationale behind some of the most difficult decisions made during his tenure, especially those related to the Nigerian Civil War.

The memoir will be officially unveiled on 19 May at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. It is expected to rekindle national discussions on leadership, conflict, unity and the challenges of governing Nigeria during one of its most turbulent eras.

Gowon’s book offers his personal perspective on events that have largely been recounted through the lenses of historians, political actors and former military officers over the past fifty years.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is slated to attend as the special guest of honour, while former Defence Minister and ex‑Chief of Army Staff Theophilus Danjuma will formally present the autobiography. The 881‑page volume is being published by Havilah Group.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Gowon said, “By choosing to write, I took a conscious decision not to reopen old wounds but to clarify my thinking on policies and plans at a period often narrated by others.

“My story is one of conviction evaluated by circumstances at the crossroads of expectations and reality.”

The autobiography traces Gowon’s early life, his military career and his abrupt rise to Nigeria’s leadership on 1 August 1966, amid a period of political instability and military upheaval.

A substantial portion of the work is devoted to the 30‑month Nigerian Civil War (1967‑1970), a pivotal conflict that continues to hold political and emotional significance across the country.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Havilah Group, Lanre Adesuyi, described the project as a valuable addition to Nigeria’s historical record.

“We consider this project a significant milestone in our journey, one that reflects our commitment to preserving history, promoting thought leadership, and contributing meaningfully to national discourse,” Adesuyi said.

The Abuja ceremony is expected to draw senior government officials, diplomats, military veterans and political figures from across the nation, underscoring Gowon’s enduring influence in public affairs decades after he left office.

Born in 1934, Gowon served as Nigeria’s Head of State and Commander‑in‑Chief for nine years before being removed from power in 1975.

After his tenure, he earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Warwick in 1984 and subsequently focused on peacebuilding, national development and faith‑based advocacy.

Through the Yakubu Gowon Centre and the “Nigeria Prays” movement, he has led campaigns against diseases such as guinea worm, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and he serves as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the control of viral hepatitis in Nigeria.

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