Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retired), has revealed that he nearly appointed General Ibrahim Babangida as his Aide-de-Camp (ADC) during his tenure.

Gowon, who led the Nigerian military during the civil war, made this known at the launch of Babangida’s book, A Journey in Service, in Abuja on Friday.

He expressed pride in witnessing Babangida’s journey, not just through the book but also in his military and political career. “I have known Babangida since his early days as a young soldier,” he said.

“At some point, I was highly impressed by his intelligence and exceptional skills, to the extent that I almost appointed him as my ADC,” Gowon stated. However, he added, “That story has its place, and I will leave it to him to share the full details for those who were not directly involved.”

Gowon described Babangida as one of Nigeria’s finest military officers, calling him a brilliant yet humble leader with a natural gift for governance.

“It is no surprise that he rose to the pinnacle of political leadership during the military era,” he said.

According to him, Babangida’s administration remains one of the most remarkable in Nigeria’s military leadership history. “I say this without hesitation, for many reasons,” he noted.

He further explained that Babangida combined military discipline with political acumen, effectively managing governance while maintaining control over the armed forces.

“He took pride in his military legacy, just as the Nigerian military also takes pride in his achievements in national leadership,” Gowon concluded.