Then he became Head of State at 36. In the 200 days he was in power, he shook every aspect of Nigeria, tackling corruption, reforming the public service, establishing seven universities, creating a new federal capital and redirecting Nigerian foreign policy. At that period, the Sahel Region was experiencing one of the worst droughts in history and cattle importation from Chad and Niger had dried up. Muhammed authorized the importation of beef from Argentina. This was a big relief to citizens across the country.
Muhammed assassination was a great blow to the new Nigeria that was emerging when our leaders could move about the country with minimal fuss. He was a different kind of ruler; decisive, firm, competent, empathic and industrious. He got things done and made Nigerians proud of their country. He was young, handsome and attractive. He was loved deeply and Nigerians responded to him with enthusiasm. He became the first Nigerian ruler to be identified by his first name; Murtala. It was as if there was a covenant between him and his people. Then he was assassinated at 37.
Today, Nigerians are redefining the meaning of youths. Many of our young governors are in their fifties. Political parties are parading youth leaders in their forties and fifties. There are many of our citizens who are in their thirties and forties, believing wrongly that they are still too young to marry! They need to know that the wheel of time moves ceaselessly. It does not wait for anyone. It did not wait for Murtala Muhammed. Therefore, in fifty years, another generation of grateful Africans would still celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of a great man.