Historical Background of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

The chapter examines the historical background of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. The term ‘Fourth Republic’ was coined to symbolise the country’s fourth attempt at democratisation after seemingly incessant military interference in Nigerian politics. The first attempt took place in 1960, a few months after the attainment of political independence. The attempt was short-lived, as the military quickly reversed the democratic gains of six years in 1966. In 1979, the military attempted to put Nigeria back on the path to democratisation, but as with the first attempt, the process was halted and reversed by another military intervention.