7 Awesome Facts About Nigeria’s New President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari is the new President of Nigeria. He’s expected to be sworn in today (29th May, 2015).  President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory against Goodluck Jonathan is historic as it marks the first time that an opposition candidate has defeated an incumbent.  Below are 7 awesome facts about the new President who has immense issues to address, including Boko Haram, job creation, fuel and economic crisis

1. Muhammadu Buhari was born on 17 December 1942, in Daura, Katsina State, and he’s twenty-third child to his father Adamu and mother Zulaihat.

2. Muhammadu Buhari attended primary school in Daura and Mai’adua before proceeding to Katsina Model School in 1953, and Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) from 1956 to 1961. He then joined the Nigerian Military Training School in Kaduna, where his military career began.

3. Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1961, when he attended the Nigerian Military Training College (in February 1964, it was renamed the Nigerian Defence Academy) in Kaduna. From 1962 to 1963, he underwent officer cadets training at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot in England.

4. Muhammadu Buhari is not new to leading the Nigeria.  Buhari led Nigeria as a military ruler for 20 months from 1983 until 1985 when he was ousted in a military coup – the same coup that brought him to power. His 20-month rule was known for what he described as a “war on indiscipline,” a tough regime which some say was marred by human rights abuses.

5. He has a reputation for being an “anti-corruption leader,” which stems from his days as military ruler when he arrested, tried, and jailed over 400 politicians and businessmen for corruption and also publically executed drug dealers.

6. Muhammadu Buhari pledged that he is a “converted democrat.” Before the Presidential Election on March 28th, at an Interactive Session with the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) in Abuja, Buhari emphasised:

“I am a former-former, note the emphasis on the word ‘former’-military ruler and now a converted democrat, who is ready to operate under democratic norms.”

7. The March 28th election and victory marked Buhari’s fourth run for President.  He previously ran for President and lost in 2003 against Olusegun Obasango, then in 2007 against Umaru Yar’Adua, and in 2011 against Goodluck Jonathan.