Early Nigerian military officers were very privileged. Yakubu Gowon was just 12 years in the Nigerian Army when he became the country’s Head of State. On the other hand Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu was only 9 years in the Army when he led Biafra.

Gowon actually joined the Army when he was 20 in 1954. The following year, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant on October 19, 1955, which was his 21st birthday.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu joined the Army in 1957 enlisting as a private soldier at the Army Recruit Depot in Zaria. He was 23 years old (turning 24 later that year). He completed officer training at Eaton Hall and Mons Officer Cadet School, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in March 1958.

In 2025, 65 year old Nigerians are doing “On your mandate I shall stand