Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (1925–2018) was a towering figure in Nigerian history, serving as the first democratically elected Executive President of Nigeria during the Second Republic (1979–1983). A soft-spoken teacher-turned-politician, he was known for his “Green Revolution” and a consensus-driven leadership style that contrasted sharply with the military regimes that both preceded and followed his tenure.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari |
| Born | February 25, 1925, Shagari, Sokoto State |
| Died | December 28, 2018 (Aged 93), Abuja, Nigeria |
| Presidency | October 1, 1979 – December 31, 1983 |
| Political Party | National Party of Nigeria (NPN) |
| Legacy Pillars | Green Revolution, Low-cost Housing, and Ajaokuta Steel |
| Successor | Muhammadu Buhari (via military coup) |
The Shagari Presidency (1979–1983)
Shagari took office after 13 years of military rule, inheriting a nation eager for democratic stability.
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The Green Revolution: His flagship program aimed to make Nigeria self-sufficient in food production by modernizing agriculture and providing subsidized fertilizers and machinery to farmers.
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Industrialization & Housing: He commissioned the Ajaokuta Steel Mill, the largest steel project in Africa, and launched a massive public housing scheme that sought to build 200,000 units across the country.
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Foreign Policy: Shagari was a fierce opponent of apartheid. He provided significant financial and logistical support to liberation movements in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, cementing Nigeria’s role as a “Frontline State.”
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Economic Challenges: His second term was marred by a global oil glut that crashed Nigeria’s revenues, leading to strict austerity measures and the controversial “Ghana Must Go” order—the mass expulsion of West African migrants in 1983.
Family and Legacy in 2026
As of January 2026, the Shagari family continues to be honored as a cornerstone of Nigerian democratic history.
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Passing of the Last Matriarch: On November 10, 2025, the family announced the death of Hajiya Sutura (Saratu) Shehu Shagari, the former President’s last surviving wife, at the age of 89. Vice President Kashim Shettima led a high-powered federal delegation to Sokoto to condole with the family, describing her as an “embodiment of grace and humility.”
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Centenary Remembrance (2025): Throughout 2025, Nigeria marked the 100th anniversary of Shagari’s birth with various symposiums and historical exhibitions. These events reappraised his legacy, highlighting his role as a bridge-builder who prioritized national unity over ethnic politics.
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The Shagari Descendants: His children and grandchildren remain active in Nigerian public life. Captain Muhammad Bala Shagari (the eldest son) and Mukhtari Shagari (former Deputy Governor of Sokoto) often represent the family at state functions, ensuring the former President’s “politics without bitterness” philosophy remains part of the national discourse.
Historical Reappraisal
While his administration was toppled by a military coup led by Muhammadu Buhari in 1983 amid allegations of corruption within the wider NPN party, Shagari himself was personally cleared of all charges of embezzlement in 1986. He spent his later years as an esteemed elder statesman, consulted by successive leaders for his wisdom and experience.