The Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) has announced a comprehensive programme of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of General Murtala Ramat Muhammed’s rise to power, aimed at reflecting on his enduring legacy and mapping new strategies for Nigeria’s and Africa’s development.
The commemoration, which begins in August 2025, will feature the Murtala Muhammed Legacy Policy Dialogue Series, a monthly high-level forum that will run until January 2026.
General Murtala Muhammed assumed Nigeria’s leadership on 29 July 1975, ushering in a reform-focused era that continues to shape governance in the country and Africa’s vision for self-determination.
The dialogue series will bring together policymakers, civil society leaders, development experts and stakeholders to deliberate on pressing issues including anti-corruption, education reform, youth inclusion, food security, entrepreneurship, migration, and digital innovation. Each session will revisit the principles Murtala Muhammed championed while producing practical strategies for contemporary governance.
Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, Chief Executive of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, described the golden jubilee as an opportunity to reignite the national consciousness inspired by the late Head of State.
“Although his tenure was brief, General Murtala Muhammed’s leadership embodied courage, integrity, and deep accountability to the Nigerian people. This commemoration seeks to draw from that example to confront today’s challenges with the same determination and vision,” she said.
The anniversary celebrations will conclude with an International Conference in Abuja on 13 February 2026, gathering global leaders, academics, and change agents to examine the relevance of Murtala Muhammed’s ideals in today’s governance and development discourse.
Throughout the year, MMF will also launch several legacy projects. These include the opening of the Murtala Muhammed Centre for Governance and Entrepreneurship to provide leadership training and youth capacity building; an anti-corruption drive modelled on his uncompromising stance against misrule; the rollout of the Murtala Social Index to monitor development outcomes; and a healthcare outreach programme for underserved populations. Plans are also underway to restore historic national monuments such as the Ikoyi Cenotaph as part of the commemorative initiatives.
MMF has invited Nigerians, Africans, and international partners to join in renewing commitment to the values General Murtala Muhammed represented: integrity, justice, patriotism, and service to humanity. The Foundation reiterated its pledge to preserve his legacy while advancing a more inclusive, transparent, and visionary future for Nigeria and the continent.
