Ernest Shonekan Biography: Biography Of Ernest Shonekan Net Worth, Background, Education

FROM LAGOS TO BRITAIN

Shonekan was born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos to a civil servant father who originated from Abeokuta. He got his earlier education at the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College before getting a law degree from the University of London. He later attended the Harvard Business School.

In 1964, Shonekan was employed by the United Africa Company of Nigeria, at the time a subsidiary of the United Africa Company, which had a reputation dating back to the British colonial days. A quick rise through the ranks saw him land a place on the board of directors at the age of 40. He was made chairman and managing director in 1980. He was given the title of Abese of Egbaland in 1981.

On January 2, 1993, Babangida appointed Shonekan as the head of the transitional council that was created to be the initial stage of the military regime’s eventual handover to a civilian government that should have emerged from the presidential election later that year.

However, June 12, 1993, came and the election rolled by and Babangida annulled the results after Moshood Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was said to have taken a significant lead over his opponent, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). A crisis ensued with Abiola and his supporters pushing for a declaration of victory.

Babangida, instead, stepped aside on August 27, 1993, but not before he signed a decree establishing the interim national government, which saw Shonekan become the interim head of state.

EIGHTY-THREE DAYS IN OFFICE

Shonekan became the Nigerian head of state with the shortest term in office after he was ousted by Sani Abacha, his defence minister, on November 17, 1993. He spent just 83 days as the head of the Nigerian government. His interim government was, however, largely unpopular with the people despite naming Abiola as his vice-president.

Under his brief leadership, the strident economic policies of his predecessor began degrading, which many have linked to the uncertain political terrain following the June 12 annulment.

Before settling and building a structure to create impact, he was deposed in a coup headed by Abacha.