To mark 50 years since General Murtala Ramat Muhammed’s rise to power on July 29, 1975, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) has announced a year-long programme of national reflection and renewal aimed at honouring one of Nigeria’s most iconic leaders.
The commemorative activities, set to begin in August 2025, will spotlight General Muhammed’s short but impactful tenure—widely remembered for its sweeping reforms, anti-corruption stance, and pan-African vision. Central to the anniversary programme is the Murtala Muhammed Legacy Policy Dialogue Series, a monthly forum running until January 2026 that will address pressing national issues including governance, education, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and youth development.
Led by Dr. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, the Foundation’s CEO and daughter of the late Head of State, the initiative seeks to translate Murtala Muhammed’s values into modern solutions. “This is more than a memorial,” she said. “It’s a call to action—to lead with courage, integrity, and a sense of responsibility to the people.”
The celebration will peak on February 13, 2026, with an international conference in Abuja, drawing global leaders and scholars to explore how General Muhammed’s legacy can guide contemporary leadership across Africa.
Other highlights include the launch of the Murtala Muhammed Centre for Governance and Entrepreneurship, a new anti-corruption campaign, the rollout of a Murtala Social Index to track development impact, a rural healthcare initiative, and the restoration of national monuments such as the Ikoyi Cenotaph.
With these initiatives, MMF aims to preserve the ideals of honesty, justice, and service that defined Murtala Muhammed’s leadership—while charting a bold future for Nigeria and the continent.
