Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu was Nigeria’s first Minister of Defence after the country gained independence in 1960.

Born in 1909 in Bulala, located in present-day Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria, Ribadu began his political journey in the Northern Region and became a member of the Northern House of Assembly in Kaduna in 1947.

The Minister of Defence in Nigeria holds a senior position within the Federal Executive Council, overseeing the Ministry of Defence. This role involves managing all branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces and ensuring the maintenance of a modern, competent, and professional military to protect the nation’s territory, maritime interests, airspace, and uphold the constitution.

Ribadu’s political career advanced swiftly. He emerged as a leader of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), which was established in 1949. Initially a cultural organization, the NPC transitioned into a political party to align with the requirements of the Macpherson Constitution.

Under the leadership of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and a dominant political figure of the time, the NPC secured all the Northern seats in Nigeria’s first general elections of 1951/52. Ribadu was among the successful candidates elected to the Federal House of Representatives in Lagos, where he was appointed as the Minister of Natural Resources.

Before his ministerial appointment, Ribadu served as a director of the Nigerian Produce Marketing Company. He resigned from this position to take up his ministerial duties.

In 1954, Ribadu was appointed as the Federal Minister of Land, Mines, and Power, a position he held until 1957 when he was assigned the portfolio of Lagos Affairs. He also served as the second Vice President of the NPC and was one of the most influential leaders in the NPC-dominated federal government.

In recognition of his services, Ribadu was awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1952.

As Minister of Defence, Ribadu oversaw a significant expansion of the Nigerian Army and Navy and was instrumental in the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force. He also founded the Defence Industries Corporation in Kaduna, the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, and a Second Reconnaissance Squadron in Abeokuta.

Ribadu was a prominent and influential figure, often regarded as the de facto Deputy Prime Minister. His colleagues frequently referred to him as the “Power of Powers.” He completed the Nigerianisation of the Nigerian Army and is remembered as one of the most outstanding Defence Ministers in Nigeria’s history.

Some political analysts believe that had Ribadu been alive on January 15, 1966, Nigeria’s first military coup might not have occurred.

On May 1, 1965, Ribadu was scheduled to be honored alongside Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa by the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, with gold medals of the Usmamiya order in Kaduna. However, he passed away that morning at the age of 55. Notably, Nigeria’s current First Lady, Aisha Buhari, is a direct descendant of Ribadu.

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