Olusegun Obasanjo

===Domestic policies===
Obasanjo continued the push for universal primary education in Nigeria, a policy inherited from Gowon.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=62}} He introduced the Primary Education Act in 1976;{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=90}} between 1975–76 and 1979–80, enrolment in free but voluntary primary schooling grew from 6&nbsp;million to 12.5&nbsp;million, although there was a shortage of teachers and materials to cope with the demand.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=62}} In the 1977–78 school year, Obasanjo introduced free secondary educational in technical subjects, something extended to all secondary schooling in 1979–80.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=63}}

Concomitantly, Nigeria cut back on university funding; in 1978 it ceased issuing student loans and trebled university food and accommodation charges.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=63}} Student protests erupted in several cities, resulting in fatal shootings in Lagos and [[Zaria]]. In response to the unrest, Obasanjo closed several universities, banned political activity on campus, and proscribed the [[National Union of Nigerian Students]].{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=63}} The severity of these measures was perhaps due to suspicions that the student unrest was linked to a planned military coup that was uncovered in February 1978.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=63}} Obasanjo was frustrated at the protesting student's behaviour, arguing that it reflected a turn away from traditional values such as respect for elders.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=63}}

As a consequence of Nigeria's state-directed development, the country saw a rapid growth in the [[public sector]].{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=62}} Evidence emerged of extensive corruption in the country's government, and while accusations were often made against Obasanjo himself, no hard evidence was produced.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=66}} To hinder the image of corruption in the government, Obasanjo's administration banned the use of [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] cars as government transport and instead introduced more modest [[Peugeot|Peugeot 504]]s.{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=88}} The import of [[champagne]] was also banned.{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=88}} Pushing for cut-backs in the military, Obasanjo's government saw 12,000 soldiers demobilised over the course of 1976 and 1977. These troops went through new rehabilitation centres to assist them in adjusting to civilian life.{{sfn|Derfler|2011|p=88}}

Obasanjo was also accused of being responsible for political repression. In one famous instance, the compound of the Nigerian musician and political activist [[Fela Kuti]], [[Kalakuta Republic]], was raided and burned to the ground after a member of his entourage was involved in an altercation with military personnel. Fela and his family were beaten and raped and his aged mother, the political activist and founding mother Chief [[Funmilayo Ransome Kuti]], was thrown from a window. This resulted in serious injuries, and eventually led to her death. Fela subsequently carried a coffin to the then presidential residence at [[Dodan Barracks]] in Lagos as a protest against the government's political repression.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Grass | first = Randall F. | title = Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: The Art of an Afrobeat Rebel | journal = The Drama Review| volume = 30| issue = 1| pages = 131–148| date =Spring 1986| doi = 10.2307/1145717 | jstor = 1145717}}</ref>