PRESIDENT TINUBU, DANJUMA TO HEADLINE GOWON AUTOBIOGRAPHY LAUNCH IN ABUJA
ABUJA, NIGERIA – MAY 12, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd), are set to headline the public presentation of the long-awaited autobiography of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, scheduled to hold on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Abuja.
The event, which will take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, is expected to attract top government officials, military veterans, diplomats, political leaders, and other dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will attend as the special guest of honour, while Theophilus Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and one-time Minister of Defence, will formally unveil the autobiography.
The 881-page publication, produced by Havilah Group, offers a detailed personal account of Gowon’s life, leadership journey, and reflections on some of the most defining moments in Nigeria’s history, including the 30-month Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970.
The book also traces Gowon’s early years, military career, and emergence as Nigeria’s leader during one of the country’s most turbulent political periods. Born in 1934, Gowon became Head of State and Commander-in-Chief on August 1, 1966, serving the nation for nine years.
Following his exit from office, Gowon pursued academic advancement and earned a doctorate degree in Political Science from the University of Warwick in 1984.
Since leaving public office, the elder statesman has remained active in peacebuilding, national development, and humanitarian advocacy. He founded the “Nigeria Prays” movement and has championed campaigns against guinea worm, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through the Yakubu Gowon Centre.
Gowon also serves as Nigeria’s National Goodwill Ambassador for the control of viral hepatitis, further cementing his legacy as a statesman committed to national unity and public health advocacy.
