Birth of Sani Abacha
Birth of Sani Abacha
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Sanni Abacha Biography and Timeline
Follow Sanni Abacha through 17 dated historical records for Nigeria.
Sanni Abacha, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
17Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1943–1998Years on this page
1943
1983
Coup
Instrumental in a bloodless military coups dEtat that brings General Muhammadu Buhari to power
1985
Coup
When General Ibrahim Babangida is named President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abacha was named Chief of Army Staff. Instrumental in a bloodless military coups dEtat that removes General Muhammadu Buhari from power
Chief of Army Staff
When General Ibrahim Babangida is named President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abacha was named Chief of Army Staff
1990
Secretary of State for Defence
Appointed Minister of Defence
Secretary of State for Defence
Appointed Minister of Defence
1993
Constitution of Nigeria
Abacha brings civilian rule to an end in Nigeria
Coup
Abacha takes over power from the caretaker Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was put into place by General Babangida after his annulment of the 12 June 1993 elections (won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola) causes massive unrest. Abacha brings civilian rule to an end in Nigeria
Election
Abacha takes over power from the caretaker Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was put into place by General Babangida after his annulment of the 12 June 1993 elections (won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola) causes massive unrest
President of Nigeria
Appointed President of Nigeria. Abacha takes over power from the caretaker Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was put into place by General Babangida after his annulment of the 12 June 1993 elections (won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola) causes massive unrest
1995
Commonwealth
Ken Saro-Wiwa is hanged by Abacha, resulting in the immediate suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth of Nations
Death of Sanni Abacha
Ken Saro-Wiwa is hanged by Abacha, resulting in the immediate suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth of Nations. Abachas Government was accused of human rights abuses, especially after the hanging of Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa by the Auta tribunal
Politics
Abachas Government was accused of human rights abuses, especially after the hanging of Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa by the Auta tribunal
Auta Tribunal
Abacha takes over power from the caretaker Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was put into place by General Babangida after his annulment of the 12 June 1993 elections (won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola) causes massive unrest
1998
Burial
Buried on the same day as his death without an autopsy fueling speculation that he may have been poisoned by political rivals
Death of Sanni Abacha
General Abacha dies, allegedly of a heart attack, in June 1998 while at the presidential villa in Abuja. Buried on the same day as his death without an autopsy fueling speculation that he may have been poisoned by political rivals
Death of Sanni Abacha
Death of Sani Abacha
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.