Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi
2nd Head of State of Nigeria
In office
16 January 1966 – 29 July 1966
Chief of StaffBabafemi Ogundipe
Preceded byNnamdi Azikiwe
Succeeded byYakubu Gowon
General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army
In office
February 1965 – 15 January 1966
PresidentNnamdi Azikiwe
Prime MinisterTafawa Balewa
Preceded byChristopher Welby-Everard
Succeeded byYakubu Gowon
Personal details
Born(1924-03-03)3 March 1924
Umuahia, Southern Region, British Nigeria
(now in Abia State, Nigeria)
Died29 July 1966(1966-07-29) (aged 42)
Lalupon, Western Region (now in Oyo State), Nigeria
Political partyNone (military)
SpouseVictoria Aguiyi-Ironsi
OccupationMilitary officer
Awards
Nickname"Ironside"[1]
Military service
Allegiance British Empire (to 1960)
 Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1942–1966
Rank Major general
UnitCommander, 2nd Brigade
CommandsForce Commander, ONUC

Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi GCFR MVO MBE (3 March 1924 – 29 July 1966) was a Nigerian general who was the first military head of state of Nigeria. He was appointed to head the country after the 15 January 1966 military coup.

He ruled from 16 January 1966,[2] until his assassination on 29 July in the same year, by a group of mutinous Northern Nigerian officers and men. The revolt was led by Major Murtala Mohammed and included Captain Theophilus Danjuma, Lieutenant Muhammadu Buhari, Lieutenant Ibrahim Babangida and Lieutenant Sani Abacha and became popularly referred to as the July counter-coup.[3]

  1. ^ Nowa, Omoigui. "Nicknames, Slogans, Local and Operational Names Associated with the Nigerian Civil War". Dawodu.com. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Aguiyi-ironsi". Vanguard News. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  3. ^ "July 29,1966 counter-coup: Africa's bloodiest coup d'état". Vanguard. Retrieved 6 July 2024.