Former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, is set to unveil his long-awaited autobiography more than five decades after the Nigerian Civil War, offering a personal account of the conflict and other defining moments of his leadership.
The 881-page autobiography will be publicly presented on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Abuja, with President Bola Tinubu expected as the special guest of honour, while former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, will officially unveil the book.
The event will take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre and is expected to attract senior government officials, diplomats, military veterans, and dignitaries from across the country.
Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Gowon explained that the autobiography was written to provide insight into key decisions taken during his administration and not to reopen the painful memories of the civil war.
“My story is one of conviction evaluated by circumstances at the crossroads of expectations and reality,” Gowon stated.
The book, published by Havilah Group, chronicles Gowon’s early life, his unexpected rise to power, and his reflections on some of the most critical periods in Nigeria’s history, including the 30-month Nigerian Civil War fought between 1967 and 1970.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Havilah Group, Lanre Adesuyi, described the autobiography as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s historical records and national discourse.
“We consider this project a significant milestone in our journey, one that reflects our commitment to preserving history, promoting thought leadership, and contributing meaningfully to national discourse,” Adesuyi said.
Born in 1934, Gowon became Nigeria’s Head of State and Commander-in-Chief on August 1, 1966, serving for nine years during one of the country’s most turbulent periods.
Following his exit from office, Gowon earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Warwick in 1984 and later dedicated himself to peacebuilding, national development, and spiritual advocacy.
His post-service initiatives include the “Nigeria Prays” movement and campaigns against diseases such as guinea worm, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through the Yakubu Gowon Centre. He also serves as the National Goodwill Ambassador for the control of viral hepatitis in Nigeria.
