A Journey in Service is the autobiography of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), Nigeria's former military president. Released in February 2025, the memoir offers a comprehensive look into Babangida's life, from his early years to his tenure as Nigeria's leader, and provides insights into the nation's political evolution during his time in office.
Background and development.
"A Journey in Service" is an autobiography by Ibrahim Babangida, in which he recounts his life, military career, and time in leadership. The book was developed over several years and provides Babangida’s perspective on key political and economic events that took place during his tenure from 1985 to 1993.
Babangida’s decision to write the book was reportedly influenced by encouragement from associates such as Dr. Chidi Amuta and Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, who suggested that he document his experiences for historical reference. Both individuals, known for their contributions to Nigerian literature and media, emphasized the importance of preserving firsthand accounts of significant events in the country’s history.
The memoir presents Babangida's personal account of his life and tenure, discussing both achievements and controversies. The writing process involved recollecting and documenting events, with an emphasis on balancing personal experiences with historical context.
The book, spanning 420 pages, is structured into multiple sections covering Babangida's early life in Minna, Nigeria, his military career, and key events in his political journey. It details his deployment to the 1st Division under General Mohammed Shuwa during the Nigerian Civil War, his role in military operations within Biafran territory, and his involvement in the 1975 Nigerian coup d'état. The book also examines major events such as the 1985 coup that brought him to power, the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), and the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Babangida provides his perspective on these events, outlining the context and reasoning behind his decisions.
Release and reception.
"A Journey in Service" was officially launched on February 20, 2025, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The event also served as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library. Olusegun Obasanjo chaired the occasion, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the special guest of honor. The keynote address was delivered by Nana Akufo-Addo, and the book was reviewed by Yemi Osinbajo. Other notable attendees included former Nigerian leaders Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan. The event was marked by discussions on Nigeria's political history and Babangida's role in it.
The book launch event included financial contributions from several Nigerian business figures, totaling nearly ₦17 billion. Aliko Dangote pledged ₦8 billion, distributed as ₦2 billion annually over four years, while Abdul Samad Rabiu contributed ₦5 billion. T.Y. Danjuma committed ₦3 billion, and Arthur Eze donated ₦500 million. These funds were intended to support the development of the IBB Presidential Library, which aims to serve as a center for preserving Nigeria's arts, political, and military history.
Critical Reception
Prof Yemi Osinbajo, in his review, highlighted the book as a significant contribution to understanding Nigeria's political history. He noted that it offers insights into the complexities of governance and the challenges faced during Babangida's tenure.
Conversely, other critics argue that the autobiography serves more as a self-justification than a candid reflection. Olufunmike Imoiko, writing for "The Lagos Review", described the memoir as an attempt to sanitize Babangida's controversial role in Nigeria's history. She points out that while the book presents his version of events, it often sidesteps or downplays the more contentious aspects of his rule, such as the annulment of the June 12 election and the economic hardships resulting from SAP. Similarly, Festus Adedayo, in the "Nigerian Tribune", critiqued the memoir for omitting certain harsh realities Nigerians faced during Babangida's regime. He suggests that while the book covers various events of his administration, it fails to fully acknowledge the negative impacts of certain policies and decisions.
Controversy.
The release of "A Journey in Service" by Ibrahim Babangida generated debate, particularly regarding his depiction of the January 1966 coup. In the memoir, Babangida states that the coup was not orchestrated by the Igbo ethnic group, presenting a perspective that differs from some historical narratives. This claim prompted responses from various groups, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization.
Following the book's publication, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called for a public apology from Nigeria President Bola Tinubu and requested ₦10 trillion in compensation, citing longstanding grievances related to perceived marginalization since 1966. They argued that misrepresentations of the coup’s origins had contributed to discrimination against the Igbo community. Similarly, the Njiko Igbo Forum, an affiliate of Ohanaeze, advocated for ₦100 trillion in reparations, highlighting the economic and social impact of historical narratives surrounding the coup. 
The book reignited discussions about the legal and ethical implications of the annulment, as well as broader concerns regarding accountability and justice for decisions made during Nigeria’s military rule. Babangida’s statements in the memoir led human rights lawyer Femi Falana to consider pursuing legal action against him.
Falana, who was arrested and detained in 1993 for protesting the annulment, maintains that Babangida’s remarks support his long-held belief that the election was wrongfully annulled. He argues that his prosecution at the time was unwarranted and violated his fundamental human rights. Asserting that Babangida’s acknowledgment highlights the unjust nature of the arrests and detentions of pro-democracy activists during that period.