Ernest Shonekan: Former Interim Nigerian Leader Dies at 85

• Chief Ernest Shonekan, an ex-Nigerian interim leader has died at the age of 85

• Shonekan is best known for heading the national government that succeeded General Ibrahim Babangida

• According to The Vanguard, the ex-leader died at the Evercare hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos state

Chief Ernest Shonekan, the leader of the interim National Government that succeeded the military rule of General Ibrahim Babangida has died.

The former Nigerian leader died on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the Evercare hospital in Lekki, Lagos state.
Shonekan was known for his role as the interim head of the Nigerian government between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993.

He vacated his position as the number one citizen in the country after he was ousted during a coup by General Sani Abacha in 1993.
Shoneken was a lawyer trained in Britain and he served as the Chief Executive of the United African Company of Nigeria Plc (UAC) before being appointed interim president in 1993.

Read also: Remembering the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)

Born on May 9, 1936, Ernest Shonekan hailed from Abeokuta Ogun State. He had his primary and secondary education at the CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College in Nigeria respectively.
His law degree was however obtained from the University of London. He also attended Harvard Business School.

Shonekan joined UAC in 1964 and rose through the ranks till he became among the board of directors in 1976. He continued to make big strides and was appointed the chairman and managing director in 1980.

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