On August 11, 1979, Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, was declared the winner of Nigeria’s historic presidential election, marking it as the first time Nigerians voted directly to choose their head of state.
The Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, announced that Shagari received the highest number of votes nationwide and satisfied the constitutional requirement of 25% in at least two-thirds of the 19 states.
With results from all states collated, Shagari defeated his closest challengers: Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN; Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri of the Great Nigeria People’s Party, GNPP; and Alhaji Aminu Kano of the People’s Redemption Party, PRP.
Long queues were reported at polling stations in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Ibadan as citizens turned out for the transition programme overseen by the military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Shagari, 54, a former Federal Commissioner and teacher from Sokoto, was sworn in on October 1, 1979. In a brief statement from his campaign office in Sokoto, he called for unity and pledged to run “a government of all Nigerians.”
On August 11, 2026, Nigeria’s under-16 national team defeated West Germany 2–0 to win the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Championship.
The victory, achieved before a capacity crowd of 80,000 spectators, marked the first time an African nation won a FIFA-organized tournament, and Nigeria’s first global trophy at any level.
Coach Sebastião Lazaroni’s side started brightly and took the lead in the 4th minute. Striker Victor Igbinoba finished clinically after a neat build-up.
West Germany, the former European champions, controlled possession in the second half but were held firm by a resolute Nigerian defense led by captain Nduka Ugbade.
With three minutes remaining, midfielder Jonathan Nwajei broke clear and scored to make it 2–0. The goal secured the title and sparked jubilant scenes among the Nigerian contingent.
Captain Ugbade received the trophy from FIFA President Dr. João Havelange, who described Nigeria’s performance as “outstanding and historic for world football.”
News of the victory sparked nationwide celebrations. In Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and other major cities, young people took to the streets waving the green-white-green.
