Abdulsalami: Soothsayer’s 1952 Prediction About IBB and the Presidency

• Abdulsalami Abubakar revealed that a soothsayer predicted Ibrahim Babangida’s leadership in Nigeria during a 1952 prophecy shared at a memoir launch

• The event, attended by prominent dignitaries, celebrated Babangida’s memoir while reflecting on their unexpected rise to military leadership

Former military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has shared how a soothsayer predicted Ibrahim Babangida’s rise to Nigeria’s leadership.

According to Abdulsalami, the prophecy was made in 1952, 33 years before IBB became Head of State.

He made this revelation on Thursday in Abuja during the launch of IBB’s memoir, A Journey in Service.

The event, which also included fundraising for the IBB Presidential Library, was attended by President Bola Tinubu, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, among other dignitaries.

Recalling the prediction, Abdulsalami, who was IBB’s neighbour in Minna, took the audience down memory lane.

“Growing up in Minna about 80 years ago, in 1952, a soothsayer told us that IBB would become Nigeria’s Head of State.

“We never believed him. At that time, Captain Gowon, a smart young officer, encouraged us to join the military. Our goal was simply to become captains and retire.

“But by God’s will, we rose to the rank of generals, and we eventually led this country. Looking back, our journey always brings smiles to our faces.”

Both men eventually ruled Nigeria at different times. IBB served as military ruler from 1985 to 1993, while Abdulsalami led the nation from 1998 to 1999, overseeing the transition to democratic rule.