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Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune: The Abacha and Obasanjo Years
In the cataclysmic decade that is the focus of this book, Nigeria was subject to several near-death experiences. These began when the country nearly tore itself apart after the northern-led military government annulled the results of a 1993 presidential election won by the southerner Moshood Abiola, and ended with former military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo being the unlikely conduit of democracy.
This mini-history of a nation's life also reflects on three mesmerizing protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola's wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader.
The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president.
This mini-history of a nation's life also reflects on three mesmerizing protagonists who personified that era. First up is Abiola: the multi-billionaire businessman who had his election victory voided by the generals who made him rich, and who was later assassinated. General Sani Abacha was the mysterious, reclusive ruler under whose watch Abiola was arrested and pro-democracy activists (including Abiola's wife) were murdered. He also oversaw a terrifying Orwellian state security operation. Although Abacha is today reviled as a tyrant, the author eschews selective amnesia, reminding Nigerians that they goaded him into seizing power. The third protagonist is Obasanjo, who emerged from prison to return to power as an elected civilian leader.
The penumbra of military rule still looms over Nigeria nearly twenty years after the soldiers departed, and key personalities featured in this book remain in government, including the current president.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2019
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349 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 17, 2020
All I can do is praise for Nigeria's Soldiers of Fortune. Max Siollun has established himself as a foremost Nigerian military historian. This is the third volume of his history on military rule in Nigeria, and like the previous two volumes, this was also a page-turner. There's little that's new in this book for those familiar with events in the country from 1993 to 99. And a dose of sensationalism. But what's especially attractive about Siollun and his volumes is the narrative style and meticulous research. I can't recommend it highly enough.
July 1, 2021
Max Siollun remains the chronicler-in-chief of not only the military history, but also, the overall epic of Nigerian political development. I have never met the man, but I must say that he is way ahead of his time . He has achieved what it means to be a Nigerian first, and whatever else after.
This is the third book I've read from this author and perhaps the best. This perfectly woven tale-like account of particular Nigerian leaders/personalities, against the backdrop of the progression of the national saga, highlights the venal nature and fundamental greed that necessitates the brinkmanship one so often sees in our political space. Sadly, much of this is to the detriment of our collective advancement.
Yes, I'd admit; I am part of the naive crop of Nigerians who think that good leaders would've gotten us to the 'Promised Land'. I shamelessly choose to ignore the absence of a shared national narrative and ethos, the sometimes problematic ethnic diversity of our people and the relatively recent founding of the country itself. However, I would aver that Nigerians regardless of their origin or mindset, do not deserve the kind of leaders they've gotten hitherto. We all like 'good thing'.
This book exposes the details behind the controversies and dark corners of our history. It does cover mainly the Abacha-Abiola/June-12 saga, but does not forget to touch on Sharia, extremism, the Wealth gap, the Niger Delta crisis and the hubris of the board members of 'Nigeria Inc.'
I love learning about my country and Max Siollun has done no small work in helping me toward this end. I hope he is actually recognized and given the respect he deserves. He should be tasked with drawing up the a compulsory history curriculum for the future Nigerian child.
This is the third book I've read from this author and perhaps the best. This perfectly woven tale-like account of particular Nigerian leaders/personalities, against the backdrop of the progression of the national saga, highlights the venal nature and fundamental greed that necessitates the brinkmanship one so often sees in our political space. Sadly, much of this is to the detriment of our collective advancement.
Yes, I'd admit; I am part of the naive crop of Nigerians who think that good leaders would've gotten us to the 'Promised Land'. I shamelessly choose to ignore the absence of a shared national narrative and ethos, the sometimes problematic ethnic diversity of our people and the relatively recent founding of the country itself. However, I would aver that Nigerians regardless of their origin or mindset, do not deserve the kind of leaders they've gotten hitherto. We all like 'good thing'.
This book exposes the details behind the controversies and dark corners of our history. It does cover mainly the Abacha-Abiola/June-12 saga, but does not forget to touch on Sharia, extremism, the Wealth gap, the Niger Delta crisis and the hubris of the board members of 'Nigeria Inc.'
I love learning about my country and Max Siollun has done no small work in helping me toward this end. I hope he is actually recognized and given the respect he deserves. He should be tasked with drawing up the a compulsory history curriculum for the future Nigerian child.
November 13, 2022
First my favourite quote from the book - "To discover that what we once thought was true was in fact false is not a mistake. It is the acquisition of knowledge" - (Preface xiv).
Like everything from Max Siollun, this is a 5 star book. As someone born at the tail end of the military era, I'm very glad that an astute writer like Max chronicles things with so much details it would seem as though you are living through the period in real time.
The decade covered (1993-2003) has been the most consequential in the present Nigerian (& greater Western Africa) contemporary history. First the entire period is riddled with so much conspiracy theories; from the annulment of the '93 election, to the ING and the selection of Shonekan to lead it to the Abacha coup to Ken Saro-Wiwa's hanging to the death of two national leaders in one month to the end of the military and the rise of Nigeria's present democracy. So much happened in one decade that it's almost impossible to fully grasp it without understanding the inner workings of the military mindset which Max breaks down perfectly.
The death of Abacha and Abiola within a month of each other has fuelled so much conspiracies theories you would think Nigeria was in a John Grisham simulation. Was Abacha poisoned by an apple? Did he die of a Viagra overdose whilst with Indian sex assassins? Or did he die of a boring heart attack?
Why did Abiola reject a perfectly orchestrated prison break (disguised as bail) from his tribesmen high up in government? Why did NADECO influence his decisions so much? Why did he refuse to give up his mandate to secure his freedom? Why was his security man who tasted all his foods & drinks before he did conveniently called out before he was served by an American delegate? Was he poisoned by the Americans? Why he killed by the military? Or did he die of a boring heart attack?
Max Siollun shows that most of the times, things are just as they appear to be.
Finally, his commentaries on the present state of Nigeria was something I found very insightful.
What was the Sharia controversy & why was it called "Political Sharia"?
How he broke down the rise of religious extremism & armed "revolution" in the North was simple & straight to the point.
You would fully understand the dichotomy of thought that evenly but sorely divides Nigeria.
This book is perfect.
Absolutely 5/5.
PS: It's very important to read the previous book (Soldiers of Fortune: The Buhari & Babangida years) to fully get the context of this one although it's not compulsory. You can read this as it is.
Final quote from the book - "Nigeria once placed their faith in their military as a political savior. The five brutal years from 1993 to 1998 were akin to a bitter medicine that Nigerians had to drink before being cured of their Stockholm syndrome regarding their military. Perhaps the military's greatest contribution to Nigeria's democracy was to rule long and badly enough to thoroughly ruin its reputation, and disabuse the public from considering it as an alternative government to civilians."
Like everything from Max Siollun, this is a 5 star book. As someone born at the tail end of the military era, I'm very glad that an astute writer like Max chronicles things with so much details it would seem as though you are living through the period in real time.
The decade covered (1993-2003) has been the most consequential in the present Nigerian (& greater Western Africa) contemporary history. First the entire period is riddled with so much conspiracy theories; from the annulment of the '93 election, to the ING and the selection of Shonekan to lead it to the Abacha coup to Ken Saro-Wiwa's hanging to the death of two national leaders in one month to the end of the military and the rise of Nigeria's present democracy. So much happened in one decade that it's almost impossible to fully grasp it without understanding the inner workings of the military mindset which Max breaks down perfectly.
The death of Abacha and Abiola within a month of each other has fuelled so much conspiracies theories you would think Nigeria was in a John Grisham simulation. Was Abacha poisoned by an apple? Did he die of a Viagra overdose whilst with Indian sex assassins? Or did he die of a boring heart attack?
Why did Abiola reject a perfectly orchestrated prison break (disguised as bail) from his tribesmen high up in government? Why did NADECO influence his decisions so much? Why did he refuse to give up his mandate to secure his freedom? Why was his security man who tasted all his foods & drinks before he did conveniently called out before he was served by an American delegate? Was he poisoned by the Americans? Why he killed by the military? Or did he die of a boring heart attack?
Max Siollun shows that most of the times, things are just as they appear to be.
Finally, his commentaries on the present state of Nigeria was something I found very insightful.
What was the Sharia controversy & why was it called "Political Sharia"?
How he broke down the rise of religious extremism & armed "revolution" in the North was simple & straight to the point.
You would fully understand the dichotomy of thought that evenly but sorely divides Nigeria.
This book is perfect.
Absolutely 5/5.
PS: It's very important to read the previous book (Soldiers of Fortune: The Buhari & Babangida years) to fully get the context of this one although it's not compulsory. You can read this as it is.
Final quote from the book - "Nigeria once placed their faith in their military as a political savior. The five brutal years from 1993 to 1998 were akin to a bitter medicine that Nigerians had to drink before being cured of their Stockholm syndrome regarding their military. Perhaps the military's greatest contribution to Nigeria's democracy was to rule long and badly enough to thoroughly ruin its reputation, and disabuse the public from considering it as an alternative government to civilians."
October 15, 2019
A concise overview of the state of the nation, from the sunset of Babangida's regime to the sunrise of Obasanjo's. It's a good read and helps you understand why things are the way they are as of now.
December 10, 2025
Soldiers of Fortune by Max Siollun is exceptionally well written, meticulously researched, and genuinely a page-turner. The book paints a deeply troubling picture of how Nigeria’s vast resources have been exploited for the benefit of a few, at the expense of the nation’s true potential. A country that once had every opportunity to become an unquestioned giant of Africa has instead suffered immense damage—nearly reduced to rubble through greed, corruption, and power struggles. It is both heartbreaking and shameful.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Nigeria. Beyond its strong storytelling and thorough research, it also resonated with me on a personal level. Many of the events described in the book are ones I remember vividly from my youth and early adulthood. Although I did not live in Nigeria at the time, I experienced the ripple effects of these events in other parts of Africa. Reading this book has been truly enlightening, as it helped me finally understand the forces behind many of those moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it both informative and deeply impactful.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Nigeria. Beyond its strong storytelling and thorough research, it also resonated with me on a personal level. Many of the events described in the book are ones I remember vividly from my youth and early adulthood. Although I did not live in Nigeria at the time, I experienced the ripple effects of these events in other parts of Africa. Reading this book has been truly enlightening, as it helped me finally understand the forces behind many of those moments. I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it both informative and deeply impactful.
Read
June 24, 2020Max Siollun is one (if there are any) unbiased chronicler of recent Nigerian history. His books while entertaining (as Nigeria is), remind us of where we have come from as a nation, the characters that have shaped this image and where we are yet to get to as a nation. Most accounts of these periods have previously been written by the actors, affiliates or fans and with the obvious bias based on where they stood and without the required self reflection on if any thing could have been done better. Max takes us away from this path, as best as he can and treats the issues like any proper storyteller should
October 9, 2025
Finished Soldier of Fortune and decided to read on—I really wanted more insights into the Abacha regime, and it truly was a bloody era. Having read both books, I’m still astounded by how some of these leaders are still praised by certain groups. Max Siollun has never disappointed in his writing, and this one was just as powerful. I genuinely wish we could turn books like these into honest conversations across classrooms and institutions in Nigeria. It’s high time we, as Nigerians, have a mature discussion about where we’ve been and how we plan to move forward. Nigerian history has never been disconnected from its past—there’s always a linkage, a pattern, and definitely a repetition.
May 26, 2020
Max Siollun towers above others when it comes to presenting and documenting Nigeria's history in relative to Military exploits since Independence in 1960. In this edition, he did justice to politics and administration from the Babangida years to ill-fated ING, Abacha and Obasanjo years. These are in addition military intervention during June 12, 1993 election crisis.
Here, Max was able to put records straight about suspicious death of the Dark Googled General and Chief MKO Abiola.
This book is recommended to anyone who wishes to know more about Nigerian politics.
Here, Max was able to put records straight about suspicious death of the Dark Googled General and Chief MKO Abiola.
This book is recommended to anyone who wishes to know more about Nigerian politics.
May 13, 2025
Earlier, I had read This House has Fallen and it was a pretty good book.
However, Siollun goes deep into history beyond the surface, providing information that has been mostly lost in Nigerian literature about military rule.
From Babangida's clever exit, to Shonekan's government and Abacha, we are made to understand why Nigeria is currently the way it is.
Also included in this book are major, but little known players in the game played like Malu, Diya, Useni and even the current president of the Federation of Nigeria, Tinubu.
This was an excellent read.
However, Siollun goes deep into history beyond the surface, providing information that has been mostly lost in Nigerian literature about military rule.
From Babangida's clever exit, to Shonekan's government and Abacha, we are made to understand why Nigeria is currently the way it is.
Also included in this book are major, but little known players in the game played like Malu, Diya, Useni and even the current president of the Federation of Nigeria, Tinubu.
This was an excellent read.
February 8, 2020
Max Siollun did an amazing job with this book, as on his first two books. A good read if one wants to learn about the events that happened and the atrocities committed during Abacha's tyrannical reign
April 16, 2020
It is a nice book that details more about the military era in nigeria
October 27, 2020
Omo!!! Take a bow Max Siollun, Take a bow! Epic, premium, rich, historical Nigerian gbas gbos!!! 💪🏾💪🏾
March 25, 2021
Required reading.
Read
December 13, 2022Shocking revelations with relatable names.
October 25, 2019
Thanks, Max Siollun
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews