I Had No Plan To Be President At Age 31 – Gowon

Former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, on Friday revealed that he never planned to rule Nigeria at age 31.

Gowon became the country’s youngest Head of State when he assumed power on August 1, 1966.

He also remains the longest-serving Nigerian head of state after spending 9 years in office between 1966–1975.

The former Head of State disclosed this at Nigeria’s first virtual reality history competition organised by ANISZA Foundation and Gallery on Friday.

Gowon said, “I felt petrified when I took over as Head of State.”

He noted that his desire at the time was to become a good soldier, he said, “I never planned to be the President, it just happened.”

The former Head of State shared some of his life experiences to the youths and counselled them on the right attitudes and values.