Babatunde “Tunde’’ Abdulbaki Idiagbon was born on 14 September 1943 in Ilorin, Kwara State. He grew up in the family of Hassan Dogo, who had Fulani ancestry, and Ayisatu Iyabeji Hassan Idiagbon. He later became one of Nigeria’s most prominent military officers and eventually served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, which made him the second in command to General Muhammadu Buhari between 1983 and 1985.
Idiagbon spent his early years in schools in Ilorin. He attended United Primary School from 1950 to 1952 and continued at Okesuna Senior Primary School from 1953 to 1957. In 1958 he gained admission into the Nigeria Military School, where he completed his secondary education in 1962.
The same year he joined the Nigerian Army through the Nigerian Military Training College. In 1964 the college became the Nigerian Defence Academy. Between 1962 and 1965 he trained at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He returned to Nigeria in 1965 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He quickly rose through the ranks and held several key command and intelligence roles. He fought in the Nigerian Civil War and became known for his discipline, bravery, and strict military conduct. By 1970 he had become a major and continued to receive important postings including brigade commands and senior staff positions.
He later returned to Pakistan in 1976 for advanced training at the Command and Staff College in Quetta. By 1978 he was promoted to colonel and soon after became the director of manpower and planning at Army Headquarters. His rise continued steadily and in 1980 he was promoted to brigadier general. A year later he attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, and in 1982 he completed a defence management course in the United States. He served as military secretary of the Nigerian Army from 1981 to 1983.
From 1978 to 1979, during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Idiagbon served as the military administrator of Borno State.
His national prominence reached its peak when General Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters after the military takeover of 31 December 1983. Many Nigerians came to view Idiagbon as the engine room of the regime because of his firm discipline and uncompromising leadership style. He was promoted to major general in 1985.
Idiagbon supervised and implemented many of the government’s major policies. The most famous was the War Against Indiscipline, which was executed in five phases. These phases focused on queuing culture, work ethics, nationalism and patriotism, anti corruption measures, and environmental sanitation. He championed strict currency control measures in 1984 by introducing new currency notes and imposing limits on currency exchange in order to combat economic sabotage and illegal trafficking of the naira.
He also drove the government’s import substitution industrialisation policy, which encouraged local production and reduced dependence on imports. In the same year he led the Go Back to Land Programme, a policy designed to promote agricultural development and reduce poverty through increased food production.
Idiagbon played a central role in foreign policy matters, especially those that involved national security. Between 1984 and 1985 he oversaw issues such as border closure, expulsion of undocumented immigrants, and diplomatic efforts following the Umaru Dikko incident in Britain. He also signed cooperation agreements with Bulgaria and led a Nigerian delegation to the Soviet Union in 1984.
The Buhari government was overthrown on 27 August 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida. Idiagbon was removed from office and placed under house arrest for three years. After his release he retired to Ilorin where he lived a quiet life away from national politics.
He married Biodun Idiagbon (née Gamra) on 6 March 1970 and the couple had five children: Adekunle, Junior, Ronke, Mope, and Bola.
Babatunde Idiagbon died on 24 March 1999 under circumstances that many described as suspicious. Throughout his career he received several honours including the Defence Service Medal, the Forces Service Star, the General Service Medal, and the National Service Medal.
