Gowon Reveals He Had Only ₦41,000 Saved After 1975 Coup

The former military leader made the revelation in his autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, where he recounted the difficult period that followed the end of his nine-year administration. He explained that the reality of losing power became clear to him while attending a summit in Kampala, Uganda, shortly after news of the coup reached him.

According to the retired General, he immediately began considering possible destinations for himself and his family as several sympathetic allies offered support. Although then Cameroonian President Ahmadou Ahidjo reportedly proposed accommodation for him, Gowon said he declined the offer out of concern that his presence in a neighbouring country could create tension for Nigeria’s new military government.

He instead relocated briefly to Togo due to his close relationship with former Togolese leader Gnassingbé Eyadéma, with whom he had collaborated during the establishment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Gowon disclosed that after spending about two weeks in Togo, he later travelled to the United Kingdom, adding that Eyadéma assisted him financially with $20,000 before his departure.

The former Head of State also narrated how Uganda’s late leader, Idi Amin, allegedly sent him a cash gift through Cameroon’s former ambassador to Nigeria. Gowon said the diplomat arrived with a briefcase containing about £25,000, equivalent to roughly $50,000 at the time, which he initially intended to return before being informed that it was a personal gift.

He explained that the funds were eventually used to settle accommodation expenses after his wife, Victoria Gowon, and their children arrived in London and temporarily stayed at the Savoy Hotel under arrangements made by the Nigerian High Commission.

Gowon stated that his wife became deeply worried about how the family would survive financially, especially regarding hotel bills and housing, noting that throughout his years in office he never personally handled public funds or official cash transactions because such matters were managed by government protocol officials.

Reflecting on his finances, Gowon disclosed that from the time he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1954 until his removal from office in 1975, his entire savings stood at ₦41,000. He added that the amount had already been reduced by deductions linked to a government housing loan he secured in 1966 to build a modest home in Kaduna.

The former ruler further revealed that his monthly pension of £700 was suspended after allegations connected him to the failed February 1976 counter-coup, though it was eventually restored. He lamented that most of his savings remained inaccessible in Nigeria while he struggled abroad with his family.

According to him, the family later secured temporary accommodation in North London through the assistance of friends before eventually purchasing a property in Hadley Wood after the Irish owner sympathised with their situation and agreed to accept a deposit arrangement.

Gowon noted that his family had to rely heavily on strict financial discipline, sell personal belongings, and depend on the goodwill of trusted associates to survive the difficult years in exile.

He also revealed that by 1984 his financial condition had deteriorated so badly that he wrote to former military Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, requesting assistance to pay his children’s school fees, a request he said Buhari honoured.

The retired General described his experience after leaving office as a lesson on the uncertainties of political power, adding that despite the hardship, his family survived through faith, resilience, and support from loyal friends.