# Murtala Muhammed - Military Head of State

URL: https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/murtala-muhammed
Term: 1975–1976
Number in the list: 166
Born-Died: 1938-11-08 - 1976-02-13
Dynasty: Military governments
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murtala_Mohammed

Murtala Muhammed took power in July 1975 and ran a fast, reformist government. He purged the civil service, created seven more states and announced the move of the capital to Abuja. He was assassinated in the failed Dimka coup on 13 February 1976.

## Succession
- Previous in list: [Yakubu Gowon](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/yakubu-gowon)
- Next in list: [Olusegun Obasanjo](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/rulers/olusegun-obasanjo)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1975 - [Gowon Overthrown](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1975-gowon-overthrown)
- 1976 - [Nineteen States Created](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1976-nineteen-states-created)
- 1976 - [Abuja Chosen as New Capital](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1976-abuja-chosen-as-new-capital)
- 1976 - [Murtala Muhammed Assassinated](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1976-murtala-muhammed-assassinated)
- 1976 - [Universal Primary Education Launched](https://allhistories.com/nigeria/timeline/1976-universal-primary-education-launched)