The public presentation of the long-awaited autobiography of former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Abuja.
The 881-page memoir, published by Havilah Group, offers a deeply personal account of Gowon’s journey through military leadership, governance, national unity, and the turbulent years of the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to attend the event as special guest of honour at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, while former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Defence, Theophilus Danjuma, is billed to unveil the book.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Gowon said the memoir was written to provide clarity on decisions made during one of Nigeria’s most difficult periods rather than stir controversy.
“By choosing to write, I took a conscious decision not to reopen old wounds but to clarify my thinking on policies and plans at a period often narrated by others,” he said.
“My story is one of conviction evaluated by circumstances at the crossroads of expectations and reality.”
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Havilah Group, Lanre Adesuyi, described the publication as an important contribution to preserving Nigeria’s historical and political memory.
“We consider this project a significant milestone in our journey, one that reflects our commitment to preserving history, promoting thought leadership, and contributing meaningfully to national discourse,” Adesuyi stated.
Born in 1934, Gowon became Nigeria’s Head of State on August 1, 1966, and remained in office for nine years. After leaving power, he earned a PhD in Political Science from University of Warwick in 1984.
In retirement, Gowon devoted himself to peacebuilding, national development, and humanitarian causes through initiatives such as Nigeria Prays and the Yakubu Gowon Centre, which has supported campaigns against guinea worm, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and viral hepatitis in Nigeria.
