The two military coups that toppled civilian regimes in Nigeria were those of ......

Analyze the question: It asks for the two military coups that overthrew civilian governments in Nigeria. So we need the coups that removed a civilian regime, not those where one military ruler replaced another.

Recall the concept: Nigeria has had civilian governments in two periods before 1999:

• The First Republic (1960-1966), led by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
• The Second Republic (1979-1983), led by President Shehu Shagari

Go through the coups:

1. 15 January 1966: Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and others overthrew the civilian government of Balewa. Maj. Gen. Aguiyi-Ironsi took over. This toppled a civilian regime.
2. 29 July 1966: Counter-coup that removed Ironsi (military) and brought in Gowon. This was military against military.
3. July 1975: Murtala Mohammed removed Gowon (military against military).
4. February 1976: Dimka's failed coup in which Murtala was killed. It failed, and it was against a military regime.
5. 31 December 1983: Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari overthrew the civilian government of Shagari. This toppled a civilian regime.
6. August 1985: Babangida removed Buhari (military against military).

Match with the options:

• A. Feb 1976 and Dec 1983: Feb 1976 was a failed coup against a military government, so this is wrong.
• B. July 1966 and Aug 1985: both were military against military, so this is wrong.
• C. Jan 1966 and July 1975: July 1975 removed Gowon, a military ruler, so this is wrong.
• D. Jan 1966 and Dec 1983: both removed civilian governments. This is correct.

**Answer: D.

Exam tip: Remember "66 and 83": the coups that ended the First and Second Republics. Every other coup was a palace coup between soldiers.