Ernest Shonekan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chief Ernest Shonekan GCFR
9th Head of State of Nigeria
Interim 26 August 1993 – 17 November 1993
Preceded by	Ibrahim Babangida as Military President of Nigeria
Succeeded by	Sani Abacha as Military Head of State of Nigeria
Head of Government of Nigeria
In office 2 January 1993 – 26 August 1993
President	Ibrahim Babangida
Vice President	Augustus Aikhomu
Preceded by	Ibrahim Babangida
Succeeded by	Interim National Government
Personal details
Born	(1936-05-09)9 May 1936 Lagos, British Nigeria (now Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria)
Died	11 January 2022(2022-01-11) (aged 85) Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Margaret Shonekan
Alma mater	University of London Harvard Business School
Profession	Lawyer and businessman

Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (9 May 1936 – 11 January 2022) was a Nigerian lawyer and important political figure. He served as the temporary Head of State of Nigeria for a short time. This was from August 26, 1993, to November 17, 1993.

Before his time in politics, Shonekan was a top leader at the United African Company of Nigeria. This was a very large Nigerian business group. At that time, it was the biggest company in Sub-Saharan Africa controlled by Africans. He also held many traditional chieftaincy titles, including Abese of Egbaland.

Early Life and Education

Ernest Shonekan was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 9, 1936. His father was a civil servant from Abeokuta. Ernest was one of six children in his family.

He went to school at CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College. He then studied law at the University of London. After that, he became a lawyer. He also attended the famous Harvard Business School to learn more about business.

Starting a Business Career

Shonekan began working at the United Africa Company of Nigeria in 1964. This company was a part of the larger United Africa Company. This larger company had played a big role during the time of British rule in Nigeria.

He quickly moved up in the company. He became an assistant legal adviser. Later, he joined the board of directors when he was 40 years old. In 1980, he became the chairman and managing director. In this role, he made many important business and political connections around the world.

Nigeria's Political Challenges in the 1990s

On January 2, 1993, Shonekan took on two important roles. He became the head of the transitional council and the head of government. This was under the leadership of Ibrahim Babangida. The transitional council was meant to be the last step before Nigeria would have an elected democratic leader. This was planned for the Third Nigerian Republic.

Shonekan soon found out that the government's money situation was very bad. Nigeria owed a lot of money to other countries. The government had to keep talking about how to pay back its debt.

In August 1993, Babangida stepped down from office. This happened after the results of the June 12 elections were cancelled. Babangida then created a temporary government called the Interim National Government. Shonekan was chosen to lead this government and became the Head of State.

Leading the Interim Government

Shonekan faced many challenges during his short time in power. He could not fully control the political problems that followed the cancelled election. He tried to set up another presidential election to bring back democratic rule. However, his government was made weaker by a national workers' strike.

Many people, including opposition leader Moshood Abiola, did not think Shonekan's temporary government was real or fair. Shonekan did release political prisoners who had been held by the previous government. His administration also tried to remove some harsh laws made by the military government. However, the military still had a lot of power over his government.

Shonekan asked for Nigeria's debts to be cancelled. But after the election was cancelled, many Western countries stopped doing business with Nigeria. This caused prices to rise very quickly, and foreign money stopped coming into the country. His government also looked into the finances of NNPC, the big oil company, which had many problems.

Shonekan also tried to plan for Nigerian troops to leave a peacekeeping mission in Liberia. General Sani Abacha was the minister of defence at this time. He had full control over the military.

After Leaving Office

In November 1993, only three months after he started, Shonekan was removed from power. This happened in a military takeover led by General Abacha.

In 1993, Shonekan helped start the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. This group works to help Nigeria's economy grow with the help of private businesses.

After leaving office, Shonekan continued to be an important and respected older statesman in Nigeria.

Personal Life and Passing

Ernest Shonekan was married to Margaret Shonekan. He passed away on January 11, 2022, at the age of 85. He died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos. At the time of his death, he was the third oldest living former Nigerian head of state.

See also

In Spanish: Ernest Shonekan para niños