Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to unveil a new biography documenting the life and legacy of the late Brigadier Musa Usman, the pioneer military governor of the former North-Eastern State, on Monday, September 14, 2026.
According to a press release signed by Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman on behalf of the family, the public presentation of the 363-page book, titled “Brigadier Musa Usman (1940–1991): Service and Impact,” will take place at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja, by 10:00am.
The biography was written by two Nigerian journalists and intellectuals, Malam Mahmud Jega and Dr Theophilus Abbah. It examines Brigadier Usman’s early life, military career, period in government and contributions to the development of the region.
Brigadier Musa Usman, who served in the Nigerian Air Force, governed the former North-Eastern State from 1967 to 1975. The vast territory under his administration has since been divided into six states — Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Shettima will attend the event as the special guest of honour and formally unveil the biography.
Major General IBM Haruna, former Federal Commissioner for Information, will chair the ceremony, while Major General (Senator) Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum will serve as the Chief Host, with the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe attending as co-hosts, representing the six states that now make up the territory once administered by Brigadier Usman.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, will serve as the Book Presenter, while the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is listed as a special guest alongside other prominent Nigerians.
The book documents Brigadier Usman’s role in establishing infrastructure and systems that contributed to the socio-economic, educational and healthcare development of the former North-Eastern State.
It also traces his humble beginnings, progression through the military ranks in both the Army and Air Force, and his eventual appointment as governor during one of Nigeria’s most challenging formative periods.
The biography features a foreword by former Head of State, General Dr Yakubu Gowon, who praised the late military governor for his integrity and contributions to infrastructure development in the North-East.
“Brigadier Musa Usman, who served as Governor of the North Eastern State, was known for his integrity and honesty,” Gowon wrote.
“His administration achieved significant results, as evidenced by the substantial infrastructure present in the North East region of Nigeria today. He was responsible for investing in many of these developments.”
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, also recalled his personal experience with Brigadier Usman, particularly his role in strengthening the Nigerian Air Force during its early years.
Abdulsalami said Usman, who was then a young officer, was selected to help stabilise the Nigerian Air Force Station in Kaduna after the departure of the German technical personnel who had helped establish the service.
“The late Brigadier Musa Usman wasn’t my colleague; he was my boss,” General Abdulsalami reflected.
“I was a cadet when the late Brigadier was posted to the Nigerian Air Force in Kaduna as Commandant. At the early stage of the air force, the authorities thought it necessary to bring a Nigerian officer to study the system under the command of the Germans to get the air force going… the authorities felt it necessary to bring an officer [Brigadier Musa Usman] to stabilise the system.”
Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Director General of the Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training (CEDDERT) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will provide the formal review of the book.
The review is expected to examine Brigadier Usman’s administrative record and his broader contributions to the development of the region.
The family said attendance at the event is free and invited members of the public, academics, students and media practitioners to participate in the ceremony and honour the legacy of the late military governor.
Source: Provided report
