Ibrahim Babangida

“The challenge as we saw in the Nigerian project was to restructure the economy decisively in the direction of a modern free market as an appropriate environment for cultivation of freedom and democracy and the natural emergence of a new social order.”

“If you ask me to summarise our mission, I would put it this way: We were a military regime that sought to lay the foundations for freedom and liberty in a complex society.”

“The history of our country is not the history of any other country in the world which is either practicing advanced democracy or struggling to lay the foundation for democracy.”

“Debate and divergence of views can only enrich our history and culture.”

“It is of course the nature of historical contraction that the shortest distance to a historical destination is never a straight line.”

“To meet the expectations of the majority of our people, and to open up new vistas of economic opportunity so that the aspirations of Nigerians can stand a fair chance of being fulfilled in a lifetime, there must be a truly committed leadership in a democratic Nigeria.”

“Each one of us, and, indeed, all those who aspire to national leadership must bring their own visions, views and styles to the business of reforming Nigeria, and the search for solutions.”

“We have established a new basis in our country in which economic liberalization would continue to flourish alongside democratic forces and deregulated power structure.”

“I believe that historians and analysts of historical events need the authority of facts supplied by living witnesses to the events, which they make their subject.”

“Informed by our sad experience of history, we require nothing short of a foundation for lasting democracy.”

“Most importantly, nothing has happened to change my conviction that freedom and the love of liberty remain the essential defining attributes of our national character as a people.”

“Even now, we make no apologies for the choice we made. The sacrifices we made were selfless. The options we offered were patriotic while the paths we chose were well thought out.”

“Left to me, the whole purpose of government is for the security of the citizens, like the security of lives and property.”

“The return of democracy in our land has indeed thrown the problems of development into bolder relief.”

“There is also work to do in the evolution of a stable family life and values, and in ensuring that the Nigerian family is built on core values that will form the bedrock of the future society. We must showcase the ideals of family life and be models of family values.”

“With each new book, the march of our national history takes a step forward. When one is present at a book launch, one is bearing witness to the birth of a new body of ideas, to the coming into being of another testimony of history.”

“Democracy opens new vistas and opportunities. We should use the opportunities it offers to correct past mistakes not to blunder anew.”

“Our choice of a reform framework dictated that we looked at the fundamental assumptions that had driven Nigeria's economy, society and policy hitherto and to seek ways of either abandoning or transcending those assumptions and their supporting institutions.”

“The work of Nigeria is not complete for as long as there is any one Nigerian who goes to bed on empty stomach.”

“Our approach to economic development must be modern, focused and in tune with the global trend.”