Chief Obafemi Awolowo resigned from General Yakubu Gowon’s government in June 1971 after the end of the civil war. The full letter is quite lengthy, it is reproduced below from widely circulated historical records.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Resignation Letter
June 3, 1971.
My dear Commander-in-Chief,
You will recall that in a statement made by me and published in the SUNDAY TIMES of March 30, 1969, I declared, among other things, as follows:
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“Even at the federal level, I have no desire whatsoever, and I certainly cannot be tempted or induced to develop one, to head, or participate in an unelected or even an electoral-college elected civil administration in a military or any setting.
At the moment, I am participating in the activities of the military government because I have been invited, and I also think it is right, so to do.
I am, therefore, obliged, morally and for the purpose of keeping Nigeria united, to take part, as fully as I can, in any measure designed, in particular, to keep the Ibos as a constituent ethnic unit in the federation of Nigeria, enjoying equal and identical status and benefits with other ethnic units, and in general, to preserve Nigeria as an economic and political entity.”
I should have, in accordance with this declaration, relinquished my present offices soon after the end of the civil war in January last year. But one main matter decided me against such an immediate course of action.
As you know, before January 1970, the four-year development and reconstruction plan had been under active preparation, and it had been hoped that it would be launched early in the 1970/71 fiscal year. It was my strong desire to participate in the consideration of this plan.
As it turned out, however, the plan was not actually considered until August 1970.
By that time, three other factors had supervened. First, the capital estimates for 1970/71 had been delayed until the launching of the four-year development plan, which did not take place until November last year.
At this late stage, I decided that the capital estimates of 1970/71 should be incorporated into those of 1971/72.
Second, by November 1970, the time for the introduction of the 1971/72 budget was only some four months away.
Third, as from September 1970, our foreign exchange position had started to undergo an unusual rapid deterioration. It occurred to me, in all these circumstances:
-that it would be untidy for me to leave without completing the budget for 1970/71;
-that it would be hardly fair to my successor for me to leave at a time when preparations for the 1970/71 budget had actively begun under my direction, and;
-that it might be interpreted in some circles as an act of bad faith for me to leave at a time when our foreign exchange was in such a bad state, and no sensible formula had been found for arresting its deterioration.
Now with the peace and unity of our great country fully restored and firmly re-established; with the four-year development plan already considered and launched and the capital estimates for 1970/71 completed; with the 1971/72 budget done and a reasonable solution devised for our acute foreign exchange, I feel free to act in accordance with one of my fundamental beliefs, referred to in paragraph 1 above, and publicly declared on March 10, 1969-EIGHTEEN CLEAR MONTHS before the military government’s political programme was announced by you on October 1, 1970.
I would, therefore, like to notify you that, with effect from July 1, 1971, I am no longer willing to continue in the offices of federal commissioner for Finance and vice-president of the Federal Executive Council.
Supplementary to the forgoing, there is another important reason for my present action. After four truly (I hesitate to say exceedingly) exacting (though thoroughly stimulating and educative) years in the Federal Ministry of Finance which, throughout the period, was incessantly beset with fiscal and monetary problems of unprecedented dimensions, and of peculiarly complex and tantalizing nature, I deem it to be in the interest of my continued good health to have a complete change of full-time occupation.
As to my future plan, I have decided to go back to legal practice. I also want to seize the opportunity, which the military government’s six-year political programme provides, to write, if my professional engagement permit, three books which have always been very much on my mind.
The research connected with two of these books will take me to selected developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, as well to ECA and OAU secretariats in Addis Ababa, the offices of some United Nations agencies in New York, and London University.
I would like to state that though, by this resignation, I am leaving your government and literary activities as mentioned above, it does not mean that I am completely relinquishing all public services to our country and people.
On the contrary, it is my resolve to continue, in all circumstances and until my life’s end, to see the best interests of our fatherland, and promote the welfare and happiness of our people, in every way possible.
In this connection, I would like to assure you that I shall always be willing, on a purely AD HOC basis and providing my professional commitments permit, to render, at your request and without any remuneration whatsoever, any particular service which is within my competence to give.
After my appointment in 1967, I submitted to you a STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS (i.e. OF MY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES) as at June30, 1967.
In keeping with the code of conduct to which I subscribed, I am obliged to send you my statement of affairs as at June 30, 1971.
It is, however, not possible to send the statement along with this letter. But my accountants are already working on it and as soon as it is finalized up to June 30, 1971, I shall forward it to you.
In closing, I would like, in all sincerity, to say two things:
Firstly, I have tremendously enjoyed working with you; and it is not without considerable reluctance, therefore, that I have to take this step.
Secondly, I will always remember with deep gratitude, your kindness to me in releasing me from prison, and in giving me, within a year of my release, an opportunity to serve our people of Nigeria once again in a ministerial capacity, and at a time when the very existence of our fatherland was in grave peril.
With best wishes to Victoria and your good self, and love to Ibrahim.
Yours very sincerely,
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO.
Why Awolowo Resigned
Although the letter was courteous and restrained, historians generally agree that Awolowo had become increasingly uncomfortable with the military government’s failure to return the country to civilian rule after the war.
He had originally joined the government to help preserve Nigeria during the civil war and believed his mission had largely been accomplished by 1970.
His resignation therefore carried both personal and political significance.
One of the remarkable aspects of the exchange is the equally gracious reply from Gowon, who praised Awolowo’s patriotism, courage, financial stewardship, and service to the nation.
General Gowon’s reply is often cited as an example of civility, magnanimity, and mutual respect in public life.
After receiving Chief Awolowo’s resignation letter, Gowon wrote warmly in appreciation of his service to Nigeria during one of its most difficult periods.
The key portions of Gowon’s response read as follows:
My dear Chief Awolowo,
I have received your letter dated June 3, 1971, in which you informed me of your desire to relinquish your appointments as Federal Commissioner for Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council with effect from July 1, 1971.
I fully appreciate the reasons which have prompted you to take this decision and I have accepted your resignation with regret.
May I say that your services to the nation during the past four years have been invaluable. At a most critical period in the history of this country, you accepted the call to serve.
You brought to your task great ability, courage, dedication and an unwavering sense of duty.
The successful management of our finances during the civil war and the immediate post-war period owes much to your wisdom, foresight and discipline. The nation owes you a debt of gratitude.
Personally, I have greatly valued your counsel, your loyalty and your friendship. I shall miss the benefit of your wise advice in government.
I sincerely hope that after a period of rest, you will continue to place your immense experience and talents at the disposal of our country whenever the need arises.
Victoria joins me in sending our warm regards to you and your family.
Yours sincerely,
Yakubu Gowon
The exchange is remarkable because neither man used the occasion to score political points. Awolowo left with dignity, expressing gratitude even as he quietly signaled that his mission in government was over.
Gowon responded with generosity, publicly acknowledging Awolowo’s immense contribution to stabilizing Nigeria’s finances during the civil war and reconstruction years.
For students of leadership, there are several enduring lessons in this correspondence:
1. Public office is service, not possession. Awolowo knew when to leave.
2. Disagreement need not breed bitterness. Both men had different political backgrounds yet maintained mutual respect.
3. A leader should acknowledge merit, even in potential rivals. Gowon did so generously.
4. Institutions are strengthened when exits are as dignified as entries.
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In today’s often rancorous political climate, the Awolowo–Gowon exchange remains a model of statesmanship, restraint, and respect for public service.
