Nigerian Military Regime's War on Indiscipline: Idiagbon Speech | March 1984

Nigeria's hardline military regime led by General Muhammadu Buhari and Brigadier Babatunde Idiagbon declared a 'War on Indiscipline' ranging from economic crimes to conduct in the social and private spheres.

This excerpt from a speech by Brigadier Idiagbon given on March 23rd 1984, was part of the promulgation of a decree which banned street trading in Lagos.

Footage

Transcript of Idiagbon's words:

"I want you to bear in mind the need to emphasise self-discipline and leadership by good example. Begin by drawing public attention to little but important everyday manifestations of indiscipline such as rushing into buses, driving on the wrong side of the road, littering the streets, parks and dwelling compounds, cheating, taking undue advantage of scarcity to inflate prices for quick monetary gains, constituting ourselves into public nuisances, working without commitment and devoting little or no time to the upbringing of our children. Up to this moment there has been no formal declaration of war against indiscipline, it is my pleasure therefore to declare today a launching day for the war against indiscipline."

Source: Reuters News.

Note:

The regime's "War on Indiscipline" was satirized by the Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in his song "Beasts of No Nation". The song's chorus plays on the irony of the Nigerian military accusing Nigerian citizens of being "useless", "senseless" and "indisciplined" (sic). It also refers to Buhari and Idiagbon as crazy men and like all other oppressors, they were "animals in human skin".

Fela had been convicted and imprisoned in 1984 for violating Nigeria's currency laws when leaving the country for a tour of the United States.