1970-1979: Military rulers like Gowon (1967-1975), Murtala Muhamed and Olusegun Obasanjo ran Nigeria and altered the constitution again, creating 19 federal states.

1970 (January 15): The Biafran War came to an end, leaving nearly two million people dead.

1971 (April 2): Nigeria changed from driving on the right hand side of the road to the left.

1973 (May): Government establishes the National Youth Service Corps Scheme and introduces compulsory one year service for all graduates of Nigerian universities.

1974: General Gowon reneged on a promise to restore civilian rule in 1976.

1974: Gowon announces indefinite delay in trasition plan.

1975 (October): Gowon was overthrown in a coup, on the anniversary of his ninth year in office, by General Murtala Mohammed. Murtala rolls out transition plan to civil rule due to terminate in 1979.

1976 (February 13): Murtala Mohammed was gunned down, in an abortive coup attempt, on his way to work from his residence.

1976 (February 14): General Murtala Mohammed was succeeded by General Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo pledges to keep to Murtala's transition agenda.

1976 (September 2): The Universal Primary Education Scheme (UPE) is introduced. This was to make education free and compulsory in the country.

1978: Ban on political parties was lifted

1979 (October 1): General Obasanjo handed over to Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari (Excutive President of Nigeria). Five parties competed for the presidency, and Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) won.

1979 (October 1) -1983 (December 31): Second Republic of Nigeria under Shehu Shagari of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).