How IBB Plagiarised My Book In ‘A Journey In Service’ – Historian Accuses Former Head of State With Textual Evidence

Renowned historian Max Siollun has accused former Nigerian military ruler Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) of plagiarism in his recently released memoir, A Journey In Service. Siollun claims that significant portions of Babangida’s book were copied verbatim from his own works without proper attribution.

In a blog post published on Friday, Siollun expressed his shock at the alleged plagiarism, calling out Babangida’s ghostwriter for lifting entire passages from his books, Soldiers of Fortune and Oil, Politics, and Violence. “There is also the sensitive issue of plagiarism. Some sections of Babangida’s book have passages that use eerily similar (or verbatim identical) wording to my books,” Siollun wrote.

He further challenged readers to compare the texts, stating that the similarities were too striking to be mere coincidence.

Textual Evidence of Plagiarism in IBB’s Book

A detailed review of A Journey In Service by IBB alongside Siollun’s books suggests that the historian’s claims have merit. Multiple passages appear to have been copied almost word-for-word, with minimal alterations in phrasing.

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One of the most glaring examples comes from Siollun’s 2009 book, Oil, Politics and Violence, where he described the 1975 coup and the role of senior military officers. Siollun used the phrase “friendly neutrality” to characterise the stance of senior officers during the coup. Babangida’s book uses the exact same phrase, in the same context, without citing Siollun.

Another example is the description of military reshuffles following the failed 1976 coup. Siollun wrote in Oil, Politics and Violence “The Lagos Garrison Organisation was upgraded to a full division and became the 4th Infantry Division under the command of Brigadier M.I. Wushishi. Years later, Wushishi became the Chief of Army Staff.”

Babangida’s memoir presents nearly the same sequence of events “To beef up security around the seat of government in Lagos, the Lagos Garrison was upgraded to the 4th Infantry Division under the command of Brigadier M. I. Wushishi.”

Similarly, Siollun’s analysis of the establishment of the National Security Organisation (NSO) following the 1976 coup appears to have been replicated in Babangida’s book, with only minor alterations. Siollun wrote “The intelligence failure that allowed the conspirators to plan and execute their plot without detection proved embarrassing and led to the creation of a new intelligence agency called the National Security Organisation (NSO) under Colonel Abdullahi Mohammed.”

IBB’s version reads “By far, the most fundamental impact of the coup was that it led to lasting security changes in the country. The coup led to the establishment of the new National Security Organisation (NSO), headed by Colonel Abdullahi Muhammed.”

The similarities in structure, content, and wording between the two books raise serious concerns about the originality of A Journey In Service.

Who is Max Siollun?

Siollun is widely regarded as one of the foremost historians of Nigeria’s military past. His works focus on the role of the military in shaping Nigeria’s post-colonial history.

His book Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria’s Military Coup Culture (1966–1976), published in 2009, details Nigeria’s series of coups and the impact of oil wealth on political power. His later work, Soldiers of Fortune: Nigerian Politics from Buhari to Babangida (1983–1993), examines the complex political decisions of the Muhammadu Buhari and Babangida administrations.

Siollun’s research is known for its detailed analysis and archival depth, making the alleged plagiarism in Babangida’s book all the more controversial.

IBB’s Controversial Memoir

A Journey In Service, released in February, has sparked public debate due to Babangida’s revelations about his time in power. In the book, he admitted that Moshood Abiola won the annulled 1993 Nigerian presidential election but distanced himself from the decision to annul it, blaming Sani Abacha instead.

Babangida also denied involvement in the assassination of journalist Dele Giwa, a claim that remains widely contested.

However, the allegations of plagiarism have cast a shadow over the credibility of his memoir. Readers and scholars alike are now questioning whether Babangida’s account is truly his own or simply a repackaging of prior research.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Plagiarism is a serious academic and intellectual offence, particularly when it involves historical documentation. Siollun has not stated whether he intends to take legal action, but the accusations raise ethical concerns about the publishing process of A Journey In Service.

If proven, the allegations could damage Babangida’s reputation further, reinforcing long-held criticisms about his leadership and legacy. They could also undermine the historical accuracy of his memoir, making it less reliable as a historical source.

Babangida Yet to Respond

As of now, IBB has not publicly responded to Siollun’s accusations. His publishers have also remained silent on the issue.

The controversy has reignited discussions about intellectual property rights in Nigeria, particularly regarding historical documentation. Many are now calling for greater scrutiny of political memoirs to ensure they meet academic and ethical standards.

With growing attention on the allegations, it remains to be seen whether Babangida or his publishers will address the concerns raised by Siollun.

The plagiarism accusations against IBB have sparked serious debate about academic integrity and historical accuracy. Max Siollun’s claims are backed by strong textual evidence, making it difficult to dismiss the controversy. Whether or not Babangida acknowledges the issue, the allegations highlight the importance of proper citation and intellectual honesty, particularly when documenting history.