Angola Honours Late Nigerian Leader Murtala Mohammed for Pivotal Role in Country’s Independence
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that, the government and people of Angola have bestowed a prestigious award of honour on Nigeria’s late former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, in recognition of his decisive contributions to the country’s liberation struggle.
OTN News further reports as gathered, that the honour was conferred during an event held over the weekend in Luanda as part of activities marking Angola’s 50th Independence Anniversary.
The ceremony also celebrated two other prominent Nigerians—former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Ibrahim Gambari—whose efforts were similarly acknowledged.
General Murtala Mohammed, honoured posthumously, was celebrated for his bold leadership and unwavering support for Angola’s independence from Portuguese colonial rule in the mid-1970s.
During the liberation struggle, Angola faced international isolation and an economic blockade. At the height of these pressures, Nigeria—led by Murtala Mohammed—became one of the first countries to recognise the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) government.
Nigeria also provided a crucial $17 million financial lifeline that helped the fledgling state stabilise and resist external interference.
Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Angola–Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tangyalamba Veloso, paid glowing tribute to the late Nigerian leader. She described General Murtala Muhammed as a courageous visionary whose principled stance altered the course of her country’s history.
“Despite Cold War tensions and opposition from Western powers, General Murtala Mohammed declared Angola’s government legitimate in 1975, defying global scepticism and affirming Nigeria as the moral voice of Africa,” Veloso said.
She recounted how the Nigerian leader personally travelled to Angola to meet with its leaders and confronted international oil companies that attempted to withdraw in protest of the liberation movement.
“He told the oil companies, ‘If you pull out of Angola and don’t return their resources, you will pull out of Nigeria as well and lose your investments. You will have neither Angola nor Nigeria to finance you,’” Veloso narrated, drawing applause from the audience.
According to her, Murtala Mohammed’s decisive actions and early recognition of the MPLA government laid the foundation for Angola’s survival as an independent nation.
“He was the first to provide financial assistance—$17 million—and the first president to recognise Angola as an independent country,” she added.
The tribute underscored Nigeria’s historic leadership role in African solidarity and reminded the audience of a period when the country’s moral and political influence shaped continental outcomes.
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