The family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola is asking the Federal Government to provide full information regarding an alleged N45 billion debt said to be owed to them for unfulfilled contract payments from decades ago.
This request came shortly after former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, raised the issue publicly while speaking during the launch of his book “Being True to Myself” in May 2025. At the event, Lamido urged President Bola Tinubu to settle the alleged debt as a way of achieving justice and healing over the events surrounding the annulled 1993 presidential election.
According to Lamido, MKO Abiola’s company, International Telephone & Telegraph, carried out significant communications-related contracts for the military government during the 1970s.
He said the contracts were never fully paid, even though former military Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, had reportedly accepted that the money was owed before his death in 1976. Lamido also claimed that Abiola himself confirmed the outstanding payment during a private conversation they had before his arrest in 1994.
Describing the situation as a “double punishment”, Lamido stated that Abiola suffered both politically and financially—first through the loss of his electoral mandate and second through the non-payment of contract funds. He added, “Abiola kept faith with this country; paying what is owed will close the chapter decently.”
His comments have reignited public interest in both Abiola’s role in Nigeria’s democracy and the many unresolved issues from that era. Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, also weighed in on the matter, urging the current administration to pay the debt and further honour Abiola’s memory.
“That money should be paid to Abiola’s family. It is not just about compensation, it is about honouring a man who gave everything for this democracy. Giving an appointment to one of his children is not enough,” Adams said in an interview.
A member of the Abiola family, Jamiu Abiola, said they were not in a position to comment further until the Federal Government provides details on the origin and basis of the debt.
“The former governor did not say what the money was owed for. He didn’t give much details about it. Since then, the matter has been what it is. Before we can say more about it, we need more details,” Jamiu stated. “For now, the issue that the money be paid cannot come up because it hasn’t been substantiated.”
In response, a senior government official said the family had the right to file a formal claim if they possessed evidence to support it. However, the official questioned Lamido’s involvement, saying the matter should be left to the family themselves.
“The children of MKO Abiola are still very much alive. The first son is alive. So, if there is any money the government is owing Abiola, let them file a claim. It is not for Sule Lamido to be saying this,” the official noted.
Meanwhile, Hafsat Abiola, another of MKO’s children, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for honouring their late mother, Kudirat Abiola, with the national title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
“There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel at President Tinubu’s posthumous conferment of the merit of CFR on my mum, Kudirat Abiola,” she said.
