Biography of Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Biafra war and death
Biography of Robert Adeyinka Adebayo, Biafra war and death
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (9 March 1928 – 8 March 2017)
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo was a prominent Nigerian Army major general who served as the governor of the now-defunct Western State of Nigeria from 1966 to 1971. He also held significant positions, including Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army and Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo Early Life.
Born in 1928 in Iyin Ekiti, near Ado Ekiti (present-day Ekiti State, Nigeria), Adebayo was the son of a Public Works employee. He was educated at All Saints School, Iyin-Ekiti, Eko Boys High School, and Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti. In 1948, he joined the West African Frontier Force as a regiment signaller. He completed his Officer Cadet Training Course in Teshie, Ghana (1950–1952) and passed both the War Office Examination for Commonwealth cadets in 1952 and the West African qualifying examination in 1953. Adebayo was commissioned as an officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force, becoming the 23rd West African military officer. Later, he attended the Staff College in Camberley, Surrey in 1960 and the Imperial Defence College, London, in 1965, where he was the only African officer.
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo Career
Adebayo’s military career spanned several key roles:
Platoon Commander (1954–1955)
Regimental Signal Officer (1955–1957)
Aide-de-Camp to British Governor-General Sir James Robertson (1957)
Company and Detachment Commander, Ikoyi (1958–1960)
First Nigerian General Staff Officer, Grade 2 (Intelligence) at the UN Headquarters (1961)
First National General Staff Officer, Grade 2 Nigerian Army Headquarters (1961–1962)
Commander of the Nigerian Contingent in the Congo (1963)
Chief of Staff, Nigerian Army Headquarters (1964–1965)
Chairman, Organization of African Unity (OAU) Defence Planning Committee (1963–1965)
Military Governor of Western Nigeria (1966–1971)
Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (1971–1972)
Retired from the Nigerian Army with the rank of Major-General in 1975
Adebayo played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s military and educational landscape, including being instrumental in the establishment of Yaba Higher College and the Nigerian Defence Academy. As governor of the Western Region, he promoted agricultural development and founded the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training at Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo Biafra War
Adebayo was a key figure during the Biafran War. He advocated against the use of force, warning of the devastating consequences of war. As governor of the Western State, he ordered the demolition of bridges to prevent Biafran forces from advancing toward Lagos. After the war, he was appointed by General Yakubu Gowon to chair a committee for the reconciliation and integration of the Biafrans back into Nigeria.
Farmers Revolt
During his tenure as governor, Adebayo handled the Agbekoya farmers’ revolt over taxation, successfully resolving the crisis peacefully.
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo Later Life
After retiring from the military, Adebayo became the chairman of the Yoruba Council of Elders in 2011. His son, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, served as the governor of Ekiti State from 1999 to 2003, and another son, Adedayo Adebayo, represented England in rugby between 1996 and 1999.
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo Death
Robert Adeyinka Adebayo passed away on 8 March 2017, just one day before his 89th birthday, at his Lagos residence.