Former Nigerian interim leader Ernest Shonekan dies at 85

Ernest Shonekan, a former Nigerian leader and head of the interim national government that succeeded the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, has has died at the age of 85.

Shonekan died Tuesday at a hospital in Lagos.

He was the interim President of Nigeria between August 26, 1993, and November 17, 1993. He was appointed as Interim leader by General Ibrahim Babangida.

He was removed in a palace coup led by the then Minister of Defence, General Sani Abacha, 3 months into his administration.

Before his appointment as the head of the Interim National Government, Shonekan was the head of the transitional council and head of government under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Shonekan was a British-trained lawyer, industrialist, and former Chief Executive of the United African Company of Nigeria (UAC).

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