Nigeria - Ernest Shonekan

Ernest Adekunle Oladeinde Shonekan

Shonekan was installed to lead the country out of its most serious crisis since the civil war.
A top executive of the United African Co., Nigeria's largest conglomerate, and chairman of a national council designed to prepare the way for transition to democratic rule.

Babangida, army general who has ruled Nigeria since taking power in a military coup in 1985, had been pressed at home and abroad to cede control to a democratic government -- particularly since he annulled the results of a June 12 presidential election that was to have produced a civilian successor.

Abacha overthrew the transitional administration in November and installed himself as head of state.