SEE OFFICIAL AUTOMOBILES OF PAST NIGERIAN HEADS OF STATE

Perhaps ever since 1978 when General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated at a junction at Obalande while obeying traffic driving in a black Mercedes Benz 230 (114 series ) Nigerian
leaders may have had reasons to acquire automobiles that keep them safe from attacks  not minding the cost. This may have set a trend for sophistication. Below are some of the official vehicles used by some past Nigerian head of states.

1960 Bentley Model-Nnamdi Azikiwe

The 1960 Bentley model was used by Nigeria’s first president Nnamdi Azikiwe. Bentley was and is actually one of the official makers of the British Queen fleet of cars. Perhaps the idea of using the Bentley as the official vehicle for the first Nigerian president could have been borrowed from the colonials. I bet it wasn’t bullet proof. What did it cost? It could have been a gift from the queen to our Zik. What do you think?

1968 Mercedes Benz 230 (114 series)-Murtala Ramat Muhammed

This model was used by General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, in which he was assassinated in 1976. This vehicle would not have cost much if we should go by the low profile history the head of state was known for. 

                            

                              Mercedes-Benz W116 (S-class)-1980-Shehu Shagari

Officially used by Shehu Shagari in the early eighties. This model must have been expensive. Given that the “S-Class” “Special Class” or in German “Sonderklasse” name tag was used for the first time at that time (1972) although it cannot be ascertained if it was bullet proofed.

 

Its features: four-spoke steering wheel, hydro pneumatic self-leveling suspension, gas tank mounted above the rear axle for better protection in case of a crash and large headlights with turn signals. In 1975, the 450SEL 6.9 featured the largest engine ever mounted on a Mercedes, the 6.9-liter delivering 286-hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. Phew! Incredible for the ‘70s

Peugeot 504-General Sani Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubaka, General IBB, General Buhari.

There must have been something about this model and the military regime, just saying. Buhari’s official car as military president (Peugeot 504-not bullet proofed) replaced              Shagari’s sophisticated Mercedes-Benz W116 (S-class) you know why don’t ask me, General IBB (peogeout-504 bullet proofed). General Sani Abacha, (Peugeot 504-bullet proofed). General Abdulsalami Abubaka (Peugeot 504-cant ascertain).

                             Mercedes –Benz S-class W222 (2014- ) - Muhammadu Buhari

Mercedes-Benz S-class W221 (2005-2013) s-350-Goodluck Jonathan

I wonder if this car gives you shiver down your spine? The official vehicle of Goodluck Jonathan as president. With features such as Night view assist that allows a driver to spot pedestrian or obstacle at night, while the automatic transmissions control was moved to steering wheel column. It is the first luxury limousine to be powered by a hybrid power train (i.e. four-cylinder on luxury). Phew!!

Mercedes –Benz S-class W222 (2014- ) - Muhammadu Buhari.

This car raised a lot of talk-talk after last year’s General elections. The anti-graft president rides the latest S-Class (S600-S600 Maybach-pullman-S65AMG). Bullet proofed, awarded best car of the year 2014. Features; Active parking assist, night view assist, active lane keeping assist, distronic plus with steering assist, pre-safe break with pedestrian recognition and break assist plus cross traffic assist. Air filtering and ionizing system (air balance), Ten-way adjustable seats etc. And can go to the market for you; just give it your list! It’s a lai ooo. Cost?