[3] Shoenkan had a degree in law, had studied at the Harvard Business School in the US, and had held senior management positions in various companies.

He also launched an audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the largest oil company, and tried to restore civil liberties.

[6] Shonekan managed to remove laws that allowed arbitrary arrest and confiscation of property, promoted press freedom, obtained the release of some political prisoners and made reforms to the corrupt public services and state-owned companies.

The Lagos high court nullified Shonekan's appointment and called for Abiola to be sworn in as the elected candidate for the presidency.

[9] General Sani Abacha forced Shonekan to resign on 17 November 1993, and as the most senior military officer took over as head of state.