Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has revealed that his name once led to confusion about his ethnicity among his colleagues in the Nigerian military.

Babangida explained that in his early days as an officer, many military personnel mistakenly assumed he was Yoruba because his name, “Badamasi,” sounded similar to the Yoruba name “Gbadamosi.”

To clarify his identity, Babangida decided to adopt his father’s name, “Babangida,” as his last name. This change helped distinguish him from the Yoruba ethnic group, as he hails from Minna in Niger State.

In his memoir, “A Journey in Service,” Babangida recounted his experiences upon returning to Nigeria from India in January 1964 as 2nd Lt. Ibrahim Badamasi. Deployed to the reconnaissance squadron (the ‘Turaki’ Squadron), First Brigade, Kaduna, he worked under senior officers including Major Chris Anuforo, Major Hassan Katsina, and Major Okpo Isong.

Reflecting on the name confusion, Babangida wrote:

    “During official engagements… officers who confused the Yoruba name ‘Gbadamosi’ with my last name, ‘Badamasi,’ repeatedly asked me whether I was Yoruba… I decided to take on my father’s other name as my last name… I remember joking about it then and saying: ‘Regardless of the name change, I am still my father’s son!’”

This decision not only clarified his identity but also shaped how he would be known throughout his military and political career.