Special report: Nigeria in transition

Nigeria was plunged into uncertainty with the death first of military ruler Sani Abacha, and then of imprisoned opposition leader Chief Moshood Abiola. BBC News Online's special coverage looks at the impact of these events and the prospects for the planned transition to democracy:

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Moving towards democracy

• Obasanjo wins presidential nomination (15 February 1999)
• Clear winner in state elections (9 January 1999)
• Hard times ahead for Nigerian economy (31 December 1998)
• Abacha opponents dominate poll (6 December 1998)
• Nigerians go to the polls (4 December 1998)
• Era of coups over - Abubakar (2 December 1998)
• Green light for democracy (20 July 1998)
• Democracy commission promised (10 July 1998)
• Abiola dies in custody (7 July 1998)
• Abiola to 'go free' (1 July 1998)
• Obasanjo talks to the BBC (25 June 1998)
• Leading dissidents released (17 June 1998)
• Abubakar sworn in (9 June 1998)
• Abacha dead (8 June 1998)

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Profiles

• Moshood Abiola: Obituary by former West Africa correspondent Liz Blunt
• General Abdusalam Abubakar: Out of the shadows
• Sani Abacha: Obituary

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Multimedia

• "They are arresting me": Abiola's last interview 1994
• Abacha's inaugural address
• Nigerian radio on death of Abacha
• After Abacha: Network Africa Special from BBC African Service
• Full interview with former Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo

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From our correspondent

• Mood swings
• Farewell to Nigeria
• A taste of freedom

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In depth

• Timeline: Abiola's years in detention
• History of military coups and influence
• Nigeria: Country profile
• Nigeria's ethnic divisions