Just one week after being released from prison, Olusegun Obasanjo (left) was celebrating with Emeka Anyaoku, the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General at the time.
The picture was shot a year prior to Obasanjo’s election to the presidency during Nigeria’s transition back to civilian administration. Being the first Nigerian leader to move from military to civilian leadership in the democratic era, Obasanjo’s presidency signaled a momentous change. After years of military dictatorship, his victory was viewed as a significant step toward stabilizing Nigeria.