Dan Suleiman

Dan Suleiman (30 July 1942 – 1 February 2023) was a Nigerian Air Force officer and politician. He was a member of General Murtala Muhammed's supreme military council in Nigeria between July 1975 and March 1976, and was military governor of Plateau State from March 1976 to July 1978 after it had been created from part of the old Benue Plateau State. After the return to democracy in 1999 in the Nigerian Fourth Republic, Suleiman became chairman of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), a socio-political group representing the people of the Middle Belt of Nigeria.

Military career Suleiman played a leading role during the Nigerian Civil War (1966–1970). He was appointed to the cabinet of General Yakubu Gowon in January 1975. As Federal Commissioner for Special Duties he was instrumental in founding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Following the coup, he was named a member of the Supreme Military Council. Murtala Mohammed appointed him Commissioner for Health.

Suleiman was appointed the first military governor of Plateau State in Nigeria from March 1976 to July 1978, after Benue-Plateau State was divided into Benue State and Plateau State. Suleiman retired in 1980 as an Air Commodore.

Political career Suleiman was Chairman of Allied Bank of Nigeria Plc between 1984 and 1986. Suleiman became a leader of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State. The party went on to win the national elections in 1999. Suleiman also became chairman of the Middle Belt Forum. In September 2001, as chairman of the MBF he said "the middle belters are grossly marginalized and have become an endangered species on the brink of extinction and cultural annihilation". He joined the board of directors of Trans Nationwide Express. In June 2009, President Umaru Yar'Adua appointed him chairman of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria.

Death Suleiman died on 1 February 2023, at the age of 80.