Shonekan, Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde, 1936–, Nigerian businessman and political leader, b. Lagos. He received a law degree in 1962 from the Univ. of London and joined the United African Company in 1964, becoming chairman and chief executive in 1980. He is also a co-founder of African Capital Alliance. In Jan., 1993, he was made head of the transitional council that was to bring about a return to civilian government. In Aug. 1993, following a crisis in which President Babangida annulled the results of the June presidential election, Shonekan was installed as interim head of state, replacing Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the election. In November, General Sani Abacha seized power. During his short time in office, Shonekan tried to bring down inflation and promote accountability in government and the private sector.
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