On 29 July 1975, when General Murtala Mohammed took power as head of state via a military coup, Obasanjo was appointed as the chief of staff supreme headquarters.
Më 29 korrik 1975, kur gjenerali Murtala Mohammed mori pushtetin si kreu i shtetit nëpërmjet një grushti ushtarak, Obasanjo u emërua shef i shtabit të lartë të stafit.