Yakubu "Jack" Gowon (born 19 October 1934) is a Nigerian political and military leader who served as the head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975.

He ruled during the deadly Nigerian Civil War, which resulted in the death of 3 million people, most of whom were civilians. He took power after the 1966 Nigerian counter-coup and was overthrown in the 1975 Nigerian coup d'état.