Healing Nigeria from the Biafran conflict

Nigeria and the world have recently renewed interest in the Biafran War. The conflict, which continues to influence Nigeria’s collective psyche, resulted in the loss of over three million Igbo lives, primarily children.

It has left an indelible mark on the national conscience. This resurgence of focus on the war follows General Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir, A Journey in Service, which presents a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to address the painful truths of its past.

Babangida’s biography dismantles a long-held falsehood that has afflicted Nigeria for decades: the myth of the “Igbo Coup” in 1966. This narrative, which unjustly depicted the Igbo as the masterminds of violence, significantly contributed to the justification for the brutal genocidal acts that led to the Biafran secession and the catastrophic civil war. Babangida’s candid account not only clarifies that ethnic motives did not instigate the coup but reveals instead a collective military effort aimed at regime change. It also shows that Igbo officers were integral in suppressing the putsch.

This revelation is vital for understanding the events of 1966, as it challenges the harmful myth that the Igbo were accountable for the coup. This distortion of the truth did more than exacerbate ethnic divisions; it laid the groundwork for the bloodshed of the Biafran War, which left Nigeria profoundly divided. The suffering of the Igbo was not merely a result of war, but rather the outcome of lies that justified violence against them. As the decades pass, attempts to reconcile the country have fallen short, as they fail to confront the root causes of the conflict.

The calls for apologies and compensation have centred around a misguided understanding of true healing. Whilst gestures of atonement are undoubtedly necessary, they cannot mend the deep wounds inflicted on the Igbo. Lasting peace in Nigeria depends on systemic reform that tackles the structural inequalities at the heart of the conflict. The Biafran War was not solely about territorial disputes but the Igbo’s fight for self-determination. In a nation that continuously undermined their dignity and rights, it was a struggle to have a voice in how they were governed.

Babangida’s memoir sheds light on another uncomfortable truth: the Nigerian government’s failure to protect the Igbo during the 1966 pogroms forced Colonel Ojukwu, then leader of the Eastern Region, to declare Biafra. Thus, the declaration was not a reckless act of secession, but a desperate measure to safeguard the Igbo people, who had nowhere else to turn. Their fight was about survival against an increasingly hostile state, not about ethnic supremacy.

The Biafrans did not fight for land or territory, but for their very survival in a country that had systematically denied them the right to live freely and with dignity. They were engaged in a battle not for conquest, but for recognising their humanity and sovereignty in a state that had already branded them as enemies without cause. In the wake of the ethnic cleansing, the Nigerian government’s actions, and the widespread hatred directed at the Igbo, made it clear that they were no longer seen as equal citizens but as outcasts, undeserving of protection or fair treatment.

In the aftermath of the war, the Nigerian government promised the three Rs “reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation.” However, as Babangida points out, this promise was little more than a slogan; it was an empty phrase not supported by meaningful action. Once again, the Igbo were denied the right to shape their destiny. The war may have ended, but the subjugation of the Igbo persists.

As Nigeria continues to reflect on the legacy of the war, it is becoming clear that calls for mere reconciliation, no matter how heartfelt, will not suffice to bring an end to the conflict or provide genuine healing to the Igbo people. Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, has articulated a vital perspective on this issue. Speaking on Arise Television, Umeh urged General Yakubu Gowon, the former military leader during the war, to confront the truth and take responsibility for his role in perpetuating the lies that led to the genocide of the Igbo.

Umeh urged Gowon to stop behaving like an “ostrich,” hiding from the painful realities of the past, and instead apologising publicly to the Igbo Nation. At 90, Umeh emphasised that Gowon has little time to make amends. The Senator insists that Gowon must confess his role in the suffering of the Igbo people, seek forgiveness, and cease using gestures like Nigeria Prays to position himself as a symbol of reconciliation without addressing the foundational truths of the conflict.

Senator Umeh’s point is unequivocal: no amount of monetary compensation can undo the immense harm inflicted upon the Igbo people. The 10 trillion Naira figure suggested by Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not meant as a literal demand; instead, it serves as a powerful metaphor, highlighting the incalculable damage and suffering caused by the conflict. It is not about financial restitution but restoring dignity, justice, and equality to those who have been denied these for far too long.

For true healing to occur, the Igbo must feel they can retake some charge of their destiny through a devolved system that gives them control over their affairs. This sense of autonomy will bring healing, allowing them to believe that the lives and properties lost during the war were not in vain.

Mere symbolic gestures or compensation will never be enough to foster genuine healing. True reconciliation and lasting peace for the Igbo and the entire nation depend on restoring a devolved regional government, an essential structural change taken apart during Gowon’s regime in 1967.

The failure to devolve power has allowed deep-rooted inequalities to persist, creating an environment where authentic healing, justice, and lasting peace remain elusive. Until Nigeria adopts a truly devolved federal system in which regions possess the autonomy to manage their resources, security, and development, the scars of the past will continue to undermine national unity and reconciliation.

A shift towards autonomy will not divide Nigeria; instead, it will strengthen it. True unity does not equate to forced uniformity; it is built on the voluntary cooperation of diverse regions, each with the freedom to manage its affairs while contributing to the nation’s common good.

Many countries worldwide, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, and India, have demonstrated that devolved governance can foster peace, stability, and prosperity among diverse populations. Nigeria, with its rich ethnic and cultural diversity, can also follow this promising path.

Genuine peace and healing can only occur when Nigeria confronts its painful past, acknowledges the enduring wounds, and establishes a political system that enables all Nigerians, regardless of ethnic background, to thrive with dignity and respect.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s future depends on creating a federal system that grants every region the autonomy it needs to flourish. Only then can the country truly heal, achieve lasting peace, and emerge as a unified and prosperous nation that honours its diversity.

Onukwuli PhD, wrote from Bolton, UK. He can be reached via:[email protected]