The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has said Nigeria is still struggling with the consequences of the Biafra civil war because of the country’s failure to properly document its history.
Amadi made the statement on Tuesday, noting that the absence of an official account of major national events has allowed different narratives about the war to continue emerging.
He argued that Nigeria needs proper documentation and official records on critical national issues, including wars, to promote a better understanding of the country’s past.
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Nigeria-Biafra War, began on July 6, 1967, and ended on January 15, 1970. The conflict was fought between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, which had declared independence from Nigeria in 1967.
During the war, General Yakubu Gowon was Nigeria’s Head of State, while the Biafran side was led by Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The conflict was linked to political, ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions that developed before and after Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule. Immediate triggers included the 1966 military coup, counter-coup, and attacks against Igbo communities in parts of Northern Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with Arise Television, Amadi said Nigeria’s inability to confront historical facts had contributed to ongoing disagreements over the causes and consequences of the war.
“In this country, we have a problem with history, investigating facts, and we taboo everything. At the end of the day, we don’t have history to work with,” he said.
“This is a national malign, and that’s why we are still struggling with the issue of the civil war. People are writing all kinds of things; we don’t have official autography about the issues that led to it.”
Amadi added that Nigerians often avoid discussing sensitive historical events, which affects political conversations and national development.
He said recent comments by some historians about the origins of the crisis had not received enough public attention because of the country’s reluctance to openly examine its past.
He maintained that proper historical documentation would help future generations understand Nigeria’s challenges and avoid repeating mistakes.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.