5 Important Things Nigeria Must Learn From the Biafran War

The Biafran War, also called the Nigerian Civil War, happened between 1967 and 1970. It was a very painful time for Nigeria. More than 2 million people lost their lives, many because of hunger and sickness. The war left deep wounds in the country and changed Nigeria forever.

Even though the war ended more than 50 years ago, the lessons it taught us are still very important today. If Nigeria wants to be peaceful and strong, we must learn from what happened during that time.

Here are five important lessons Nigeria should never forget from the Biafran War.

1. Unity Must Be Fair and Just

One big cause of the war was that some people in Nigeria, especially the Igbo from the Southeast, felt they were being treated unfairly. After Nigeria became independent in 1960, many groups started feeling left out. The Igbo people felt they did not get a fair share in government jobs or resources. This made them unhappy. Tensions grew, and the war eventually broke out.

What Nigeria must learn;

If we want to stay united as a country, every part of Nigeria must feel like they belong and are treated fairly. Jobs, money, and development projects should be shared equally among all regions and ethnic groups. Unity is not just about living together; it is about fairness and respect for everyone.

2. War Is Not the Solution

The war was very destructive. It caused huge suffering. Cities were destroyed, families were broken, and many innocent people died. The country lost many years of progress.

What Nigeria must learn;

No matter how serious the problems are, we should never solve them with violence. Talking, listening, and finding peaceful ways to solve problems are much better. Nigeria must work hard to keep peace and use laws and dialogue to settle disagreements.

3. Healing Must Include Real Help

After the war ended in 1970, the Nigerian government said, “No victor, no vanquished.” This was meant to bring peace. But many people in the Southeast were left with very little help to rebuild their lives. The government gave only £20 to each person who lost everything in the war, no matter how rich or poor they were before. This small amount made it very hard for people to start over.

What Nigeria must learn:

Words about peace are good, but real help is needed to fix problems. When a group or region has suffered, the government must give them enough support—like money, good roads, schools, and hospitals—so they can rebuild and grow. Without this, people will feel hurt and left out, which can cause more problems later.

4. Develop Every Region Fairly

Before the war, the Southeast was doing very well. Cities like Onitsha and Aba were busy markets and centers for making things like shoes and clothes. The war stopped this progress and destroyed many businesses and roads. Even after the war, the Southeast did not get enough attention or money to help it grow back fast.

What Nigeria must learn;

Every part of Nigeria must get fair attention and resources. If some areas are ignored, people there will feel left behind and angry. This can cause divisions and slow down the country’s growth. Nigeria should invest equally in all regions, building good roads, schools, and hospitals everywhere.

5. The Youth Are the Future

Many young people fought in the war, some as young as teenagers. They should have been in school or learning skills. Even today, many young people in Southeast Nigeria don’t have jobs or good opportunities. Because of this, many leave their homes to find work in other parts of Nigeria or even other countries.

What Nigeria must learn;

The future of Nigeria depends on its young people. The government and communities must give young people good education, skills training, and jobs. When young people have hope and chances to succeed, the country will be stronger and more peaceful.

What Has Changed Since the War?

Even with all these challenges, the people of Southeast Nigeria have shown great strength. Many have worked very hard to rebuild their communities and businesses. Cities like Nnewi have grown as industrial centers, making car parts and machines. Aba is known again for its small factories that produce shoes, bags, and clothes. Igbo entrepreneurs have also become successful all over Nigeria and beyond, starting businesses in many fields like manufacturing, trade, and hospitality.

What Still Needs to Be Done?

Though much progress has been made, there are still problems; Roads and infrastructure are often in bad shape.

Electricity is not steady, which hurts businesses and life in general.

Many government projects in the region are slow or stopped.

Youth unemployment remains high.

Many people still feel the government does not treat the Southeast fairly.

Conclusion

The Biafran War was a painful and difficult time for Nigeria, especially for the Southeast. It caused great loss and suffering, and the effects are still seen today. But the people of Southeast Nigeria never gave up. Through hard work and determination, they have rebuilt their lives and contributed to Nigeria’s growth. The story of their struggle and success shows how strong and hardworking they are.

For Nigeria to move forward as one country, we must learn from these lessons: unity must be fair, war should never be an option, healing must come with real support, all regions must be developed fairly, and the youth must be empowered.

Sadly, many years after the war, Nigeria has still not fully learned these lessons. Inequality, unfair treatments, and lack of equal opportunities continue to divide the country. These problems show that much work remains to build a truly united and fair Nigeria.

If Nigeria can face these issues honestly and make real changes, the country will become stronger, more peaceful, and better for all its people.