The Republic of Biafra, also known as the Independent State of Biafra, was an unrecognized secessionist state in the southeastern region of Nigeria that existed from May 30, 1967, to January 1970. The population of the new republic was estimated to be between 3 million and 5 million people — predominantly Igbo, accounting for approximately 70% of the total population. This was due to discrimination that was mainly aimed at ethnic minorities and largely favored the political and cultural interests of the Hausa-Fulani people.
“The struggle for African liberation is not new. These movements persist across generations because the wound that created them was never fully healed.”
Before we begin.
Since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, there has been agitation for the secession of the Igbo people from Nigeria. This has led to much turmoil and violence over the years, with little prospect of an independent Biafra. Recent events have given new hope to those wanting Biafra’s independence. In this post, we examine the causes of the agitation and the prospects for an independent Biafra. The struggle for African liberation is not new — our African Liberation Day reflections on Ubuntu and ancestral freedom provide essential historical context for understanding why these movements persist across generations.
How to go about bringing back Biafra.
The idea of Biafra has been a source of turmoil in Nigeria for many years. The primary prospect for reviving Biafra is through agitation and protests. This can be a perilous thing to do, considering the Nigerian government’s track record in handling such situations. There have been many cases of people being killed or disappearing during these protests, so it is important to be careful and well-informed before participating in them. That being said, the cause is worth fighting for, and the people of Biafra deserve their own country where they can live in peace and prosperity.
Why must we bring back Biafra?
Biafra was a republic in Nigeria that existed for just over two and a half years, from 1967 to 1970. The main reason for its existence was the economic, political, and cultural turmoil going on within Nigeria at the time. Even though it only existed for a short time, the Republic of Biafra left a lasting impression on those alive during its time. The Nigerian Civil War broke out when General Yakubu Gowon declared himself Head of State after some military officers overthrew their superiors. The war lasted from July 6, 1967, until January 15, 1970, and killed an estimated 1 million people. With this knowledge in mind: what good will come from continued silence? And what obligation does the international community carry?
What will it take?
It will take more than just agitation to bring about the rebirth of Biafra. It will take international recognition, a strong and organized movement, and the sustained support of the people. The first step is to build support within Nigeria and around the world — through protests, social media campaigns, and rallying solidarity from other nations with similar experiences of colonial fracture and suppressed self-determination. Once there is enough support, the next step is to secede from Nigeria and declare independence on terms the world cannot ignore.
Where are we now?
Over fifty years ago, the Republic of Biafra seceded from Nigeria. The ensuing war claimed the lives of over three million people. Now, a new generation of leaders is agitating for the secession of Biafra — demanding economic autonomy and political self-determination. They believe the federal government has failed to protect the rights and interests of the Biafran people. The question is, will their agitation lead to the rebirth of Biafra?
“A new generation is demanding economic autonomy and political self-determination. The question is not whether their cause is just — but whether the world is ready to hear it.”
References
- ‣ Achebe, C. (2012). There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra. Penguin Books.
- ‣ Eze, V. C. (2019). Examining selected newspapers’ framing of the renewed Biafran agitation in Nigeria (2016–2017). Interações: Sociedade e as Novas Modernidades, 37. doi.org/10.31211/interacoes.n37.2019.a1
- ‣ Madueke, J., & Nwonwu, F. O. (2020). Youth activism and separatist movements in South-East Nigeria. African Security Review, 29(4), 325–342.
- ‣ Nwankwo, B. C., & Ike, C. O. (2016). Civil resistance and self-determination: IPOB’s place in Nigeria’s federal dilemma. Journal of African Union Studies, 5(2), 95–115.
- ‣ Uzoigwe, G. N. (2011). Visions of Nationhood: Biafra in History and Memory. University of Rochester Press.
- ‣ Vanguard Newspaper — Echoes of Biafra: Fresh Fears Over a Recurring Agitation (2014)
- ‣ Obi, C. I. (2018). Resource control politics and renewed Biafra separatism. African Studies Review, 61(3), 78–102.
- ‣ International Crisis Group — Nigeria’s IPOB: An Arrogant Uprising or a Plea for Justice? Africa Report No. 300 (2021)
- ‣ Ojukwu, E. C. O. (1989). Because I Am Involved. Spectrum Books.
- ‣ Omeje, K., & Mbah, P. O. (2022). Digital activism and the Biafra movement: Social media as a mobilising force. Information, Communication & Society, 25(6), 778–795.
- ‣ United Nations Human Rights Office — Nigeria: Reported Use of Excessive Force Against Separatist Protesters (2022)
Community is the medicine.
The Biafran people’s struggle for self-determination is a story of communities refusing erasure. Ubuntu Village stands with every people asserting their right to exist, lead, and heal on their own terms.
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Related Reading
- ‣ End Bad Governance: A Nigerian Youth’s Perspective
- ‣ Colonialism and Global Health Policy
- ‣ Mirror Neurons, Communal Healing & the African Science of Showing Up
- ‣ Who Taught You to See Yourself That Way? What African Ancestral Traditions Have Always Known About Beauty
About the author
Michele Mitchell
Founder, President & CEO — Ubuntu Village Inc.
Michele Mitchell is the Founder, President, and CEO of Ubuntu Village Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering communities across the African diaspora through ancestral wisdom, public health advocacy, and digital innovation — with active programs across East Harlem, Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria.
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