The Nigerian Stories Archive provides a space for people to explore the experiences and perspectives of those who underwent the Nigerian-Biafran War. These stories can take on a plethora of forms, from oral accounts to photographs.
We aim to center the Nigerian-Biafran war around first-hand, indigenous experiences to reimagine african archives within public spaces.
By creating a network of africanist scholars and providing authentic scholarship, we can forward indigenous-accounts of african history within academia.
NSA strives to empower African coalitions by celebrating African culture, providing overlooked education on African history, and building coalitions with African activists who share similar initiatives and values.
The Nigerian Civil War unearthed the political turmoil and ethnic conflict left behind by British-colonial rule. While much of the world sees Nigeria as a large exporter of crude oil, much of that is shaped by the countries' complex history of ethnogeographic tension.
1960 / Nigeria Gains Independence
Nigeria is officially its own, self-governing country outside of British Rule. Despite this network freedom, the legacy of colonial rule persists after several ethnic groups were arbitrarily conglomerated under one national identity. Overall, there were 3 major ethnic regions: the Yoruba of the West, the Igbo of the East, and the Hausa-Fulani of the North.
1966 / The Rise of Northern Hegemony
While the west had been undergoing political instability since 1962, conflict came to a breaking point after the 1965 election for the region's federal representatives. There were 2 Yoruba-dominated political groups: The Acion Group (AG) and the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). After election fraud and the improsoning of the AG's political leader, the NNDP won, resulting lots of backlash against the federal government. These riots led to the murders of northern, federal leaders. Instigators of the coup were accused of favoring Igbo sovreignty, leading The North to stage a counter-coup and murder prominent political, Igbo leaders.
1967 / War Breaks Out
After the leaders of Nigeria's prominent regions failed to settle geopolitical disputes, the East declared to seceed under a new name: the Republic of Biafra. The federal government found this to be an act of rebellion, resulting in a civil war. While the federal government received arms from the U.K. and the Soviet Union, Biafra received arms from France and aid from various international organizations to combat rampant starvation in the East.
1970 / Biafra Surrenders
The war left Nigeria scarred as there were an estimated 500,000 to 3,000,000 deaths, ethnic cleansing being one of the many contributors. While the federal government didn't impose a formal punishment on Igbos, ethnic feuds and marginalization have prolonged till today. Crude oil served as the most prominent means for the government to strengthen the economy and alleviate the aftermath of war.
Reach out to the NSA to speak to one of our team members about your experiences
and recollection of the war. Interviews aim to create a space for discussion
surrounding topics and events such as political struggles in Nigeria, the aftermath of
war on families, and the diversity of Nigerian identity.
nigerianstories.archive@gmail.com
