Five innovations that came out of the Nigeria-Biafra war 

Six short years after Nigeria gained independence from the British, the country was drawn into a conflict that metamorphosed into a civil war in July 1967. The war which saw the death of an estimated 1 to 3 million people was fought between the Nigerian government and the newly formed Republic of Biafra. 

Biafra was made up of the states in the Eastern Region of Nigeria, who seceded from the country following an ethnic pogrom targeted mainly against the Igbos in the North. The Nigerian government did not take the secession lightly. And the Nigeria-Biafra war broke out when diplomatic talks between both parties failed. 

Due to the lack of access to many essential resources during the war, necessity became the mother of invention. Most of the innovation were weaponry from the Biafran side. Scientists, mainly from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (then University of Biafra), formed the Research and Production (RAP) Organisation of Biafra which invented many of these machines.

Among many inventions that came out of the war, here are some notable ones.

• Ogbunigwe (Ojukwu Bucket)

Ogbunigwe loosely means ‘mass killer’, and it was designed to accomplish that goal. It was made from series of improvised explosive devices, command detonation mines, and rocket-propelled missiles. It had the capacity to eliminate anyone within its reach and many soldiers were wary of the device. The surface to surface missile had many modifications that could convert it to a rocket launcher. Ogbunigwe and its production was dismantled and prohibited after the war.

• Biafran pot (Mini refinery)

There are claims that this long, round pot had the capability of converting palm oil into refined petrol and diesel. While that may not be entirely true, the Biafran pot which was built with heavy crafted metal was able to refine crude oil into kerosene, petrol and aviation fuel for military, and public use. The project was abandoned after the war.

• Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)

In the absence of an armoured vehicle to carry some of its frontliners closer to the enemy lines, the Biafran engineers designed their own armoured carrier nicknamed Red Devil. It was powered by sophisticated machine guns. The APC came in four variations and could manoeuvre difficult terrains. Like all other inventions during the war, the armoured vehicles were dismantled. It was in 2012 that Nigeria finally built an indigenous armoured personnel carrier codenamed ‘Igirigi’.

• Converting commercial aircraft to Fighter Jets

Perhaps one of the greatest feats of the time was the conversion of commercial planes to fighter jets. The weaponized jets made the Biafran Air Force one of the most effective units during the war. 

• Airstrip at Uli

After being cornered from all sides and cut-off from the rest of the world, the Biafran side was able to construct an airstrip in Uli. The Uli Airstrip facilitated many flights that brought in mainly food and aid materials. Most of the aircraft were operated or contracted by “Joint Church Aid”, often referred to as “Jesus Christ Airlines” from the initials JCA. It flew in primarily from Sao Tome and Cotonou.

By the time the war was over, all these inventions were discontinued by the Nigerian government. And most of them can still be found today at the National War Museum in Umuahia, Abia state.