Obasanjo: Propaganda Deepened Nigerian Civil War Crisis
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said disinformation played a major role in worsening the Nigerian civil war, which lasted from 1967 to 1970.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the sixth edition of the annual Nigerian civil war symposium, Obasanjo emphasized that false information and psychological tactics were deliberately used to escalate the conflict.
“Disinformation played a significant role in the Nigerian civil war, exacerbating tensions and influencing public opinion,” he said at the event, which was organised by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).
Obasanjo, who fought in the war as a military officer and later became Nigeria’s civilian president in 1999, stated that disinformation, propaganda, and psychological warfare were often tools employed by weaker forces to discredit stronger opponents during conflict.
“The same strategy is currently being employed by the insurgents in the north-east and other violent groups in other parts of Nigeria,” he warned.
He also praised the AWCN for integrating the study of the civil war into its academic curriculum. “This fratricidal conflict left an indelible mark on our nation’s collective memory and continues to shape our identity,” Obasanjo said.
He urged the military and national institutions to reflect on past conflicts to understand current security challenges. “The war’s complex causes, consequences and lessons offer valuable insights for us all.”
Commandant of the AWCN, Umar Alkali, said the symposium was designed to help participants “analyse past military operations at strategic, operational, and tactical levels.”
“By understanding how disinformation shaped the Nigerian civil war, we are better equipped to manage the information space in today’s battles,” Alkali noted.
