The Nigerian Civil War, a conflict that ravaged the country from 1967 to 1970, was significantly influenced by disinformation, according to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This revelation was made during the Sixth Edition of the Annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium, which was organized by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Abuja. The symposium, themed “The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War,” highlighted the crucial role that false information played in exacerbating tensions and shaping public opinion during the conflict.
Obasanjo emphasized that disinformation, propaganda, and psychological warfare are tactics often employed by weaker forces to discredit their opponents in asymmetric wars. He noted that these strategies were used during the Nigerian Civil War and are still being utilized by insurgents in the North East and other violent groups in Nigeria today. The former president stressed the importance of understanding the past to navigate the present and build a more equitable future for all Nigerians. He commended the AWCN for including the study of the civil war in its curriculum, which will help operational leaders apply valuable lessons from past campaigns to current operations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the symposium’s theme, describing it as a vital platform for nurturing intellectual capacity within the military. He reiterated the army’s commitment to building a combat-ready force guided by sound leadership and informed strategy. The Commandant of AWCN, Maj-Gen. Umar Alkali, explained that the symposium was designed to enhance the intellectual and leadership capacity of officers, allowing them to analyze past military operations and draw practical lessons from historical campaigns.
The guest lecturer, Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, dissected the role of propaganda, media manipulation, and false narratives during the conflict, illustrating how misinformation often shaped public perception and policy decisions. By understanding how disinformation influenced the Nigerian Civil War, the military can better manage the information space in today’s battles. The symposium provided valuable insights into the complex causes, consequences, and lessons of the war, offering a unique opportunity for intellectual growth and strategic planning within the military.
In today’s era of asymmetric warfare, the study of the Nigerian Civil War serves as a critical reminder of the dangers of disinformation and the importance of media and information operations in conflict resolution and nation-building. As Obasanjo noted, “a child that does not learn history will be told history,” highlighting the need for Nigeria to be deliberate and diligent in studying its past to build a better future. The symposium’s focus on the role of disinformation in the civil war serves as a timely reminder of the need for accurate information and critical thinking in navigating the complexities of modern warfare.
