Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that disinformation played a critical role in aggravating the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and warned that the same tactics are still being deployed in modern-day conflicts across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Sixth Annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium organized by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Abuja, Obasanjo said the theme, “The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War,” was timely in an age where asymmetric warfare is reshaping the dynamics of national security.
“Disinformation, propaganda, psychological warfare, and false narratives were tools used to discredit stronger forces during the Civil War,” Obasanjo said. “These strategies are now being used by insurgents in the Northeast and other violent groups across Nigeria.”
He stressed the need for a deliberate study of Nigeria’s history—particularly military history—to glean lessons that could help prevent future conflicts. Quoting a popular adage, he said, “A child that does not learn history will be told history.”
Obasanjo commended AWCN for incorporating the Civil War into its curriculum, noting that the conflict’s causes and consequences continue to shape the Nigerian identity and offer important insights for national cohesion and military strategy.
“This fratricidal conflict left an indelible mark on our nation’s collective memory,” he said. “The study of it must not only be academic but transformative.”
Representing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, at the event, Maj.-Gen. PE Eromosele hailed the symposium as a vital platform for building the intellectual capacity of military leaders. He said the army remains committed to developing a combat-ready force grounded in sound strategy and leadership.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, Commandant of AWCN, explained that the symposium was designed to enhance the analytical and leadership skills of officers enrolled in the College’s Course 9/2025. He said understanding how disinformation influenced the Civil War would help officers manage today’s information battles more effectively.
Guest lecturer, Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, delved into the use of media manipulation, propaganda, and misinformation during the war. He illustrated how distorted narratives often shaped public opinion and national policy, sometimes with grave consequences.
The symposium underscored the military’s growing focus on information operations as a crucial component of modern warfare, reinforcing the message that battles are no longer won by firepower alone—but also by controlling narratives.
