BIAFRAN NATIONALISM AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA: HISTORICAL GRIEVANCES, IDENTITY POLITICS, SELF-DETERMINATION, AND PROSPECTS FOR DIALOGUE

Abstract

Biafran nationalism remains one of the most persistent expressions of political grievance in postcolonial Nigeria. Although the Republic of Biafra was defeated in 1970, the ideas, memories, and identities associated with Biafra have continued to shape political mobilisation in South-East Nigeria, particularly through the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and related pro-Biafra groups. This article examines Biafran nationalism as a product of historical grievances, contested identity politics, perceived marginalisation, and demands for self-determination. It argues that the resurgence of Biafran agitation cannot be reduced to secessionist extremism; rather, it reflects unresolved consequences of colonial state formation, the 1966 political crisis, the Nigerian Civil War, post-war reintegration failures, and contemporary anxieties over security, federalism, and political inclusion. The article further assesses prospects for dialogue and conflict resolution. It contends that military repression alone cannot produce durable peace. A sustainable resolution requires acknowledgment of historical harm, protection of civil liberties, inclusive federal reforms, economic investment in the South-East, diaspora engagement, and a structured national dialogue grounded in justice, dignity, and mutual recognition. The study concludes that Nigeria’s unity is more likely to endure when it is based on negotiated consent and equitable citizenship rather than coercion.