Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has stirred fresh calls for justice, as Igbo leaders rally behind demands for an apology and compensation over the Nigerian Civil War.
In his memoir, A Journey In Service, IBB dispelled the long-standing notion that the 1966 coup was an Igbo-driven plot. He revealed that Major John Obienu, an Igbo officer, played a crucial role in suppressing the mutiny and that senior Igbo officers were also among the casualties.
This revelation has reignited conversations about the historical injustices suffered by the Igbo people, particularly during the war that lasted from 1967 to 1970.
A Renewed Call for Justice
Leading the charge, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has demanded an official apology from President Bola Tinubu and N10 trillion in compensation. According to the group, the coup’s aftermath triggered a series of tragic events that culminated in the Biafran War, during which an estimated three million Igbo—mostly women and children—lost their lives.
Deputy National President of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, emphasized that restitution is long overdue. “The sheer scale of loss suffered by the Igbo people demands acknowledgment and redress,” he stated.
Backing from Prominent Voices
Support for the demand has surged, with Igbo leaders and organizations calling for action.
Chief Goddy Uwazurike, former president of Aka Ikenga, argued that compensation should come in the form of infrastructural development rather than direct cash payments. “Many public infrastructures destroyed during the war—schools, hospitals, and roads—still bear the scars. The federal government must step in and rebuild,” he urged.
Similarly, APGA chieftain Chief Chekwas Okorie described the demand as legitimate but stressed the need for strategic lobbying. “The Southeast Development Commission, recently signed into law by President Tinubu, is a step in the right direction. Now, Igbo leaders must push for substantial funding to ensure its effectiveness,” he said.
Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo echoed these sentiments, stating that Nigeria must acknowledge past injustices for true national unity. “An official apology and compensation would not only heal wounds but also address the ongoing marginalization of the Igbo people,” he asserted.
Time for Truth and Reconciliation?
Advocates like Ugochimereze Chinedu Asuzu, convener of IkoroNdigbo Assembly, argue that the call for reparations must be rooted in a broader historical context. “IBB’s revelation is not new—other leaders like Olusegun Obasanjo and Odumegwu Ojukwu have made similar statements. However, the demand for justice should not rest solely on IBB’s words but on the undeniable facts of history,” Asuzu said.
The President-General of the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Goodluck Ibem, also weighed in, blaming the false narrative of an “Igbo coup” for decades of discrimination. “This misconception led to the mass killings of over five million Igbo and a systemic exclusion from full political participation,” he noted.
A Path Forward?
With the renewed push for justice gaining momentum, pressure is mounting on the Nigerian government to formally acknowledge the suffering of the Igbo people. Many believe that genuine reconciliation must go beyond symbolic gestures and translate into meaningful policies that address historical and structural inequalities.
Whether the government will heed these calls remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the conversation is far from over.
