Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that disinformation played a major role in fueling the Nigerian Civil War and continues to pose a serious threat to national cohesion and stability.
He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Sixth Annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium, organized by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Abuja.
Speaking on the symposium’s theme, “The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War,” Obasanjo, a key figure in the 1967–1970 conflict as a federal commander, emphasized the enduring dangers of propaganda, false narratives, and psychological warfare, particularly in today’s era of asymmetric conflicts.
“Disinformation exacerbated tensions during the Civil War and heavily influenced public opinion. Today, similar tactics are being used by insurgents in the North-East and other violent groups across the country,” Obasanjo warned.
He noted that the deliberate spread of misleading information is a strategic tool used by weaker forces to discredit stronger adversaries in asymmetric warfare. According to him, understanding the role of disinformation in past conflicts is key to countering it in modern security operations.
Obasanjo called for a deliberate and thorough study of Nigeria’s history, especially its military history, to extract useful lessons for national development and conflict resolution. Citing the popular adage, “a child that does not learn history will be told history,” he stressed that historical awareness is essential for understanding the present and shaping a fairer, more united future.
He commended the Army War College Nigeria for integrating the study of the Nigerian Civil War into its academic curriculum, stating that it will sharpen the analytical skills of operational-level leaders and better prepare them for future challenges.
“This fratricidal conflict left an indelible mark on our nation’s memory and continues to shape our national identity. Its complex causes and consequences must be studied to avoid repeating past mistakes,” he added.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Major-General P.E. Eromosele, described the symposium as a vital intellectual platform for refining the strategic thinking of military leaders.
Oluyede underscored the relevance of the theme to ongoing military operations, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a combat-ready force led by well-informed and strategically sound officers.
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Earlier in the event, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Major-General Umar Alkali, said the symposium was organized as part of efforts to enhance the intellectual and leadership capacities of officers enrolled in Course 9/2025.
He explained that the AWCN deliberately included the Civil War in its curriculum to provide participants with insights from past military campaigns that can inform present and future operations.
“Understanding how disinformation shaped the Nigerian Civil War allows us to better manage the information space in today’s battles, especially in joint and multi-domain environments,” Alkali stated.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Christopher Ogbogbo, Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, provided a detailed analysis of the impact of media manipulation, propaganda, and false narratives during the Civil War.
He emphasized how these tactics influenced both domestic and international perceptions of the conflict, reinforcing the need for vigilance in managing information in times of crisis.
The symposium brought together senior military officers, defense scholars, and strategic stakeholders to reflect on the Civil War’s legacy and explore how information warfare can be better understood and addressed in Nigeria’s current security environment.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insurgency, separatism, and other internal threats, the insights shared at the event highlight the importance of truthful information, historical understanding, and national unity in building a more secure and cohesive society