The Hidden Triggers Behind Nigeria’s Bloodiest War

What if Nigeria’s deadliest war wasn’t just about tribal differences, but something deeper—something carefully set in motion?

In 1960, Nigeria became independent from British rule. But instead of peace, independence brought tension. Nigeria had many ethnic groups, but three held the most power:

Hausa-Fulani in the North
Yoruba in the West
Igbo in the East

The British had forced all these different people into one country. This created quiet rivalry and deep mistrust.
Then in January 1966, a group of mainly Igbo soldiers staged a coup. They killed top leaders from the North. This led to fear and anger. By July 1966, northern officers hit back with a second coup. This time, thousands of innocent Igbo people were killed across the North.

The East, led by Colonel Ojukwu, had had enough. In 1967, they declared a new country—Biafra. But the Nigerian government saw this as a breakaway act. And so began a bloody civil war.The war was devastating. Over 2 million people—mostly children—died, not just from fighting but from hunger and sickness. Other countries got involved—some sold weapons, others looked the other way.

By 1970, Biafra gave up. The Nigerian government said, “no winner, no loser.” But the scars remained. After the war, many Igbos faced hardship, distrust, and rejection. Even now, some are still calling for justice, healing, or even separation.

So we ask:
Is Nigeria truly united, or just holding on?