Abuja: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has highlighted the significant role that disinformation played during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. Obasanjo made these remarks during the Sixth Edition of the Annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium, organized by the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of the symposium’s theme, “The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War,” especially in today’s era of asymmetric warfare. He discussed how tactics such as disinformation, propaganda, psychological warfare, and the spreading of false narratives are employed by weaker forces to undermine superior forces in asymmetric conflicts. Obasanjo pointed out that similar strategies are currently used by insurgents in the North East and other violent groups across Nigeria.
The former president stressed the need for Nigeria to be deliberate and diligent in studying history, in particular military history, to extract and apply valuable lessons. He quoted a popular saying that “a child that does not learn history will be told history,” underscoring that understanding the past is essential for navigating the present and building a more equitable future for all Nigerians. Furthermore, Obasanjo commended AWCN for incorporating the study of the Nigerian Civil War in its curriculum to enhance the capabilities of operational leaders in applying historical lessons to current operational planning.
The symposium also featured input from other military leaders. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. P. E. Eromosele, described the event as a crucial platform for developing intellectual capacity within the military. Oluyede praised the relevance of the theme to current operations and reiterated the army’s commitment to building a combat-ready force guided by sound leadership and informed strategy.
Additionally, Maj.-Gen. Umar Alkali, the Commandant of AWCN, noted that the symposium was designed to enhance the intellectual and leadership capacity of officers undertaking the AWCN Course 9/2025. Alkali explained that the college deliberately included the study of the civil war in its curriculum to help participants dissect and draw practical lessons from historical campaigns. He stated that understanding how disinformation shaped the Nigerian Civil War better equips the military to manage the information space in contemporary battles.
The event also featured a guest lecture by Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo, Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, who explored the role of propaganda, media manipulation, and false narratives during the conflict. He illustrated how misinformation often influenced public perception and policy decisions throughout the war.