Nigerian Army Senior officers, both serving and retired, most especially Civil War veterans, former Nigerian President, President Olusegun Obasanjo, and participants of the Army War College Course 9/2025, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, converged at the Tukur Buratai Auditorium of the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja for the sixth edition of its Nigerian Civil War (NCW) Symposium, hosted by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede who was ably represented by Major General P. Eremosele.
The theme for this year's edition, "The Role of Disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War." focuses on the critical role of leadership and the decision-making process at the operational level, that is, managing the information space.
Declaring the 6th edition of the Army War College Nigeria Symposium on the Nigeria Civil War open the Special Guest of Honour His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a Civil War veteran, advocated for the diligent study of history, particularly Military history, to bring out and apply valuable lessons to our contemporary and future security challenges.
"Winston Churchill also said in a quote, a nation that forgets its past has no future And learning from these quotations, no doubt we must be deliberate and diligent in the study of history, particularly military history, to bring out and apply valuable lessons to our contemporary and future security challenges History serves as the memory of the past and will recall to serve the future. "he said
Chief Obasanjo said the symposium is to reflect on a pivotal moment and very important period in Nigeria's history, the Civil War.
"This fratricidal conflict, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, a period of 30 months, left an indelible mark on our nation's collective memory and continued to shape our identity and our attitude. The war's complex causes, consequences, and lessons offer valuable insights for us all.
Obasanjo added that the theme of the symposium is to discredit a superior force in asymmetric wars. "Disinformation played a significant role in the Nigerian Civil War, exacerbating tensions and influencing public opinion inside and outside the country.
He noted that the same strategy is currently being employed by the insurgents in the North East and other violent groups in other parts of Nigeria
He urged the participants of Army War Course 9¬2025, to use this singular opportunity to learn as much as they can, Open up new vistas and perspectives in their mind and find equitable ways of applying the lessons learned for the good of the Nigerian Army and indeed for the good of the nation at large.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, AWCN, Major General Umar Muhammed Alkali explained that the Nigerian Civil War Symposium is included in the military history module to learn from the past.
Major General Alkali said the symposium is a key component of Module 6 (Military History) of the AWCN curriculum, offering a platform for academic discourse, reflection, and knowledge sharing on the Nigerian Civil War, an event of profound historical significance.
"This is in keeping with the popular maxim that, and I quote, a generation that ignores history has no past or future, end of quote.
"The symposium provides an avenue to academically dissect the strategic, operational, and tactical activities of the Nigerian Civil War for better comprehension of battlefield events and outcomes, to bring out useful lessons that could assist in addressing the contemporary security threats facing the nation.
"Towards achieving this goal, erudite scholars and experts in military history and retired officers who witnessed the war are invited to share their thoughts and personal experiences. The erudite composition of the resource persons always ensures that the audience, particularly our participants, gain fresh and rewarding insights from issues to be discussed," he said
The Guest Lecturer, CBN Ogbogbo, the Vice-Chancellor of Admiralty University of Nigeria, Delta State, presented a paper on "The role of disinformation in the Nigerian Civil War", noting that this has always been employed as a means of justifying the reason for going to war.
He noted that it has therefore become very easy to manipulate the performance of actors in a conflict, and their supporters. Disinformation is used to influence and manage public opinion.
"Carl Von Clausewita reminds us that war arises and derives its nature from ideas, feelings and socio-economic & political dimensions in technology and the digital revolution, coupled with the emergence Al invention have greatly altered and complexified the dimensions of disinformation.
"Given the nature of disinformation, which caused considerable disquiet in Britain and the international community, resulting in several debates in the British Parliament, the conclusion was that civil war
"Biafran propaganda won the hearts and minds of a considerable number of the British population and organisations. Intensified the raising of funds for the Biafran cause. Delayed British government approval for the sale of arms to Nigeria. Resulted in protests in Britain in support of Biafra.
"Although Biafra won the sympathy of the Churches, a number of non-governmental organisations and a good number of British citizens, the government in power remained resolute in support of the FGN. Biafra won the support of Tanzania, Côte d'Ivoire, Zambia." he said
The Highlight of the Army War College Nigeria Annual Civil War Symposium features presentations and discussions by scholars and invited guests on how disinformation shaped narratives, strategies, and public perception during the conflict.