Nigeria and Biafra: My Story — A First-Hand Account of the Nigerian Civil War

Nigeria and Biafra: My Story is a memoir written by Major General Philip Effiong, the second and final President of the Republic of Biafra, and formerly the Chief of General Staff of the Biafran Armed Forces. The book stands as one of the most important first-hand narratives of the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), offering a rare insider’s military and political perspective on the conflict.

Authorship and Historical Significance

Philip Effiong occupies a unique place in Nigerian history. Following the death of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Effiong assumed leadership of Biafra in January 1970 and was the man who formally announced Biafra’s surrender, effectively ending the war. His position placed him at the centre of decisive moments in the conflict’s final days.
As such, Nigeria and Biafra: My Story is not a secondary historical interpretation but an eyewitness account written by a principal actor, making it invaluable to scholars, students, and readers interested in Nigeria’s political and military history.

Content and Perspective

The book provides:

A personal narrative of Effiong’s life before and during the war

Detailed insight into Biafra’s military structure and decision-making processes

Reflections on the human cost of the war, including suffering, displacement, and loss

An account of the circumstances surrounding Biafra’s collapse and surrender

Unlike propagandist wartime literature, Effiong’s tone is widely regarded as reflective and restrained, focusing on lessons, mistakes, and moral complexities rather than triumphalism.

Historical Value

The Nigerian Civil War remains one of Africa’s most consequential post-independence conflicts. Effiong’s memoir contributes significantly to:

Understanding the internal dynamics of the Biafran leadership

Documenting the final phase of the war from within Biafra

Preserving a Biafran voice in a conflict often narrated primarily from the federal perspective

For historians, the book complements other primary sources such as speeches, military communiqués, and international diplomatic records.

Publication

The edition referenced is a Sungai Book, published by African Tree Press. While multiple editions and reprints of Effiong’s memoir have circulated over the years, African Tree Press is known for republishing historically significant African political texts for modern audiences.

Legacy

Nigeria and Biafra: My Story remains a key text for anyone seeking to understand the Nigerian Civil War beyond headlines and casualty figures. It humanises the conflict while preserving the voice of a man who played a decisive role in bringing it to an end.

Source

Philip Effiong, Nigeria and Biafra: My Story, African Tree Press (Sungai Book edition)

General historical records on the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970)