According to a report by The Nation on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that Nigeria must address the unresolved issues that contributed to the 1967–1970 Civil War, saying many of them remain evident in the country's institutions and among its ethnic groups. He made the remarks at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the presentation of the historical publication Asaba Massacre, written by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze.
Obasanjo said Nigeria must never experience another civil war, recalling that former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon had maintained the country would not survive another such conflict. He urged Nigerians to confront the nation's history honestly, learn from past mistakes and ensure they are never repeated. He said, “Some of the things that led to the Civil War are still with us today. How long will they continue?”
The former president, who fought in the civil war, said he could not give a detailed account of the Asaba Massacre because the operation was under the command of the late General Murtala Muhammed. He added that he would study the historical publication, including its transcripts and audio-visual materials, to better understand the events.
Obasanjo also commended Nduka-Eze for documenting the massacre, describing the preservation of historical records as important for national healing and educating future generations. The author said the book was based on extensive research, eyewitness testimonies, archival documents and recorded interviews, adding that the evidence indicated more than 1,000 unarmed men were killed after federal troops entered Asaba. He also warned that ethnic distrust and other factors that fuelled the civil war remain unresolved and continue to threaten national unity.
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