How the Nigerian Civil War Affected the Nation’s Growth and Development

The Impact of the Nigerian Civil War on the Growth of the Nation

War has devastating effects, not just on the economy of a nation but on its overall welfare. Apart from the millions of lives that are lost, including children, those who do survive are not left better off. The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafra War, was one such devastating event that left the country with the consequences she’s still suffering. Let’s look at some facts about the war, why it happened, and what impact it has on the nation’s growth.

The Biafran War Explained

The Civil War was fought between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, which attempted to gain independence in 1967. The war is said to have been caused by anti-Igbo pogroms, a military coup, and a counter-coup in the Northern Region. It was indeed an experience, one gamers of crazy time live game will not want to have.

As the Igbos exited the Northern Region, they realized and concluded that the Federal Republic of Nigeria would not protect them. Therefore, they resolved to protect themselves in an independent Biafra, a decision that evoked immediate resistance from the FGN. In less than one year, the Nigerian government troops surrounded Biafra, imposing a blockade that caused mass starvation in Biafra.

The war lasted for 30 months, resulting in about 2 million Biafrans’ deaths due to starvation and 100,000 military casualties. This was one of the biggest civil wars and one of the first to be televised to a global audience.

What Impact Did the Nigerian Civil War Have on the Nation’s Growth?

The impact of the Biafran War on Nigeria’s growth was quite massive and devastating. Apart from the significant toll it had on human lives, the other aspects of the Civil War affected the nation’s growth, including:

• Economy

Due to the war, there was a disruption in cash crop production, especially exports of palmproduce. This was rather significant considering that palm produce exports were the main sourceof income for Igbo peasants. The Biafran Nation’s economy hit rock bottom due to the warbecause the Nigerian government cut them off food supplies. Moreover, since there was noactive workforce in the Biafran nation, there was a significant increase in the unemployment rate.

• Social Strata

The country’s social strata crumbled significantly during the war as lawlessness ruled the day. A lot of refugees had to leave Nigeria because of the criminal activities and riots that became the norm. Moreover, millions of people died, and the disabled, who had lost a certain quality of life, were expunged from society. In addition, the war led to a religious war between the major religions in the country: Christians and Muslims.

• Development and Security

Lawlessness became the order of the day during the war, and there was a huge spike in the level of crimes. Moreover, with the persistence of starvation, entrepreneurs and natives were constantly marauding, increasing insecurity in the country. If ever there was development in the country at this time, it was reduced to dust during the war. Even today, decades after, the insecurity has found its way and manifested in the Boko Haram insurgency, among others.

Conclusion

Although it’s been five decades since the Nigerian Civil War occurred, the negative impact of the war is still felt. Moreover, to the next generation essentially inherits these negative impacts, regenerating in other forms of conflicts.