The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), also known as the Biafran War, was shaped by a combination of ethnic tensions, political instability, and economic disparities. Battles were fought not only on the field but also over control of Nigeria’s emerging natural resource: oil. This resource quickly became a central factor in military strategies, international diplomacy, and the post-war political economy of Nigeria, highlighting the complex interplay between natural resources and conflict in a post-colonial state.
EXPLORE: Nigerian Civil War
The Emergence of Oil as a National Asset
Commercial oil production in Nigeria began in 1956 at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta with Shell-BP operations. By the 1960s, oil had become Nigeria’s main export, accounting for roughly 70–75% of foreign earnings, surpassing agriculture.
The Eastern Region, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo, contained a significant portion of these oil reserves, particularly in areas around Port Harcourt and parts of the Niger Delta. This economic potential made the region strategically important to both the federal government and the emerging Biafran leadership, turning oil into a key element in the political and military calculations that led to war.
Oil and the Path to Secession
Nigeria’s post-independence politics were marked by deep ethnic divisions and military instability. The January 1966 coup, followed by counter-coups, led to the assassination of political leaders and widespread massacres of Igbos in the North. These events intensified calls for secession.
On May 30, 1967, Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the independence of the Eastern Region as the Republic of Biafra. Control over oil resources became central to the Biafran leadership’s strategy, not only for economic survival but also as leverage to gain international recognition. Multinational companies like Shell-BP, which managed the majority of Nigeria’s oil, were strategically significant in this dynamic, although Biafra had limited operational control over production.
Oil as a Strategic Asset During the War
Oil shaped the strategies of both sides during the conflict:
Federal Government Control
The Nigerian federal government quickly sought to secure oil-producing areas, including strategic sites such as Bonny Island, to ensure continuity of revenue and deny Biafra access to oil. Control over these facilities helped sustain federal operations and limit Biafra’s capacity to finance the war.
Biafran Strategy
Biafra aimed to leverage its partial control over oil facilities to gain international recognition and support. However, the federal blockade of ports and pipelines severely restricted Biafra’s ability to export oil, limiting its revenue and weakening its economic base.
International Interests
Foreign powers, particularly the United Kingdom, had substantial economic interests in Nigerian oil. Shell-BP, a British-Dutch company, controlled most of Nigeria’s oil production, with a significant portion in the Eastern Region. The UK provided political and logistical support to the federal government, partly to protect these investments.
READ MORE: Ancient & Pre-Colonial Nigeria
Humanitarian Consequences of Oil-Driven Conflict
The war’s focus on oil-rich regions had severe humanitarian implications:
- Blockade and Famine:The federal blockade led to widespread shortages of food and medical supplies, resulting in a famine that claimed the lives of an estimated 500,000 to 3 million civilians.
- Environmental Impact:Military operations targeting infrastructure caused localized environmental damage, while broader ecological degradation in the Niger Delta largely occurred during subsequent decades of oil exploitation.
Post-War Implications and Legacy
Biafra’s defeat in January 1970 led to the reintegration of the Eastern Region into Nigeria, but oil’s wartime role left lasting effects:
- Centralized Control:The federal government consolidated management of oil revenues, which became the backbone of Nigeria’s post-war economic policy.
- Resource Control Debates:Concentration of oil wealth in federal hands fueled regional grievances, particularly in the Niger Delta, leading to persistent calls for greater local control.
- Environmental and Human Rights Concerns:While wartime environmental damage was limited, the long-term effects of oil extraction and human rights issues remain central to Nigeria’s socio-political discourse.
Author’s Note
The Nigerian Civil War illustrates the critical influence of natural resources on conflict, strategy, and governance. Oil shaped battles, determined international alliances, and influenced post-war policy. Its legacy continues to affect political tensions, economic policy, and regional demands in Nigeria today, underscoring the importance of equitable resource management in preventing conflict.
References:
Uche, C. (2008). Oil, British Interests and the Nigerian Civil War. Journal of African History, 49(1), 111–135. Cambridge University Press
Warren, G. B. (1979). Petroleum and The Nigerian Civil War 1967–1970. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 17(2), 235–254. JSTOR
Nafziger, E. W. (1972). The Economic Impact of the Nigerian Civil War. The Journal of Modern African Studies, 10(3), 405–420. JSTOR
Klieman, K. A. (2012). U.S. Oil Companies, the Nigerian Civil War, and the Origins of Opacity in the Nigerian Oil Industry. The Journal of American History, 99(1), 85–112. JSTOR
