SECESSIONIST AGITATIONS IN CONTEMPORARY NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF IPOB AND THE RESURGENCE OF BIAFRA (1999–2024)

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study Since Nigeria’s amalgamation in 1914 and subsequent independence in 1960, the country has grappled with ethno-regional tensions and identity politics. The secessionist crisis that culminated in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) left a profound legacy of distrust and marginalization, particularly among the Igbo ethnic group. In the post-war period, while overt armed confrontation abated, the grievances that fueled the Biafran agitation persisted, re-emerging with renewed force in the Fourth Republic. With the advent of democratic rule in 1999, groups like the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) emerged, setting the stage for the more radical and organized Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), founded by Nnamdi Kanu in 2012. IPOB has since become the most vocal and internationally visible secessionist movement in Nigeria. The group’s activities, state responses, and the broader socio-political context reveal patterns of historical continuity and transformation in Nigerian federalism and nation-building efforts. This study traces the historical roots and recent manifestations of Biafran secessionist agitations, with a particular focus on IPOB from 1999 to 2024. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Despite Nigeria’s return to democracy, ethnic grievances and perceptions of marginalization have intensified among southeastern communities. The IPOB-led resurgence of Biafran agitation underscores unresolved issues related to federalism, resource distribution, state repression, and identity politics. Government responses, often characterized by militarization and proscription, have arguably escalated tensions rather than resolving them. There is a lack of nuanced historical analysis that connects the colonial and post-independence roots of secessionism with contemporary IPOB activities. This research seeks to fill that gap by historicizing the resurgence of Biafra within Nigeria’s post-1999 political landscape. 1.3 Objectives of the Study The primary objective of this study is to provide a historical analysis of secessionist agitations in Nigeria, with specific reference to IPOB and the resurgence of Biafra from 1999 to 2024. The specific objectives are to: • Examine the historical origins of Biafran secessionism. • Analyze the emergence and ideology of IPOB within the Fourth Republic. • Investigate the role of the Nigerian state in shaping the trajectory of IPOB's agitation. • Assess the impact of IPOB’s activities on national cohesion and security. 1.4 Research Questions • What are the historical causes of secessionist agitations in southeastern Nigeria? • How did IPOB emerge, and what distinguishes it from earlier movements like MASSOB? • In what ways has the Nigerian state’s response influenced IPOB’s operations and support base? • What are the implications of the IPOB movement for Nigeria’s unity and governance? 1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study This study focuses on the IPOB-led Biafran agitation between 1999 and 2024, situating it within the broader historical and political developments in Nigeria. Geographically, the study concentrates on the southeastern region and the Federal Government's central response. The major limitation is the paucity of government-verified data on security operations and IPOB’s internal activities due to censorship and security constraints. 1.6 Significance of the Study This research contributes to the historiography of postcolonial Nigerian politics by providing an in-depth analysis of contemporary secessionist movements. It helps scholars, policymakers, and civil society actors understand the historical underpinnings and current dynamics of IPOB’s agitation, thereby informing more constructive and historically conscious responses. 1.7 Methodology The study adopts a historical-analytical methodology, relying on both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include government publications, official IPOB statements, and oral interviews. Secondary sources include scholarly articles, books, and media reports. Data will be critically examined and contextualized within Nigeria’s historical trajectory.