Security Delima and Civil War in the New State: A Study of Nigeria Civil War
Abstract
This paper examined the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) through the lens of the security dilemma to understand how fear, mistrust, and weak institutions in a newly independent state escalated into one of Africa’s deadliest conflicts. The security dilemma, rooted in the works of Herz and Jervis, explains how defensive measures by one group are perceived as offensive threats by others, leading to spirals of insecurity and eventual conflict. Using secondary sources and content analysis, the study analyzed how the January and July 1966 coups, ethnic massacres, and mutual perceptions of insecurity created conditions that pushed the Eastern Region to declare the Republic of Biafra, triggering war with the Nigerian federal government. The findings revealed that fragile institutions, ethnic rivalries, and resource competition, particularly over oil in the Niger Delta, intensified the security dilemma and made compromise difficult. The war resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences, including mass starvation, displacement, and the death of an estimated one to three million people, while also attracting international involvement. The study concluded that the Nigerian Civil War illustrates how fragile new states, lacking strong and impartial institutions, are highly vulnerable to the security dilemma, which transforms political contestations into violent civil wars. It recommended strengthening national integration, building inclusive governance, and addressing ethnic mistrust to prevent similar conflicts in fragile post- colonial states.
Keywords
References
More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Author: Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu
Author: Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu
Author: Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey Okwesa, Uzoamaka Iwuanyanwu
Author: Funmilayo Ashore-Onisemo, Uchechi Mary-Linda Unamma, Ifeanyichukwu Jeffrey, Okwesa,
Author: Onwuzurike Peter Tobechi, Owoh Akwa Owoh, Unoh Grace Inyang, Umaru Musa
