Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned that many of the conditions that led to the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 still exist, urging Nigerians to work collectively to prevent another national conflict.
According to a Punch report published on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Obasanjo made the remarks in Abeokuta while receiving historical materials documenting the Asaba Massacre and other civil war events at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
The collection, presented by Chief Chuck Nduka-Eze, Chairman of the Asaba Memorial Trust and the Asaba Image Branding and Project Committee, includes books, research publications, eyewitness accounts, recorded interviews, and video footage aimed at preserving the history of the massacre.
Reflecting on his role during the civil war, Obasanjo acknowledged that despite participating in the conflict, he could not provide a full account of the Asaba Massacre.
“I must confess, and you know that I was involved in the civil war. When people talk about the Asaba Massacre, I always confess that I can’t give details of it,” he said.
He stressed that the lessons of the civil war must not be forgotten and called for sustained efforts to preserve Nigeria’s unity and prevent a repeat of such a tragedy.
