The Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) organized a Symposium on the Nigerian Civil War for participants of Course 7/2023 on 7 June 2023. The event took place at the TY Buratai Auditorium of the College. This symposium is a crucial component of Module 6 of the AWCN curriculum, which deals with Military History. It is aimed at providing a platform for invited resource persons to share their insights on the Nigerian Civil War. Additionally, it marked the fourth symposium of its kind to be held at the College. The theme of this year’s Symposium was, “Imperatives of Critical National Infrastructure in the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Operational Level Commanders”.
The Special Guest of Honour, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff, emphasised the importance of studying the Nigerian Civil War as it holds valuable lessons that can contribute to addressing the current security challenges faced by the nation. He acknowledged that the contemporary security environment was characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. He added that understanding the history of the nation allows for an appreciation of how critical infrastructure, which takes years to build and is vital for national development, can be destroyed within a short time.
In his opening remarks, Major General Bamidele Ali Alabi, the Commandant Army War College Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the symposium mainly as a platform for invited guests to share their perspectives on the Nigerian Civil War. He further outlined the objectives of the symposium, which include studying and teaching both the operational and strategic aspects of the Nigerian Civil War and enhancing understanding of the battlefield events, operational outcomes, and all the activities that characterized the war. The annual symposium serves as a platform to bring together knowledgeable scholars, Military History experts, and retired officers who experienced the war firsthand, allowing them to share their thoughts and personal experiences.
AWCN aims to foster a deeper understanding of historical events among the participants of Course 7/2023. The insights gained from studying the war will contribute to the development of effective strategies for addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria in the present day.
