Biafra as an autonomous region of Nigeria

Could Biafra do will enough in the Nigerian civil war to become an autonomous region of Nigeria but not will enough to gain independence

Would such an autonomous region last or would Nigeria dissolve it
 
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A Biafran autonomous region implies a homogenous, united, Nigerian nation outside of the Biafra region. Biafra could gain power from the capital (Lagos back then) within a broader federalist framework for Nigeria, but it would be strange for only Biafra to gain autonomy.

Since independence, the number of states in Nigeria has increased from 3 to 36. The country is almost evenly split between Muslims in the North and Southern Christians, with each religious group comprised of several distinct religious groups (Igbo, Hausa-Fulani, etc.). Nigeria's internal diversity is like an African analogue of the British Raj gaining independence as one state.

Nowadays Nigerian democracy has stabilized and the Northerners and Southerners alternate control over the presidency, but Nigerian politics is still largely defined by North vs. South cultural divides.
 
A Biafran autonomous region implies a homogenous, united, Nigerian nation outside of the Biafra region. Biafra could gain power from the capital (Lagos back then) within a broader federalist framework for Nigeria, but it would be strange for only Biafra to gain autonomy.
I was thinking as Biafran autonomy as compromise agreement for Nigerian civil war as opposed to anything coming from a context of normal governance.

I just realized I didn't mention the Nigerian civil war in the op
 
I was thinking as Biafran autonomy as compromise agreement for Nigerian civil war as opposed to anything coming from a context of normal governance.

I just realized I didn't mention the Nigerian civil war in the op
Nigeria probably wouldn't go for an autonomous region, the degree of fiscal autonomy Biafra has would be a sticking point of any agreement. Biafra has most of Nigeria's oil industry, so they would want to keep as much of the revenue in their own region, but the central government would want control over the oil revenue to pay for the military and provide patronage for the rest of the country.
 
Nigeria probably wouldn't go for an autonomous region, the degree of fiscal autonomy Biafra has would be a sticking point of any agreement. Biafra has most of Nigeria's oil industry, so they would want to keep as much of the revenue in their own region, but the central government would want control over the oil revenue to pay for the military and provide patronage for the rest of the country.
Could something like 50/50 split be possible ?
 
How much of the oil producing areas of the Delta would Biafra control thought? As I understand it, the tribes living on those lands haven't always been friendly with the Igbo.
 
Could something like 50/50 split be possible ?

Without being overtly pessimistic, it's hard to imagine a scenario where this would come about. Whilst Biafra did have outside French support, the Nigerian government was recognised by both the UK and the Soviet Union. They were the internationally-recognised government.

If the Biafrans are successful enough on the battlefield, they will simply secede altogether. If the Nigerians are successful, they won't grant any autonomy (like OTL).

If the Biafrans somehow get the Yoruba inside enough for them to secede after a prolonged civil war, I could see the war-weary and unstable Nigerian govt negotiating for nation-wide federalism. But for Biafra alone? Doubtful.
 
If the Biafrans are successful enough on the battlefield, they will simply secede altogether. If the Nigerians are successful, they won't grant any autonomy (like OTL).

Biafra had half the troops of Nigeria and supply issues from the blockade.
 
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