Enduring The Storm: Igbo Resilience During and After the Nigerian Civil War
Conference: The 23rd Annual International Conference of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA) (2026)
Presenter(s): Obilor Victor Chigozirim
Presentation Date: May 14, 2026 @ 20:41 PM
Abstract
Resilience and Survival interrogate the Igbo philosophy of oso-ndu literally “The race for survival” as a historical and cultural framework through which the Igbo people confronted existential threats during and after the Nigerian Civil War (1967– 1970). Rooted in the proverb “oso-ndu anaghi agwu ike” (“there is no rest in the race for life”), this concept encapsulates an ethic of endurance, innovation, and collective responsibility that defined Igbo civilian experience under military siege. During the war, the Igbo population faced systematic blockades, mass starvation, and military aggression by Nigerian federal forces. Deprived of external support, civilians and local experts improvised survival mechanisms: developing local weapons, refining fuel, producing herbal medicines, and consuming unconventional food to sustain life under extreme constraint. In the postwar era, oso-ndu evolved from wartime necessity into a strategy of recovery and advancement. Despite political marginalization and economic dispossession, Igbo communities rebuilt through self-help, communal solidarity, and adaptive entrepreneurship. Institutions such as the igba-boi apprenticeship system facilitated the transfer of skills, capital, and resilience across generations, while migration and trade networks extended survival strategies beyond regional boundaries. This presentation argues that oso-ndu functions as both memory and method: a philosophy forged in war that continues to guide Igbo responses to adversity. By situating Igbo resilience within both the civilian war experience and its aftermath, the paper reframes survival not as passive endurance but as active cultural agency. It contributes to broader discussions on civilian resilience, indigenous survival strategies, and post-conflict reconstruction in African history.
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