The Republic of Biafra was declared in 1967 as the eastern region of Nigeria attempted to secede following military coups, ethnic conflict, and mass killings of Igbo civilians in northern Nigeria.

The eastern region, rich in oil deposits and historically tied to regional trading networks, mobilised around the idea of a sovereign Biafran state led by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. For three years Biafra operated its own government, currency, and diplomatic missions.  The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, resulted in severe humanitarian crises due to blockade and famine. In 1970 Biafra surrendered, and the region was reintegrated into Nigeria under a policy of reconstruction and reconciliation. Despite this, many Igbo communities continued to feel politically marginalised and economically disadvantaged.  Since the 1990s various organisations, including MASSOB and IPOB, have revived the Biafran independence movement. They argue that the structural issues that led to the civil war remain unresolved and that Igbo people continue to experience underrepresentation and security challenges. 

Today Biafra remains one of the most internationally visible secessionist movements in Africa. While opinions among Igbo communities differ, the idea of Biafra endures as a potent symbol of identity, trauma, and the pursuit of political self determination.