Failed Aburi Agreement and Nigeria’s National Integration
- Dr. Okoroafor Caroline Chibuzor1 & Njoku, Chinwendu, Shedrack2
- DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.23856940
- ISA Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (ISAJAHSS)
This study examines the historical impact of the failure
of the 1967 Aburi Accord on Nigeria’s national integration. Precipitated by the
political crises, ethnic rivalries, and institutional distrust following the
military coups of January and July 1966, the Aburi meeting in Ghana sought to
resolve emerging conflicts by restructuring Nigeria’s federal system toward
greater regional autonomy. Utilizing a qualitative, historical-descriptive
methodology, this research conducts a critical content analysis of secondary
data, including scholarly texts, journal articles, historical documents, and
official communiqués, to evaluate the post-conference fallout. Findings reveal
that conflicting interpretations, mutual suspicion, and the failure of both the
Federal Military Government and the Eastern Region to honor the accord severely
damaged national trust, fractured Nigeria’s federal architecture, and
ultimately triggered the declaration of Biafra and the Nigerian Civil War
(1967–1970). The study concludes that national integration cannot be realized
through mere constitutional decree, but requires genuine sincerity, equitable
representation, and structured dialogue. Furthermore, the underlying grievances
that caused the collapse of the Aburi Accord, namely central domination,
political marginalization, and resource control, remain central challenges in
contemporary Nigerian politics. The study recommends strengthening the Federal
Character Principle, enacting constitutional reforms toward true fiscal
federalism, institutionalizing
inter-ethnic conflict resolution mechanisms, and investing in civic education
alongside regional infrastructure to foster enduring national unity and
stability.
Keywords: Failed
Aburi Agreement, National Integration, Nigerian Civil War, Political Crisis,
Ethnic Conflict, Federalism, Regional Autonomy.
