The human cost, remembering and rebuilding
The war's toll, including famine, and reconciliation and reconstruction after 1970.
Planned. This module is part of the plan and is not written yet.Handled with care: read the note under Practicalities before using this module.
Why it matters
The war ended in 1970, yet its memories live on in families across Nigeria, including in Edo State, where the fighting reached the old Midwest Region in 1967. How a country remembers a war shapes how its people live together afterwards.
Draft outline · in review- For
- Level 9–12 · JSS 3 (BECE) to SSS 3 (WASSCE)
- Inside
- 6 lessons and a test · about 110 minutes
- Topic
- The Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970 · core, 2 of 4
Inside the module.
6 lessons in order, about 110 minutes in all, then a short test. Learners go at their own pace; the minutes are a guide, not a timetable.
Draft outline · in review
Lesson 1: Life in wartime
How the war disrupted homes, schools, farms and markets in the East and the Midwest, and why most of those who died were civilians.
Explain20 min, from minute 0
Lesson 2: Famine and the relief effort
The blockade, hunger and disease, the churches and aid groups that flew food in at night, and why estimates of the number who died vary so widely. Sources tell people's stories without dwelling on suffering.
Investigate20 min, from minute 20
Lesson 3: No victor, no vanquished
General Gowon's words at the end of the war in January 1970, and the federal plan for reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Explain15 min, from minute 40
Lesson 4: Was it enough?
Led by the facilitator: weigh the policy's successes, such as the return of many Easterners to public service, against critiques such as the flat £20 paid to each Biafran bank account holder and disputes over property declared 'abandoned'. Anyone may opt out.
Discussion25 min, from minute 55
Lesson 5: Remembering with care
How the National War Museum in Umuahia and family memories keep the war in view, and how to plan respectful oral-history questions, knowing that nobody has to share a family story.
Investigate20 min, from minute 80
Lesson 6: Review
Mixed questions on the war's cost, the post-war policy and how it is judged, with feedback on each.
Review10 min, from minute 100
End-of-module test
Explain how the war affected ordinary people, describe the post-war policy, weigh different judgements of it, and explain why careful remembrance matters.
Mastered at 85% or more. Retake it until you pass; nothing is lost, and each try gives feedback.
Already know it? A Challenge Test (planned) clears the whole module: 90% overall, no objective below 75%.
Last stageafter about 110 min
Practicalities
Draft outline · in reviewHandle with care
For facilitators: this module is age-gated, and its discussions are led by you in person, not left to the screen. Some learners' families may have lived through these events. Anyone may opt out of a discussion without giving a reason; check in with them quietly afterwards and offer support.The Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970: conflict, famine and loss of life. Families may have lived through it. Not shown below Level 9. Will come with a facilitator note. To be reviewed by people from the communities concerned.
Built to run offline
Planned to run on the Lantern's own computer, with no internet needed.
Beyond the screen
With the facilitator
Languages
Planned first in English; every module aims to reach all of the Lantern's languages.
Try a question.
One question from the module, as a learner would meet it. Have a go, then open the worked solution a step at a time.
Draft outline · in review
At the end of the war in January 1970, General Gowon declared that there was 'no victor, no vanquished'. Why might a former federal official and a family who lived in Biafra during the war judge this policy differently?
Work it out on paper first, then show the answer and mark it yourself.
Particulars
Where it sits
History · Nigerian history · The Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970
What a learner can do after it
- Explain how the war affected ordinary people, including the famine in Biafra during the blockade, and why estimates of the dead vary.
- Explain the 'no victor, no vanquished' policy and the post-war plan for reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
- Weigh different judgements of how well Nigeria reconciled and rebuilt after 1970.
- Explain why remembering the war with care matters, and plan respectful oral-history questions.
Needs first
This module has no prerequisites of its own. Like every first step, it assumes the Digital skills gateway: the first module on using a computer, which a Challenge Test clears in minutes.
Unlocks
Nothing requires this module yet.
Level
Level 9–12 · JSS 3 (BECE) to SSS 3 (WASSCE)
Level mappings are approximate. A qualified teacher or lecturer in each country must check them before they appear in the app.
Difficulty for its level
2 of 4 · Core
Time
About 110 minutes
Alignments
None drafted yet.
Alignment in review until a qualified teacher or lecturer checks it. No exam body, university or vendor endorses us; learners still sit the real exam.
Challenge Test
Planned: a Challenge Test to prove you know it and skip it. Pass at 90% overall, with no objective below 75%.
University courses it previews
History and International Studies, Political Science
The route here.
Everything this module builds on, drawn as a route from its foundations. Solid lanes must be mastered first, or cleared by a Challenge Test; dashed lanes are suggestions that never lock anything.
This module has no prerequisites of its own. Like every first step, it assumes the Digital skills gateway: the first module on using a computer, which a Challenge Test clears in minutes.
Help light the room where this is learned.
Every route on this map starts in a classroom with 24 stations, a tutor that works offline and a facilitator upstairs. Four are planned and waiting for light.