Early Life and Education
Chukwuemeka "Emeka" Odumegwu Ojukwu was born on November 4, 1933, in Zungeru, Nigeria, during British colonial rule. He was the son of Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, a wealthy and influential Igbo businessman. Ojukwu began his education at CMS Grammar School and King's College in Lagos before transferring to Epsom College in Surrey, England. He earned a master's degree in History from Oxford University in 1955. After completing his education, he returned to Nigeria in 1956 and joined the civil service as an Administrative Officer in Udi.
Early Career
Seeking to break away from his father's influence, Ojukwu left the civil service in 1957 to enlist in the Nigerian army as a non-commissioned officer. Despite the challenges, he received an officer's commission in 1958 and underwent further military training in Ghana and the United Kingdom. Ojukwu served in various capacities, including peacekeeping missions in the Congo under Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi. By 1964, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was posted to Kano, where he commanded the 5th Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
1966 Coups and Events Leading to the Nigerian Civil War
Ojukwu was stationed in Kano during the January 1966 coup led by Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. He supported the Supreme Commander, Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi, and was subsequently appointed Military Governor of the Eastern Region. Following the July 1966 counter-coup and the ensuing anti-Igbo pogrom, Ojukwu faced significant challenges in maintaining peace and order in his region. The killings and tensions led to a standoff between Ojukwu and the new head of state, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Gowon, which escalated into the Nigerian Civil War.
Biafra
In response to the continuous killings of Igbos and the failure of peace efforts, Ojukwu declared the Eastern Region as the independent Republic of Biafra on May 30, 1967. The declaration led to the Nigerian Civil War, with Biafra experiencing severe hardships, including famine and international media coverage of the suffering. Despite efforts at peace conferences, the war persisted until Biafra capitulated in 1970. Ojukwu fled to Ivory Coast, where President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who had recognized Biafra, granted him asylum.
Return to Nigeria
In 1981, President Shehu Shagari granted Ojukwu amnesty, allowing him to return to Nigeria. Ojukwu re-entered Nigeria in 1982 and attempted to revive his political career, including a Senate run in 1983, though he faced electoral challenges and imprisonment following the 1983 coup. He married Bianca Onoh in 1994, his third marriage, and had three children. Ojukwu also ran for the presidency in 2003 and 2007 but was unsuccessful in both attempts.
Death
Ojukwu died on November 26, 2011, in London after a brief illness. His body was returned to Nigeria, where he received a state funeral with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute. He was buried in his hometown of Nnewi following a week-long funeral ceremony attended by notable figures such as President Goodluck Jonathan and former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings.
Legacy
Ojukwu remains a contentious figure in Nigerian history. Many Igbos regard him as a hero who fought for their survival during the civil war, while others blame him for the conflict and its devastating consequences. His efforts to highlight the plight of Biafran civilians during the war left a lasting impact on international perceptions of the conflict.