Grammy-winning director explores Nigerian grandfather’s role in Biafran war in new documentary
Meji Alabi, a Grammy-winning director known for working with global music stars, has directed a BBC Africa Eye documentary examining Nigeria’s civil war through the personal lens of his grandfather’s involvement. The film, Surviving Biafra: Voices from the Nigerian Civil War, reveals previously unseen frontline footage and survivor testimonies from the devastating conflict that lasted from 1967 to 1970.
Why this matters
The Nigerian civil war, also called the Biafran war, was one of Africa’s bloodiest conflicts, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 to three million people, many of them children. It remains a sensitive and underexplored chapter in Nigeria’s history, with limited formal education on the topic for decades. This documentary offers new perspectives, including those from the federal army side, and preserves firsthand accounts from survivors, contributing to national dialogue and historical understanding.
Key developments
- Meji Alabi, born in London to Nigerian parents and based in the US, teamed up with his uncle Leke Alabi-Isama to create the documentary. Leke is also a filmmaker and co-founder of PriorGold Pictures in Lagos.
- Their grandfather, Godwin Alabi-Isama, was an army commando who fought for the Nigerian federal army against the Igbo-led Biafran separatists.
- The documentary features interviews with survivors in their 70s and 80s, including former female soldiers from opposing sides, an aid worker, and former BBC correspondent Martin Bell.
- It includes expert input from Igbo historians and the BBC’s Igbo service, as well as a soundtrack by Ghanaian composer Ray Michael Djan Jr, known for his work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
- The film addresses difficult topics such as war crimes allegations against the federal army’s 3 Marine Commando unit, including civilian executions and the blockade that caused mass starvation in Biafra.
Background
The Biafran war began after military coups and ethnic massacres against the Igbo people in northern Nigeria. Approximately one million Igbos fled to the south-east, declaring the independent Republic of Biafra. The Nigerian government responded with military force, leading to a brutal 30-month conflict.
The war was the first televised humanitarian disaster, with graphic images of starving children broadcast worldwide. Despite its significance, the conflict has been minimally covered in Nigerian school curricula and public discourse.
Personal impact and reflection
Leke Alabi-Isama grew up hearing stories of his father’s role as a war hero but only later confronted the full horrors of the conflict, including the suffering on the Biafran side and allegations against his father’s unit. He described a powerful moment when he showed his father footage of starving children, revealing the emotional weight of the war’s legacy.
Godwin Alabi-Isama also recounted a harrowing experience of cannibalism during the war, when his unit unknowingly ate human flesh served by villagers in occupied territory.
Both Meji and Leke expressed surprise at the scarcity of Nigerian-made films about the civil war and emphasized the importance of confronting this history openly.
Looking ahead
The Nigerian government hopes the documentary will remind citizens of the country’s progress since the war and the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and unity. Meji and Leke hope the film encourages more survivors to share their stories and helps Nigerians face their shared history with honesty and empathy.
“We really hope this documentary encourages more survivors to tell their stories and document our history further. It’s up to us to do it,” Meji said.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
