On February 21, 2025, a revelation from former Nigerian military president General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) has sparked widespread discussion across social media, particularly on X. In his newly launched autobiography, A Journey in Service, IBB addresses a long-standing narrative that has shaped Nigeria’s historical discourse: the so-called “Igbo coup” of 1966. Posts trending on X, including one from the handle @TheSerahIbrahim, highlight IBB’s assertion that this label was a false narrative, shedding new light on a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s past and challenging decades of ethnic prejudice against the Igbo people.
The Book Launch That Shook Nigeria
Launched on February 20, 2025, A Journey in Service has already made headlines, not just for its historical revelations but also for its staggering financial success. Reports indicate that the book raked in nearly N17 billion at its launch, a testament to IBB’s enduring influence and the public’s appetite for untold stories from Nigeria’s military era. Beyond the monetary milestone, the autobiography delves into critical events, including the 1966 coup, the annulled June 12, 1993 election, and IBB’s tenure as a military leader. However, it’s the debunking of the “Igbo coup” myth that has ignited conversations online and offline.
The “Igbo Coup” Narrative: A Historical Misrepresentation
The January 15, 1966 coup, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, has long been branded as an “Igbo coup” in Nigeria’s collective memory. This narrative painted the Igbo ethnic group as the masterminds behind a plot to seize power, fueling ethnic tensions that culminated in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). For decades, this framing has been used to justify discrimination and suspicion toward Igbos, including their marginalization in national politics.
In A Journey in Service, IBB challenges this oversimplification. According to sentiments shared on X, including from users like @onyedikanambra and @RealMrKay, IBB clarifies that the coup was not an Igbo-orchestrated agenda. He notes that while Nzeogwu, the coup’s figurehead, was Igbo by name, the plot was not a tribal conspiracy. Instead, it was a complex mix of military discontent and personal motivations, not a unified ethnic effort. This revelation, detailed across pages 38–40 of the book, dismantles the stereotype that has haunted Igbos for nearly six decades.
Social Media Reacts: A Call for Historical Reckoning
The disclosure has resonated deeply on X, where users are hailing it as a long-overdue correction. @TheSerahIbrahim’s post, which sparked significant engagement, reads: “So there was nothing like ‘Igbo Coup’ after all. IBB in his book stated the ‘Igbo Coup’ was a false narrative. The injustice Nigeria has done to the Igbos is more than enough.” Other users, like @KelechiUche10, echo this sentiment, praising IBB for documenting the truth and urging a reevaluation of how history has been weaponized against the Igbo people.
The trending conversation also reflects frustration. @OgbEthelNnamdi writes, “All this while they knew there was nothing like Igbo coup but kept pushing the false narrative because of hatred for a particular tribe (Igbophobia).” This points to a broader critique: that the “Igbo coup” label was a deliberate tool to stoke division and justify retribution, including the counter-coup and anti-Igbo pogroms that followed in 1966.
Rewriting History: Implications for the Igbo People
IBB’s admission carries profound implications. For the Igbo community, it’s a vindication of their long-held stance that the 1966 coup was mischaracterized. The false narrative has had tangible consequences, from political exclusion to economic marginalization. As @TheSerahIbrahim notes, “Up until today, they prevent an Igbo man from being a President based on lies.” This reflects a sentiment that the myth has perpetuated a glass ceiling for Igbos in Nigeria’s leadership.
By dismantling this narrative, A Journey in Service could pave the way for reconciliation. It challenges Nigerians to confront the ethnic biases embedded in their historical understanding and consider how such distortions have shaped national unity. However, some X users, like @RealMrKay, remain skeptical of IBB’s legacy, pointing to controversies like the Gulf War oil windfall as evidence of his flawed leadership. This duality—praise for his honesty, criticism of his past—underscores the complexity of his historical footprint.
A Broader Lesson: The Power of Autobiography
Beyond the “Igbo coup” revelation, IBB’s book serves as a broader call to action. As @OgbEthelNnamdi suggests, “My takeaway from IBB’s excerpts is to encourage all our leaders to write their stories before departing planet Earth.” Autobiographies like A Journey in Service offer rare insights into the minds of those who shaped history, providing a counterpoint to official narratives often skewed by politics or propaganda.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Truth and Unity
As A Journey in Service trends on X and beyond, it marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing quest to reconcile with its past. By debunking the “Igbo coup” myth, IBB has not only rewritten a chapter of history but also challenged Nigerians to rethink the stories they’ve inherited. For the Igbo people, it’s a step toward justice—an acknowledgment that they were not the coup planners history accused them of being. As conversations continue to unfold, this book may well be remembered as a catalyst for healing in a nation long divided by mistrust.
For those seeking to explore this topic further, A Journey in Service is a must-read, offering a firsthand perspective on Nigeria’s turbulent journey—and a reminder that truth, however delayed, can still reshape the future.
