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Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria’s Military Coup Culture
This is a ground breaking book by historian Max Siollun about the relationship between oil and military rule in Nigeria.
Modern Nigeria cannot be understood without reference to its era of military rule. Military rule and oil wealth effected cataclysmic changes in Nigeria that nearly tore the country apart on several occasions. 40 years after the end of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Max Siollun answers the key questions that go to the root of the Nigerian
*Who were the key personalities and events that caused the Nigeria/Biafra civil war?
*What is the root of the Niger Delta oil conflict and the "curse of oil"?
*How has Nigeria managed to endure successive military coups, civil war, ethnic violence and still remain united?
*The role of Babangida, Ojukwu, Abacha, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and Buhari in previous military coup plots and Nigerian governments.
The book's style is that of a fast paced dramatised narrative that will bring the characters and the story to life in a manner that will engage the casual, journalistic or academic reader. Those who have read the book have described it as the most detailed published analysis of the major events and controversies of Nigeria from independence until the 1976 assassination of its then Head of State General Murtala Muhammed. These include the traumatic January and July coups of 1966, the unprecedented magnanimity of the federal leader General Gowon after Nigeria's civil war, the post war stewardship of Gowon, and an hour by hour reconstruction of the events leading up to the 1976 Dimka coup in which Gowon's successor General Murtala Muhammed was killed.
The book is the definitive reference point for Nigeria's political life between 1960 and 1976. It examines the controversies of that era with the encyclopaedic detail and penetrating analysis that is Max Siollun's trademark. No previous text has exhaustively analysed these events or this period in Nigeria's history. What lessons can be learned from the events and mistakes of this period? How can Nigeria avoid repeating those mistakes? Max Siollun answers these questions and many more.
Modern Nigeria cannot be understood without reference to its era of military rule. Military rule and oil wealth effected cataclysmic changes in Nigeria that nearly tore the country apart on several occasions. 40 years after the end of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, Max Siollun answers the key questions that go to the root of the Nigerian
*Who were the key personalities and events that caused the Nigeria/Biafra civil war?
*What is the root of the Niger Delta oil conflict and the "curse of oil"?
*How has Nigeria managed to endure successive military coups, civil war, ethnic violence and still remain united?
*The role of Babangida, Ojukwu, Abacha, Obasanjo, Yar'Adua and Buhari in previous military coup plots and Nigerian governments.
The book's style is that of a fast paced dramatised narrative that will bring the characters and the story to life in a manner that will engage the casual, journalistic or academic reader. Those who have read the book have described it as the most detailed published analysis of the major events and controversies of Nigeria from independence until the 1976 assassination of its then Head of State General Murtala Muhammed. These include the traumatic January and July coups of 1966, the unprecedented magnanimity of the federal leader General Gowon after Nigeria's civil war, the post war stewardship of Gowon, and an hour by hour reconstruction of the events leading up to the 1976 Dimka coup in which Gowon's successor General Murtala Muhammed was killed.
The book is the definitive reference point for Nigeria's political life between 1960 and 1976. It examines the controversies of that era with the encyclopaedic detail and penetrating analysis that is Max Siollun's trademark. No previous text has exhaustively analysed these events or this period in Nigeria's history. What lessons can be learned from the events and mistakes of this period? How can Nigeria avoid repeating those mistakes? Max Siollun answers these questions and many more.
284 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 10, 2017
This is a book you definitely want to lay your fingers on if you are anyone (Nigerian preferably) who loves to read about history. Violent political militarized history.
In fairness, the story was set out to be naturally interesting. It focused mainly on the coups and counter-coups, betrayals, violence and bloodbath that plagued the early years after Nigeria's independence. However, it would be impossible as well as unfair to dismiss the excellent manner in which Max rendered the events year after year, event after event. The beautiful links, the semi-graphic narrative and the much needed metaphors combined in appropriate amounts made the storytelling a worthwhile experience which made me paradoxically speed through the book while not wanting it to end at the same time.
For far too long, leaders and policy makers have lacked the courage to tell the story of what went down in those bloody years. And those who chronicled their experiences through books must have saturated them with ethnic and tribal sentiments. This book, in my opinion, is free of bias and the fact that the author (a Nigerian) managed to steer clear of undue sentiments makes it even more remarkable.
I highly recommend that every Nigerian read this book to not just enable us learn from our history but to also get a first hand experience on how to fit a masterpiece in less than 300 pages.
In fairness, the story was set out to be naturally interesting. It focused mainly on the coups and counter-coups, betrayals, violence and bloodbath that plagued the early years after Nigeria's independence. However, it would be impossible as well as unfair to dismiss the excellent manner in which Max rendered the events year after year, event after event. The beautiful links, the semi-graphic narrative and the much needed metaphors combined in appropriate amounts made the storytelling a worthwhile experience which made me paradoxically speed through the book while not wanting it to end at the same time.
For far too long, leaders and policy makers have lacked the courage to tell the story of what went down in those bloody years. And those who chronicled their experiences through books must have saturated them with ethnic and tribal sentiments. This book, in my opinion, is free of bias and the fact that the author (a Nigerian) managed to steer clear of undue sentiments makes it even more remarkable.
I highly recommend that every Nigerian read this book to not just enable us learn from our history but to also get a first hand experience on how to fit a masterpiece in less than 300 pages.
June 26, 2017
Indispensable.
Two quibbles.
The first is that (I think) the author sticks to his brief a bit too closely. So, for example, his exploration of the Civil War is limited to the actions and performances of his principals, the coup instigators. One understands and appreciates this. But a lot of secondary material (such as the Federal Government blockade) would give more context to the decisions taken by Muritala, etc. Similarly, even a brief précis of the main events of the war (Asaba, Port Harcourt) would enrich the overarching narrative (conversely: Ifeajuna's role in the Biafra coup is only alluded to in passing. This episode, oddly enough could give more (circumstantial) heft to the author's contention that the Jan 66 coup was mainly led by Igbos but was mainly not *for* the Igbo nation per se.
The second is that I think a good editor would have pushed the author a bit further in justifying his (in almost every case, quite reasonable) presumptions, and to fill a few narrative gaps more assertively.
But these are small matters. There are any number of books that have been written about Nigeria's coup culture and the 66-75 era. Most are (ghost) written by protagonists with axes to grind. This book is clear eyed, largely backs up presumptions with qualitative evidence, and clearly distinguishes between fact and speculation. It is engaged, extremely well-referenced and tests competing versions of various stories exhaustively.
Essential background reading for anyone interested in contemporary Nigeria.
Two quibbles.
The first is that (I think) the author sticks to his brief a bit too closely. So, for example, his exploration of the Civil War is limited to the actions and performances of his principals, the coup instigators. One understands and appreciates this. But a lot of secondary material (such as the Federal Government blockade) would give more context to the decisions taken by Muritala, etc. Similarly, even a brief précis of the main events of the war (Asaba, Port Harcourt) would enrich the overarching narrative (conversely: Ifeajuna's role in the Biafra coup is only alluded to in passing. This episode, oddly enough could give more (circumstantial) heft to the author's contention that the Jan 66 coup was mainly led by Igbos but was mainly not *for* the Igbo nation per se.
The second is that I think a good editor would have pushed the author a bit further in justifying his (in almost every case, quite reasonable) presumptions, and to fill a few narrative gaps more assertively.
But these are small matters. There are any number of books that have been written about Nigeria's coup culture and the 66-75 era. Most are (ghost) written by protagonists with axes to grind. This book is clear eyed, largely backs up presumptions with qualitative evidence, and clearly distinguishes between fact and speculation. It is engaged, extremely well-referenced and tests competing versions of various stories exhaustively.
Essential background reading for anyone interested in contemporary Nigeria.
February 1, 2021
Nigeria as a country has smothered accounts and suppressed tales of its murderous and corruption rife history. History has even been erased from the school curriculum for over 2 decades. Max Siollun's wonderful trilogy that charts the sorry and saddening trajectory of the Nigerian state is as objectively accurate as it is readable.
History has never repeated itself as it does in the theater of shame that is the Nigerian state. Until the rulers of the day acknowledge and attempt to learn from Her past mistakes, the shaky entity called Nigeria is doomed to perpetually remain on the the carousel of tribal division, state sponsored terrorism and marginalization of minorities.
History has never repeated itself as it does in the theater of shame that is the Nigerian state. Until the rulers of the day acknowledge and attempt to learn from Her past mistakes, the shaky entity called Nigeria is doomed to perpetually remain on the the carousel of tribal division, state sponsored terrorism and marginalization of minorities.
March 2, 2019
Really good narration of the national landscape in the times leading to the first coup in 1966, and the other coups in the following decade. Most of these stories have never been told, nor told so coherently.
Highly recommended read.
Highly recommended read.
May 18, 2018
Fascinating book for anyone interested in Africa's most populated country and the continent's biggest economy. To me, it was interesting reading about all the plotters and how they are still around today . . . including the current president! This book is very dense with facts, names, places and the like. Very well written and researched. Kudos to the author!
October 22, 2017
Very detailed and insightful rendering of the story of Nigeria, coinciding with the period of global expectancy of the "rise of the giant of Africa".......unfortunately gripped by power play amongst a handdul of individuals (whom by the way will remain predominant prominent features of the Nigerian political landscape.(....."militricians"....as they eventually became to be named"...... ) Nonetheless, a great read featuring history as detailed as it can be of a series of missteps in negatively impacting nation building. Kudos to Max Siollun!!!!
April 18, 2019
When you look at Nigeria today,and how it dominates Africa in the music and movie industry,sports(Football) and not forgetting the clergymen that are spread across the continent and beyond,you would hardly think of the dark side of its politics and the role the military played.
In this book the author provides vivid evidence and color of Nigeria after independence and then the military coups that followed.
Interesting read!!
August 15, 2020
A Magnum Opus, Max Siollun's Oil, Politics and Violence reads like a secret history of Nigeria.
It shows to the discerning reader that much has been hidden from the public consciousness of Nigerians by the coup plotting class of 66 who have perpetuated themselves in power and who continue to direct the affairs of the country from the background and the foreground, and much will continue to remain hidden if we do not seek them out for ourselves.
It shows to the discerning reader that much has been hidden from the public consciousness of Nigerians by the coup plotting class of 66 who have perpetuated themselves in power and who continue to direct the affairs of the country from the background and the foreground, and much will continue to remain hidden if we do not seek them out for ourselves.
August 10, 2017
Relevant for anyone interested in gaining perspective on the development of ethno politics and military intervention in Nigerian history.
Probably wouldn't sit well with the propaganda spread by the 'powers that be' over the past 50 years.
One thing that needs to be expanded on; the original findings of IG Kam Selem-led police report on the coup. Perhaps that would set the record straight.
Probably wouldn't sit well with the propaganda spread by the 'powers that be' over the past 50 years.
One thing that needs to be expanded on; the original findings of IG Kam Selem-led police report on the coup. Perhaps that would set the record straight.
June 5, 2020
Nigerian coup culture is a very hazy fog in Nigerian history. It’s barely and rarely taught and often based on conjecture and rumours. But Siollun produces one of the few books that puts the reader in the thick of the action of the early coups that defined Nigeria. He also does a good job of using hindsight to evaluate the progress made and the opportunities squandered.
October 6, 2022
Nigeria's history is one written in the blood of its leaders and citizens, for much of its nascent history has been a never-ending story of violence and bloodshed. This book does a spectacular job in giving a comprehensive and detailed accounting of the horrors that took place since the country came into independence in 1960.
December 25, 2017
Eye opening revelations about Nigeria's coup history. It clarified a couple of myths and apocryphal stories around the Jan 66 coup, the July 66 countercoup/mutiny as well as the stories of the people involved. Good historical read.
December 25, 2020
This is a very interesting and insightful book that lays bare the underlying details of Nigeria's thorny misadventures involving the military. It's by far the most insightful book I've read on the subject of Nigeria's political history.
April 28, 2022
This is amazing. I read it over a few days in December 21/January 22. I learned so much about Nigerian history that I didn't know about before. It should be required reading on Nigeria, IMO. Solid work. I plan to make my way through the rest of the Siollunian oeuvre this year.
January 22, 2019
This book should be read by every Nigerian who seeks to understand Nigeria's misfortune with leadership. intense book.
January 2, 2020
A really good book if you're looking to understand the events that led to the first Nigerian coup in 1966 and how that triggered a series of subsequent coups until 1976.
June 3, 2020
This book is one of the most illuminating books about the military eras of Nigeria
August 6, 2020
One of the most intimate accounts of Nigeria's coup culture. The details are bizarrely real. A multitude of lessons to be learnt.
September 4, 2021
Anther must-read on Nigerian Academic history. An academic masterpiece.
January 18, 2022
Great book. Didn't go much into great details about the civil war. Fantastic book regardless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2022
Detailed but a little biased! Overall a great book to give one a clue of bloody military coups that bedevilled a yound independent Nigeria.
September 16, 2023
Best book so far
March 10, 2024
WHEN IT COMES TO NIGERIA'S HISTORY ESPECIALLY THE Military REGIMES, GIVE IT UP TO MAX.
TAKE IT TO THE BANK
TAKE IT TO THE BANK
November 20, 2024
This book will help you sympathize with the Igbos. They really suffered. Again another neutral perspective to Nigeria’s history
January 10, 2026
Chilling read on the first phase of the military era in Nigeria. Engaging and informative. Must recommend!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews