Gowon Releases Autobiography to Clarify Civil War History

Yakubu Gowon, the former Nigerian Head of State, has released an autobiography intended to clarify historical narratives surrounding the Nigerian Civil War rather than to reopen old wounds. The 881-page book is scheduled for public presentation on May 19, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with Tinubu serving as the special guest of honor.

The unveiling will also feature Theophilus Danjuma, a former Minister of Defence and ex-Chief of Army Staff. Gowon stated that the memoir became necessary to provide his perspective on the civil war era, which has often been narrated from different viewpoints over the years.

He emphasized his conscious decision not to revive painful memories but to clarify policies and plans during his leadership from August 1, 1966, to July 1975. Gowon, who became one of Nigeria's youngest leaders, led the country through the civil war from 1967 to 1970 and later introduced the "no victor, no vanquished" policy aimed at promoting national reconciliation.

The autobiography is published by Havilah Group.