The context that contributed the most to the outbreak of civil war in Nigeria in 1967 was the legacy of colonialism. Nigeria was a British colony until it gained independence in 1960, and the colonial legacy left deep divisions and tensions within the country. This included issues such as ethnic and religious divisions, economic disparities, and political instability. These factors eventually led to the secession of the southeastern region as the breakaway state of Biafra in 1967, triggering the Nigerian Civil War. While influences from World War II and the Cold War also played a role in shaping Nigeria's independence history, the legacy of colonialism had the most significant impact on the outbreak of civil war.
