Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has agreed to chair the 2026 Asaba Massacre Memorial Anniversary, a major remembrance event scheduled for October 4, 2026, in Asaba, Delta State.
The event, themed “Never Again,” is expected to focus on remembrance, national healing, reconciliation and the lessons Nigeria must learn from the 1967–1970 Civil War. Obasanjo has said he has cleared his schedule to personally attend and chair the commemoration.
Obasanjo: Nigeria must not repeat the past
Obasanjo made his commitment after receiving a collection of books, eyewitness testimonies, documentary films, archival materials and research relating to the October 1967 Asaba Massacre.
The former president warned that some of the conditions that contributed to the Nigerian Civil War remain unresolved.
He stressed that remembering painful chapters of Nigeria’s history should not be about assigning blame, but about ensuring that the country learns from the past and prevents similar tragedies from happening again.
According to Obasanjo, Nigeria has already experienced “one civil war too many” and must do everything possible to prevent another national conflict.
Asaba Massacre remains a painful chapter
The Asaba Massacre occurred in October 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War. The massacre has remained one of the most painful episodes in the history of the conflict, with memorial organisers seeking greater recognition, documentation and preservation of the experiences of victims and survivors.
The memorial initiative is being promoted as an opportunity to preserve historical records and encourage national dialogue around the consequences of violence and division.
Organisers have emphasised that the objective is not to reopen old wounds, but to promote historical truth, remembrance and national unity.
‘Never Again’ becomes the central message
The “Never Again” theme is expected to serve as the central message of the October 4 memorial.
Organisers say the commemoration will call on Nigerians to confront the country’s history honestly while working towards a future based on peace, justice and national cohesion.
The event is also expected to bring together traditional rulers, political leaders, historians, civil society representatives, community leaders and families connected to the tragedy.
Why Obasanjo’s role matters
Obasanjo’s decision to chair the memorial carries particular significance because of his own historical connection to the Nigerian Civil War.
His participation is expected to give the memorial greater national visibility and reinforce calls for Nigerians to preserve historical records while promoting reconciliation.
The former president has also stressed the importance of institutions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in preserving the past, documenting the present and helping future generations understand Nigeria’s history.
A call for national healing
The 2026 memorial comes at a time when questions about Nigeria’s history, national identity, reconciliation and unity continue to generate public discussion.
For organisers, the Asaba remembrance is intended to ensure that the experiences of victims are not forgotten and that future generations understand the consequences of political and ethnic conflict.
The message is straightforward: Nigeria must remember its past, learn from it and ensure that history does not repeat itself.
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