Babcock Journal History and International Studies Volume 6 (BUJOHIS Vol.6) presents a compelling collection of scholarly reflections, unpacking Africa’s historical trajectories and contemporary realities through critical historiographical, political, and socio-cultural lenses. This issue explores the Atlantic turn in African history, assessing how transatlantic connections have shaped African historiography and perspectives.
It delves into state creation and boundary politics among Igbo states, highlighting failed integration attempts between 1967 and 1996, while critically examining the enduring effects of boundary disputes on national cohesion. The volume also explores Goethe-Institut’s role as a soft power instrument in Nigeria-Germany relations, shedding light on the cultural diplomacy mechanisms that shape transnational interactions.
The journal further investigates the Nigeria-Biafra war, with a sharp focus on its lasting impact on Igbo marginalization, analyzing the power dynamics between victors and the vanquished. Additionally, it examines inter-group relations in Nigerian nation-building, tracing these interactions from pre-colonial times to the present.
Security challenges take center stage in discussions about Boko Haram’s onslaught, interrogating its external linkages and societal repercussions from 2009 to 2013. A related inquiry examines the challenges of propaganda in humanitarian operations during intra-state conflicts, using the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) as a case study.
Cultural transitions are explored through an investigation of Yoruba kingship selection and installation practices, specifically in Ipoti-Ekiti, revealing how traditional political institutions have evolved in modern times. The journal also tackles pressing governance concerns by assessing the resurgence of military coups in West Africa, engaging with the interplay of external interests, national misgovernance, and developmental challenges.
Finally, the issue revisits the colonial state’s authoritarian legacy, unpacking the enduring impacts of colonial governance structures on contemporary Nigeria.
This volume provides a thought-provoking and nuanced reflection on Africa’s historical transformations and current socio-political realities, offering scholars and policymakers valuable insights into enduring challenges and evolving narratives.
