The Nigerian Civil War was fought during the military regime of

Analyze the question: You're asked which military head of state was in power while the Nigerian Civil War (the Biafran War) was fought.

Key facts:

• The war lasted from 6 July 1967 to 15 January 1970.
• It followed the secession of the Eastern Region as the Republic of Biafra, declared by Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu on 30 May 1967.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Aguiyi Ironsi ruled from January to July 1966. He was killed in the July 1966 counter-coup, which was before the war began. ❌
2. Yakubu Gowon became Head of State in August 1966 and governed until July 1975. The entire war (1967-1970) took place under him. He led the federal side with the slogan "To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done." ✅
3. Murtala Muhammed ruled from July 1975 to February 1976, long after the war ended. ❌
4. Olusegun Obasanjo was military Head of State from 1976 to 1979. He also came after the war. ❌

Answer: B. Yakubu Gowon

Exam tip: Remember the order of the early military heads of state with the sequence I-G-M-O: Ironsi (1966), Gowon (1966-75), Murtala (1975-76), Obasanjo (1976-79). The war sits in the "G" slot, so Gowon. Also remember the war ended with the surrender of Biafra in January 1970 and Gowon's "No victor, no vanquished" policy of reconciliation, which is a frequent follow-up question.