Biafra

American  

[bee-ah-fruh] / biˈɑ frə /

noun

1. a former secessionist state (1967–70) in SE Nigeria, in W Africa. Enugu.

2. Bight of, a wide bay in the E part of the Gulf of Guinea, off the W coast of Africa.

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Biafra British  

/ bɪˈæfrə /

noun

1. a region of E Nigeria, formerly a local government region: seceded as an independent republic (1967–70) during the Civil War, but defeated by Nigerian government forces

2. former name (until 1975) of (the Bight of) Bonny

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Other Word Forms

• Biafran adjective

Example Sentences

In 2009 Kanu launched Radio Biafra that broadcast separatist messages to Nigeria from London.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

Once a relatively obscure figure, he came to national prominence in 2009 when he started Radio Biafra, a station that called for an independent state for the Igbo people, broadcast to Nigeria from London.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

Biafra was the name of a short-lived breakaway state that declared independence in 1967, sparking a brutal civil war that lasted until 1970.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

“It’s hard,” Biafra said, “because there is a little bit of a pall over this whole event, because Mojo isn’t here, and everybody’s got their memories bubbling up. I have plenty of that.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

She often imagined him standing in the middle of a gathering of rapt villagers, talking in that sonorous voice about the great nation that Biafra would be.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie