Grammy-Winning Director Meji Alabi Delves Into Family History for BBC’s “Surviving Biafra” Documentary

Meji Alabi, the visionary director behind iconic music videos for Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Davido, is stepping into deeply personal territory with his latest project. The Grammy Award-winning filmmaker is set to explore his own family’s history in “Surviving Biafra,” a groundbreaking BBC World Service documentary examining the Nigerian Civil War through the eyes of those who lived it.

The 75-minute film, produced by BBC Africa Eye, brings together firsthand accounts from soldiers and civilians on both sides of the devastating conflict that claimed between 600,000 and three million lives. At its heart is an intimate conversation between Alabi and his grandfather, a former army Commando whose life was irrevocably changed by the war. “Like so many Nigerians, my grandfather’s life was forever shaped by the Biafran War,” Alabi explained. “With each passing year, fewer survivors remain — but the memories of what they witnessed have never left them. It is now the responsibility of younger generations to preserve these stories before they disappear forever.”

For Alabi—best known in the music world for directing Tiwa Savage’s feature film “Water & Garri” and crafting visual masterpieces for Afrobeats royalty—this documentary represents an urgent mission. With most war survivors now in their 70s and 80s, the project becomes a race against time to document history before it fades. The film incorporates previously unseen frontline archives and presents multiple perspectives as Nigeria approaches the sixtieth anniversary of the conflict’s start. Liz Gibbons, Director of BBC Global Journalism, emphasized the importance of sharing these personal stories and the war’s devastating impact with international audiences.

“Surviving Biafra” premieres Monday, June 1st on BBC iPlayer and YouTube, offering viewers an unflinching look at one of Africa’s most traumatic historical chapters.

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