The World Was in Our Hands

The World Was in Our Hands: Voices from the Boko Haram Conflict is a deeply moving collection of first-hand narratives from a diverse range of people, living through the harrowing and ongoing Boko Haram conflict. Featuring interviews with 47 people of all genders, ages and a variety of religious backgrounds, this is an essential cultural archive that foregrounds the realities of those living through conflict.

From the poignant stories of abducted girls to the unflinching narratives of brash soldiers, and from the resilience of community leaders to the daily struggles of modest fishermen, this collection provides a profound insight into the realities faced by those caught in the turmoil. These narratives touch on themes of patriarchy, the economy, climate change, and corruption, presenting a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the conflict.

More than just a book, The World Was in Our Hands is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a call to reflect on the global issues that shape our collective experience.

“A most sensitively woven records of heart-wrenching recollection of horrors by those who survived conflict.”—Fakhrriyyah Hashim, social development expert, feminist and anti-GBV