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Question

Difficulty: EasyFormulation and Evolution of Nigeria's Foreign Policy Across Regimes

Which bilateral military agreement, signed shortly after independence in 1960, was abrogated in 1962 by Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa following intense public and student protests?

  1. The Anglo-Nigerian Defence PactAnswer
  2. B
    The Organisation of African Unity Charter
  3. C
    The ECOWAS Treaty
  4. D
    The Non-Aligned Movement Declaration

Answer

The Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact
Upon gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria signed the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact with Britain. However, nationalist opposition and intense student protests criticized the pact for compromising non-alignment and sovereignty, leading the Balewa government to formally abrogate the treaty in January 1962.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the defense agreement entered into at independence by the Balewa government.
In 1960, Nigeria signed the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact with Great Britain.
The pact allowed mutual defense assistance and overflight/testing rights for British forces.
2
Examine the political domestic reaction and resulting foreign policy change in 1962.
Popular protest from university students, opposition politicians, and civil society forced the government to abrogate (cancel) the pact in January 1962.
Critics argued the agreement compromised Nigeria's sovereignty and violated its declared policy of non-alignment.

Key Concept

Abrogation of the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact in First Republic Foreign Policy
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Topics

Formulation and Evolution of Nigeria's Foreign Policy Across Regimes