British Leadership Questioned
During the transfer of power, the British built up the Nigerian armed forces, and both London and Lagos expected Britain to remain Nigeria’s main provider of military assistance after independence. But Britain’s military assistance role in Nigeria came to be questioned in the wake of the row over the defence agreement. Fearful of accusations from the opposition and African neighbours of neocolonial collusion with the former imperial power, Lagos began to search for alternative sources of military assistance. But their Western orientation and underpinning anti-communist sentiments prevented the Nigerians from turning to the Soviet bloc. Instead, they approached Commonwealth and/or non-aligned powers, as well as medium, lesser, and/or neutral European countries. Eventually, the FRG became responsible for the build-up of Nigeria’s air force. Although this was a major setback for the British, they consoled themselves that the Nigerian air force was at least in safe, Western hands.