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The Challenge of Western Neutralism: Britain and the Buildup of a Nigerian Air Force

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>1/07/2018
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Cold War Studies
Issue number2
Volume20
Number of pages30
Pages (from-to)99-128
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date19/06/18
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

In the wake of decolonization, Britain wanted to maintain its strategic interests in Nigeria and to keep the newly independent African country in the Western orbit. Having abrogated a defense agreement in reaction to Nigerian domestic opposition, the British government counted on military assistance to secure its postcolonial security role. The British thus hoped to gain responsibility for the buildup of a Nigerian air force, which the authorities in Lagos wished to establish for national prestige and protection against potential enemies such as Ghana. The Nigerians, however, first tried to secure the requisite assistance from Commonwealth countries other than Britain before opting for a West German air force mission. The Nigerian government aimed to reduce its dependence on Britain and thereby burnish its neutralist credentials. Yet London was challenged by a Western version of neutralism, similar to Western neutrality, because the Nigerians never attempted to approach the Soviet bloc about military assistance.

Bibliographic note

This is a preprint, or manuscript version and that the article has been accepted for publication in Journal of Cold War Studies