Explain the various ways in which Nigeria gives support to liberation movements in Africa.

Answer Details

Support for African liberation movements has been a cornerstone of Nigeria's foreign policy since independence, flowing from the Afrocentric principle that Africa is the centrepiece of Nigeria's external relations. Nigeria gave this support in the following ways.

1. Financial and material assistance: Nigeria donated large sums of money and materials to liberation movements such as the ANC and PAC of South Africa, SWAPO of Namibia, FRELIMO of Mozambique, MPLA of Angola and ZANU/ZAPU of Zimbabwe, often channelled through the OAU Liberation Committee.
2. Establishment of relief and solidarity funds: Nigeria created special funds, including the Southern Africa Relief Fund and the National Committee Against Apartheid, and the government encouraged citizens and workers to contribute part of their salaries to the anti-apartheid struggle.
3. Diplomatic and moral support: Nigeria consistently used its voice at the United Nations, the OAU, the Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement to condemn colonialism and apartheid and to press for the isolation of racist regimes.
4. Imposition of economic sanctions: Nigeria applied economic pressure, boycotted South African goods, and in 1979 nationalised the assets of British Petroleum in Nigeria to compel Britain to change its policy toward Rhodesia and South Africa.
5. Provision of training and scholarships: Nigeria trained freedom fighters and offered educational scholarships and asylum to nationalists and refugees from colonial and apartheid territories.
6. Recognition of liberation movements: Nigeria recognised liberation movements as legitimate representatives of their peoples and helped secure their recognition by international bodies.
7. Support for a frontline role and use of the sports boycott: Nigeria backed the frontline states and led boycotts of international sporting and cultural events (for example the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1978 Commonwealth Games) that involved apartheid South Africa.
8. Hosting of conferences and mobilisation of world opinion: Nigeria hosted anti-apartheid conferences and mobilised African and international opinion against colonialism and racial discrimination.

Through these efforts Nigeria earned a reputation as a frontline advocate of African liberation despite being geographically distant from Southern Africa.