Wartime Anglo-Nigerian Relations: A Historical Analysis of Yakubu Gowon and Harold Wilson Diplomatic Correspondence during the Nigerian Civil War, 1967–1970.
Publication Date : 30-01-2025
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This paper examines the diplomatic correspondence between British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Nigerian Head of State Major-General Yakubu Gowon during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). Using a historical narrative approach, it analyses primary sources from the British National Archives and secondary sources from Nigerian university libraries. The study highlights how diplomatic communication served as a key tool in efforts toward peace settlements, military support, and humanitarian aid. The correspondence centered on preserving Nigeria’s unity in the face of civil strife, reflecting a shared interest in maintaining the status quo and avoiding missed opportunities for peace. It argues that while Wilson responded cautiously to Gowon's messages, mindful of domestic and international criticism, the underlying motivation was Britain’s desire to safeguard its political and economic interests in a united Nigeria and to maintain influence over the Federal Military Government amid the war’s geopolitical complexities. Keywords: Wartime, Anglo-Nigerian, Relations, Yakubu Gowon, Harold Wilson Diplomatic, Correspondence, Nigerian Civil War
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