Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969–1972

204. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rogers to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, March 10, 1971

Subject:

• Finding Under Section 3(a)(1) of the Foreign Military Sales Act

The enclosed formal memorandum requests you make a finding that the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to Nigeria will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace. Such a finding is required under Section 3(a)(1) of the Foreign Military Sales Act before any sales of defense articles and defense services can be made to Nigeria by the United States Government.

Prior to the Nigerian civil war, Nigeria had been found eligible to purchase defense articles and defense services from the United States Government. During the civil war, a decision was made not to provide arms to either side in the Nigerian conflict. Consequently, Nigeria was not included on subsequent eligibility lists. During the thirteen months since the conclusion of the civil war, top Nigerian officials have shown renewed and persistent interest in sending military personnel to schools in the United States operated by the Department of Defense. We intend to limit our grant training program in FY 71 to courses related to civic action. However, the Nigerians have indicated their readiness to purchase other types of military training. The present determination is necessary to make Nigeria eligible to purchase such training under the Foreign Military Sales Act.

Our Embassy in Lagos and the Departments of State and Defense strongly endorse this request believing that the training in question would do much to increase the professionalism of Africaʼs largest army. It would help in the long run in promoting stability in Nigeria, with a concomitant impact in West Africa and perhaps in Africa as a whole. The training would work toward promoting the continued pro-Western influence in this large and very important nation, one which may well assume a leading position in the non-aligned world. In view of the importance of Nigeria to Africa and the non-aligned world and the extent of U.S. interests there, we believe the purchase of military training by Nigeria will strengthen the security of the U.S. and promote world peace. While some adverse Congressional reaction is anticipated, the finding recommended in this memorandum is not expected to cause widespread discussion.

I recommend that you sign the attached finding, required by the Foreign Military Sales Act, to allow the sale of defense articles and defense services to Nigeria. The Department of Defense concurs in this recommendation. I also recommend that your finding be reported to the Senate and the House of Representatives.

William P. Rogers

Enclosure 2

Presidential Determination No. 71-11

Washington, April 7, 1971

SUBJECT:

• Finding Under Section 3(a)(1) of the Foreign Military Sales Act

In accordance with your recommendation, I hereby find pursuant to Section 3(a) (1) of the Foreign Military Sales Act that the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to Nigeria will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace.

You are requested on my behalf to report this finding to the Senate and House of Representatives.

Richard Nixon

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 Nigeria. Confidential. Enclosure 1 to Rogersʼ memorandum is not published.
2. The President, upon the recommendation of Rogers, approved the furnishing defense articles and defense services to Nigeria. Nigeriaʼs eligibility had been suspended during the civil war, but top Nigerian officials were now interested in sending military personnel to Department of Defense schools in the United States.