NIGERIA

The study mission visited Lagos on December 7, 8, and 9, 1965, 38 days before the military coup on January 15, 1966.

Nigeria, ninth most populous country in the world and the most populous in Africa, was considered a center of stability on the continent. Perhaps the best prepared of all the new nations to assume the responsibilities of independence, Nigeria had become a symbol of democracy and sound economic planning in Africa.

The study mission met with the Prime Minister, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, at his official residence on December 8. The President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was ill in London at the time, sent his regrets that he could not be present.

The Prime Minister discussed at length the problems of Nigeria and of Africa. He talked freely of the internal political problems stemming from the recent elections. He had a deep understanding and appreciation of the tribal and religious rivalries in the federation. He emphasized, however, that he felt the current situation was greatly exaggerated by the press.

(The study mission inadvertently became involved in this crisis in Lagos while en route to the airport. A small mob of hooligans, while staging a riot and attacking all oncoming vehicles with stones and machetes, assailed an embassy car carrying some members of the mission. It was a frightening experience, but damage was not great and no physical injuries were suffered. The incident made it apparent that the situation was far more serious than perhaps the Prime Minister himself or members of the U.S. mission and local foreign sector realized.)

The Prime Minister, in discussing the Rhodesian crisis, stated that the matter was in an extremely confused state following the meeting of the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the previous week. He expressed the hope that a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministers might be held to give further consideration to the Rhodesian question. (Prime Minister Balewa was instrumental in arranging the meeting of the Commonwealth Ministers in Lagos on January 11 and 12, 1966, which granted Great Britain more time to end the rebellious regime in Rhodesia through economic sanctions.)

The Prime Minister discussed U.S. assistance to his country and expressed appreciation for it. He felt education and training were of primary importance for the development of his country because of great need for experts in all fields. He stated the Peace Corps had played an important role in this area. However, he looked forward to the day when Nigeria would no longer need external assistance as his people became trained and equipped to take over the direction of the nation's economic as well as political life.

The study mission was favorably impressed with Prime Minister Balewa, who was his country's first Prime Minister following independence as well as during the 2 years preceding full independence. A Moslem and son of a tribal chieftain, he attended college in northern Nigeria. He later studied at London University in England. In 1955, and again in 1961, the Prime Minister visited the United States, the latter a state visit at the personal invitation of President Kennedy.

Prime Minister Balewa devoted his life to the welfare of his people and all Africans. He had great respect for all nations and peoples and led African resistance against bigotry toward non-Africans.

The study mission regrets the death, by assassination, of Prime Minister Balewa. He was considered one of Africa's leading statesmen. His loss leaves a void in the ranks of leadership in Africa and the free world.

PEACE CORPS

There are 659 volunteers in Nigeria, 504 of whom are teachers. The study mission's meeting with the volunteers brought to light some constructive criticisms:

(1) There is a need for orientation in the local customs of a country during the basic training period before and after arrival in the host country. This is the time also for training in the language of the specific country to which the volunteer is being assigned. Many volunteers have received language training for one country and have been sent to a country where a different language is spoken.

(2) There have been problems resulting from difficulties in adjusting to the British educational system in use. Some Peace Corps volunteers felt the American system should be employed, if possible, in the Peace Corps programs.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE

U.S. economic aid to Nigeria in grant and loan funds has totaled $142,320,000 from 1954 to May 1965. The major areas of development grant assistance are those of education, agriculture, and industrial development with supporting activities in the field of public administration.

Studies are being made for the promotion of small- and medium-sized business enterprises. As in most of the developing countries, there is great need for the training of private entrepreneurs. The study mission recommends that greater emphasis be placed on the training of Nigerians in the techniques of business so that the responsibility of economic development may be shared by Government and private enterprise.

The discovery of new oilfields and the development of the oil industry and the growth of foreign investment in many fields indicate Nigeria has the potential to develop industrially. Despite the potential of the petroleum industry, however, there is no one on the U.S. teams specializing in this field.

The study mission observed that one of Nigeria's problems is costly financing in too many projects for which neither proper feasibility nor priorities studies have been made.

With the reestablishment of political stability in Nigeria, the objectives of economic development should be vigorously pursued.