Mr. Daniel A. OROBATOR

This study examines the diplomatic, military, and strategic dimensions of the Soviet Union's intervention in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). When the Eastern Region declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, Nigeria was plunged into a brutal conflict that quickly attracted foreign intervention. While traditional Western allies like the United States maintained a policy of neutrality and the United Kingdom initially hesitated, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) stepped in to provide decisive military hardware to the Federal Military Government (FMG). This research investigates the underlying motivations, geopolitical calculations, and systemic impacts of Moscow's alignment with Lagos.Using a qualitative historical methodology, this study relies on archival documents, diplomatic correspondences, and historical narratives to untangle the intricacies of Soviet foreign policy during this period. The findings reveal that the USSR’s involvement was not driven by ideological affinity or a desire to spread communism to Nigeria, but rather by pragmatic geopolitics. By supplying critical military assets—including MiG-17 fighter jets, Ilyushin bombers, heavy artillery, and ammunition—the Soviet Union sought to secure a strategic foothold in West Africa, exploit fissures within the Western alliance, and counter growing Chinese influence in the region.The study concludes that Soviet military assistance was a primary turning point that ensured the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the ultimate defeat of Biafra. Furthermore, the conflict created a unique ideological paradox where the Marxist USSR and the capitalist United Kingdom fought on the same side, demonstrating that Cold War alignments were often subservient to regional national interests. The legacy of this involvement fundamentally reshaped Nigeria's post-war foreign policy toward non-alignment and elevated the USSR's status as a major player in African affairs.