In a recent interview, the former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo described how the country gave Angola $20 million in 1975 under Murtala Muhammed’s regime—plus flights via Nigerian Airways—and extended massive support to South Africa’s liberation, totaling $61 billion from 1960 to 1995 on campaigns like funding exiles and global isolation efforts.

“During Murtala’s regime, we gave Angola $20 Million which was N12 Million. Nigerian Airways helped them have access to the outside world. We did the same with South Africa.”- the Former President stated.

He highlighted Nigeria’s role in dispatching professionals as first Black chief justices in Botswana Akinola Aguda and Gambia Emmanuel Ayoola,, bolstering Mozambique’s health system, and leading costly ECOMOG peacekeeping in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The reflections spark mixed feelings today amid economic struggles, with praise for past pride alongside regrets over neglected home development and questions on whether it was selfless solidarity or smart strategy.