The 1974 Kisinger Report Impact On Nigeria

The 1974 Kissinger Report, officially titled National Security Study Memorandum 200 (NSSM 200), was a U.S. government document that examined the implications of global population growth for American security and overseas interests.

It was directed by Henry Kissinger and completed on December 10, 1974, later adopted as official policy in 1975.

The Kissinger Report On Nigeria

Nigeria was one of the 13 “key countries” identified in the report where population growth was considered especially significant to U.S. strategic interests. Here’s what the report emphasized regarding Nigeria:

Strategic Political Influence
Rapid population growth in Nigeria was seen as a potential source of political instability, which could affect U.S. access to the Nigerian state natural resources, especially oil.
The report suggested that population pressures could exacerbate internal tensions, leading to unrest or anti-Western sentiment.

Population Control Recommendations
For many decades, the US has reportedly always viewed the continous increase in the Nigerian population as an economic threat to the U.S
The U.S. came about a system labelled to support family planning programs in Nigeria and other developing countries with the aim to slow population growth.
It emphasized that such efforts should be framed carefully to avoid appearing as economic or racial imperialism.

Resource Access and control
Nigeria’s oil reserves and other minerals were viewed as critical to U.S. interests. The report warned that instability could threaten these supplies.
-Population growth was indirectly linked to concerns about resource scarcity, which could disrupt global markets and U.S. economic interests.