The defence pact between Nigeria and Britain was cancelled in the year

Analyze the question: The question asks when the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact was cancelled. This is a topic from Nigeria's foreign policy history.

Explain the concept: At independence in 1960, Nigeria signed a defence agreement with Britain. Under it, Britain would help defend Nigeria, and in return British forces could use Nigerian airspace and military facilities (such as overflight and landing rights for the Royal Air Force).

Nigerians strongly opposed it. Students and opposition groups protested, arguing that it compromised Nigeria's sovereignty and independence, and that it tied Nigeria to Western (Cold War) interests. The government of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa bowed to the pressure and abrogated the pact in January 1962.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The pact was signed in 1960, at independence (so 1960 is when it was made, not cancelled).
2. Public protests, led largely by students and opposition parties such as the Action Group, followed in late 1961.
3. The government cancelled it in early 1962.
4. 1965 and 1967 are not linked to the pact. Around 1965 Nigeria was dealing with election crises and the Western Region troubles, and 1967 saw the start of the civil war.

Answer: The pact was cancelled in 1962, which is option C.

Exam tip: Remember the sequence: 1960 signed → 1962 cancelled. Link it to "public protest and sovereignty." In JAMB, if a question asks when something was cancelled, do not choose the year it was signed.