Shagari's presidency maintained Nigeria's foreign policy since 1960, which was centered on Africa. Shagari himself was not new to foreign relations as he has led several Nigerian delegations to foreign missions since Independence. His presidency advocated and acted rigorously against apartheid in South African and white minority rule in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The liberation struggle was a task to be carried out by the Shagari Presidency. He has severally made his position known everywhere he was including during his State Visits to the United Kingdom and The United States where President Jimmy Carter had congratulated him on the independence of Zimbabwe. Correspondence between President Shagari and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher shows that he has put so much pressure on Britain concerning the independence of Zimbabwe to the extent of risking the relationship between both countries.