At the formation of the OAU, Nigeria belonged to the

Analyze the question: The OAU (Organisation of African Unity) was formed in May 1963 in Addis Ababa. Before that, African states were split into rival blocs over how fast and in what way African unity should be achieved. The question asks which bloc Nigeria belonged to at that time.

Explain the concept: There were three main groupings in the early 1960s:

• Casablanca Group: Radical and pro-immediate political union. Members included Ghana (Nkrumah), Guinea, Mali, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.
• Brazzaville Group: Mostly French-speaking, moderate states that kept close ties with France (e.g. Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon).
• Monrovia Group: Moderate states that favoured gradual cooperation, economic and cultural, while respecting each country's sovereignty. Nigeria, under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was a leading member, along with Liberia, Ethiopia, and Togo.

The Lagos Group (Lagos Conference of 1962) was a follow-up meeting of the Monrovia states, so it was not a separate bloc. Its members were basically the same as the Monrovia Group, and Nigeria hosted it. In many textbooks, the bloc is simply named the "Monrovia Group" (or "Monrovia-Lagos Group").

Solution:

1. Nigeria favoured gradual unity and non-interference in members' affairs.
2. That position matches the Monrovia Group, not the radical Casablanca Group.
3. Nigeria was not francophone, so it was not in the Brazzaville Group.
4. "Lagos Group" is not a distinct bloc from the Monrovia Group, so the standard answer is the Monrovia Group.

Answer: Option A, the Monrovia Group.

Tip: Remember it this way: Casablanca = Close, quick union (radical). Monrovia = Moderate (Nigeria's side). Brazzaville = Bound to France.