Nigeria broke diplomatic relations with France in 1961 because of_________

Analyze the question: It asks why Nigeria cut diplomatic ties with France in 1961, which is a topic in Nigeria's foreign policy under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Concept: In the early 1960s, Nigeria's foreign policy was strongly Africanist. It opposed colonialism, racism, and any action by a foreign power that threatened Africa's security or dignity.

Step-by-step reasoning:

1. In 1960-61, France carried out atomic (nuclear) bomb tests in the Sahara Desert in Algeria, first at Reggane.
2. African leaders protested strongly because of the radioactive fallout risk to West Africa and because the tests were conducted on African soil without consent.
3. Nigeria, only newly independent in October 1960, protested and in January 1961 broke diplomatic relations with France. It also closed the French embassy in Lagos.
4. Checking the other options: • A: Nigeria's poor relations with Francophone countries was not the reason. The rift with France came from the tests. • C: Nigeria's problem was never France's relations with Israel. • D: Personal attitudes of de Gaulle were not the cause.

Answer: The cause was France's atomic test in the Sahara Desert, which is option B.

Exam tip: Link "1961 + France" with "Sahara + atomic test". Also remember that Nigeria's other early foreign-policy stances, such as opposing apartheid and supporting African unity, share the same Africa-centred theme. Nigeria restored relations with France later, in 1965.