Before the emergence of OAU as a regional body, Nigeria belonged to

Analyze the question: Before the OAU was formed in 1963, African states were divided into rival blocs. The question asks which bloc Nigeria belonged to.

Explain the concept: The blocs were:

• Casablanca Group (1961): Radical, pro-quick continental unity (a political union). Members: Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Egypt, Libya, Algeria (provisional government).
• Brazzaville Group (1960-61): Mostly French-speaking states that favoured close ties with France. Members included Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Madagascar.
• Monrovia Group (1961): Moderate, favoured gradual unity through economic and functional cooperation and respect for each state's sovereignty. Members: Nigeria, Liberia, Ethiopia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tunisia, Libya, and the Brazzaville states.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Nigeria, under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, was cautious and favoured gradual African integration, not an immediate political union.
2. Nigeria therefore rejected the Casablanca group's radical approach.
3. Nigeria was not a French-speaking, France-aligned state, so it was not in the Brazzaville group.
4. Nigeria hosted the Lagos conference of 1962 as part of the Monrovia group's efforts, and this group's moderate ideas shaped the OAU Charter in 1963.

Answer: Nigeria belonged to the Monrovia group, which is option B.

Tip: Remember "Monrovia = Moderate" and "Nigeria = Not in a hurry." Casablanca = radical (Nkrumah's Ghana), Brazzaville = French-speaking.