One of the internal factors that led to the rise and growth of nationalism in Nigeria was

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for an internal factor, meaning something that happened inside Nigeria or arose from conditions within the country, that helped nationalism rise and grow.

Step 2: Explain the concept Factors behind Nigerian nationalism fall into two groups:

• Internal factors (within Nigeria): colonial exploitation, racial discrimination, forced labour, the growth of Western education, the press, the formation of political parties and associations, urbanization, and the return of ex-servicemen after World War II.
• External factors (outside Nigeria): the Pan-African Congresses, the independence of India (1947) and Ghana (1957), the Atlantic Charter, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, the role of the United Nations, and the British Labour Party's more sympathetic attitude to colonial independence.

Step 3: Examine the options

• A. British Labour Party: This is external. It was a political party in Britain, and its 1945 government was more sympathetic to decolonization.
• B. Return of ex-servicemen: This is internal. Nigerian soldiers fought in World War II (in Burma and elsewhere), where they saw that white men were not invincible. They learned about world affairs, returned with new political awareness, and were frustrated by poor pay, unemployment, and unfair treatment. Many joined nationalist movements.
• C. Pan-African Congress: This is external. It was held abroad and was driven by Africans in the diaspora.
• D. Independence of India: This is external. It inspired Nigerians, but it happened outside the country.

Step 4: Answer The only internal factor listed is the return of ex-servicemen, which is option B.

Tip: To separate internal from external factors, ask yourself: "Did it happen inside Nigeria or come from outside?" Remember that foreign events and organizations (India, Pan-African Congress, Labour Party, the UN) are external. The ex-servicemen came back home and added to the pressure within Nigeria.