West African Pilot, one of nationalist newspapers during colonial rule was edited by

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks who edited the West African Pilot, a nationalist newspaper during colonial rule in Nigeria.

Step 2: Recall the concept The nationalist press was an important tool in the struggle for independence. Some key newspapers and their founders or editors:

• West African Pilot (1937): founded by Nnamdi Azikiwe, who was also its editor. It was part of his Zik Group of Newspapers.
• Lagos Daily News (1925): founded by Herbert Macaulay, with Ernest Ikoli as an early editor.
• Daily Service: associated with the Nigerian Youth Movement and edited by Ernest Ikoli.
• Nigerian Tribune (1949): founded by Obafemi Awolowo.
• Daily Times: an early nationalist-era paper in Lagos.

Step 3: Work through the options

• A. Ernest Ikoli edited the African Messenger and the Daily Service, not the West African Pilot.
• B. H.O. Davies was a nationalist and NYM member, but he was not the editor of the Pilot.
• C. Herbert Macaulay was linked to the Lagos Daily News.
• D. Nnamdi Azikiwe founded and edited the West African Pilot in Lagos in 1937. This matches.
• E. Obafemi Awolowo is linked to the Nigerian Tribune.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **D.

Exam tip: Match each newspaper to its owner with this memory chain:

• Pilot → Zik
• Tribune → Awo
• Lagos Daily News → Macaulay
• Daily Service → Ikoli/NYM

Pairs like these are commonly tested in Government exams, so it is worth memorizing them.