NECO 2009 Government · Question 5

In implementing her Afrocentric foreign policy, Nigeria has to

Options

  1. A.compromise her national interest
  2. B.make financial sacrifices
  3. C.respect international public opinion
  4. D.relate with her neighbors

Answer: B. make financial sacrifices

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The question asks what Nigeria must do in carrying out its Afrocentric foreign policy, which is the policy that makes Africa the centrepiece of Nigeria's external relations.

Explain the concept: Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has treated Africa as the focus of its foreign policy. In practice this has meant:

  • Supporting the liberation of African countries from colonial and apartheid rule (Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa)
  • Helping found the OAU (now the AU) and ECOWAS
  • Contributing troops and money to peacekeeping (ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone)
  • Giving aid, scholarships, and technical assistance (Technical Aid Corps)
  • Granting financial support to liberation movements and to the Southern African Relief Fund

Step-by-step solution:

  • A. Compromise her national interest. Wrong. Foreign policy is meant to promote national interest, not compromise it.
  • B. Make financial sacrifices. Correct. Nigeria has spent huge sums on peacekeeping, liberation movements, AU/ECOWAS dues, debt relief, and aid to other African states. These are the "sacrifices" of being the "Big Brother" in Africa.
  • C. Respect international public opinion. Wrong. This is a general principle of diplomacy and is not specific to the Afrocentric focus.
  • D. Relate with her neighbors. Plausible, but this is only about neighbors. Afrocentrism covers the whole of Africa, and relating with neighbors is a normal part of any foreign policy, not a special requirement of this one.

Answer: B. make financial sacrifices

Exam tip: For "Afrocentric policy" questions, remember that leadership costs money. Think of Nigeria's spending on peacekeeping, liberation support, and aid. Whenever an option mentions "sacrifice" or "cost" in this context, it is usually the right one.

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