Nigeria - Canada relations were strained in 1996 because Canada

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks why relations between Nigeria and Canada became tense in 1996. This points to the Abacha military regime (1993-1998).

Step 2: Recall the background

• In November 1995, the Abacha government executed Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists.
• This caused international outrage. The Commonwealth suspended Nigeria in 1995 at the Auckland summit in New Zealand.
• Canada was one of the most vocal critics of the regime. It recalled its High Commissioner, imposed diplomatic and military sanctions, and pushed for Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth.
• Nigeria, under Abacha, accused Canada of interfering in its internal affairs, and relations were strained through 1996.

Step 3: Eliminate the options

• B. Refused to cancel Nigeria's debts: Debt relief was not the cause of the 1996 tension.
• C. Supported rebels in Sierra Leone: Nigeria, through ECOMOG, was supporting the Sierra Leone government. Canada was not backing rebels.
• D. Stopped buying Nigerian oil: Canada did not impose an oil embargo. The US and the EU debated one, but it was not implemented.
• A. Supported Nigeria's suspension from the Commonwealth: This matches the history. Canada's strong stance on the Ogoni executions and the Commonwealth suspension strained relations.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A.

Exam tip: For questions on Nigeria's foreign relations in the 1990s, link them to the Abacha regime: the Saro-Wiwa execution, Commonwealth suspension, and sanctions. Whenever a question mentions 1995-1996 diplomatic tension with Western or Commonwealth countries, think "human rights and Commonwealth suspension."