Nigeria failed to harmonize her policy with OPEC during the 1973 Middle East crisis because she

Analyze the question

The question asks why Nigeria did not align (harmonize) her policy with OPEC, specifically the Arab oil producers, during the 1973 Middle East crisis (the Yom Kippur War / Arab-Israeli war).

Explain the concept

In 1973, the Arab members of OPEC (through OAPEC) imposed an oil embargo on countries seen as supporting Israel, chiefly the United States and the Netherlands. The aim was to pressure the West to change its stance on the Arab-Israeli conflict, and oil prices rose sharply.

Nigeria was an OPEC member but not an Arab state. Nigeria's government under General Gowon did not join the embargo, and Nigeria continued selling crude oil to the United States, which was a major buyer of Nigerian light crude. Nigeria's reasons were largely economic, since the oil revenue was badly needed after the civil war, and she was not directly involved in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Solution (eliminating options)

• A. Counter trade: This is exchanging goods for goods. It was not a feature of Nigeria's oil policy in 1973 (it appeared in the 1980s), so it is wrong.
• B. Sold oil to the United States of America: This is correct. Continuing sales to the US meant Nigeria did not follow the embargo that the Arab OPEC members imposed.
• C. Reduced her oil price: Nigeria actually benefited from the price rise, so this is wrong.
• D. Embargoed the sale of oil to other nations: If Nigeria had done this, she would have been in line with the Arab producers, not out of step with them.

Answer: Option B. Nigeria kept selling oil to the United States while the Arab producers were embargoing it.

Tip: For "failed to harmonize with OPEC/Arab policy in 1973," remember that the embargo targeted the US, so whoever kept selling to the US broke ranks. Nigeria was an OPEC member but not an Arab one, which is why she could take an independent line.