In what year was oil first discovered in Nigeria?

In what year was oil first discovered in Nigeria?

• A. 1960
• B. 1954
• C. 1956
• D. 1958

Answer: (C)

The key idea is pinpointing the moment Nigeria’s oil industry began with the first discovery. Oil was first found in Nigeria in 1956 when a Shell-BP venture struck oil at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta. This discovery is what started the country’s petroleum era, with commercial production beginning a couple of years later and exports kicking off around 1958. The other years relate to different milestones—1960 marks independence, and 1958 is tied to production rather than the initial discovery.

The key idea is pinpointing the moment Nigeria’s oil industry began with the first discovery. Oil was first found in Nigeria in 1956 when a Shell-BP venture struck oil at Oloibiri in the Niger Delta. This discovery is what started the country’s petroleum era, with commercial production beginning a couple of years later and exports kicking off around 1958. The other years relate to different milestones—1960 marks independence, and 1958 is tied to production rather than the initial discovery.