The most effective instrument adopted by Nigeria against the East-West Cold War in the 1960s was

In the context of Nigeria during the 1960s, the **most effective instrument** adopted by the country against the East-West Cold War was the **Non-alignment policy**. This policy aimed to maintain Nigeria's independence and neutrality by avoiding formal alliances with either of the two superpower blocs, the United States-led Western bloc or the Soviet Union-led Eastern bloc.

The **Non-alignment policy** provided several key benefits that contributed to its effectiveness:

Independence and Sovereignty: By not aligning with either superpower, Nigeria was able to maintain its sovereignty and make independent foreign policy decisions without the pressure or influence from either side.

Flexibility in Diplomacy: The policy allowed Nigeria to engage diplomatically with various nations, regardless of their ideological leanings. This enabled Nigeria to pursue bilateral relationships that were beneficial for its own national interest without being confined to a specific bloc.

Focus on Development: By adopting a stance of non-alignment, Nigeria could focus more on its domestic economic development and regional leadership within Africa, rather than getting entangled in the Cold War conflicts.

Overall, the **Non-alignment policy** effectively allowed Nigeria to navigate the geopolitical tensions of the Cold War while preserving its independence and focusing on its national interests and development goals.