While General Yakubu Gowon's regime is often credited with formalising the "centrepiece" terminology in the 1970s, the policy itself was rooted in the administration of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Upon independence in 1960, Balewa declared that Africa would be the primary concern of Nigeria's foreign policy. His commitment was evidenced by his leading role in forming the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.