Islamic University Multidisciplinary Journal IUMJ, vol. 7 (4), 2020 168 Analytical Appraisal of The Factors Responsible for the Metamorphosis of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to African Union (AU) Muritala Dauda, Mohammad Zaki Bin Ahmad, and Mohammad F. Keling Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) College of Law, Government and International Studies, School of International Studies kalmurtala@gmail.com. Abstract The OAU was the first continental organization in Africa formed by Pan-Africanism through which many countries in Africa achieved their political independence. Similarly, the metamorphosis of OAU to AU was done in order to correct some of the imbalances and hindrances that have being affecting the former from achieving its goals and objectives effectively. The study appraises analytically some of the factors responsible for the transformation of OAU to AU where views and professional opinions of experts were reviewed. It also revealed and appraised that challenges confronted by the OAU such as high poverty rate, economic stagnation, gross human rights violation, disunity in Africa among others needed to be addressed for Africa’s goals and objectives to be actually realized. The study makes use of neo-functionalism theory to describe possibility of waxing stronger and great if there is mutual sense of belonging among African States, particularly which has led to the formation of AU. The study is a qualitative that uses both primary and secondary sources of data. Twelve informants were interviewed from different Nigerian government parastatals and higher institutions. The interview data was thereby analysed thematically with the aid of Nvivo 10. Keywords: OAU, pan-Africanism, metamorphosis, African Union, Africa Introduction The struggle for independence from Western colonialism and the formation of the first ever inter- government organization in the African continent, the Organization of African Union (OAU) constitute an integral part of the rich tapestry of African modern history. The catalysis behind these events was arguably a culmination of sustained efforts and campaigns initiated by the Pan-Africanism since the early 20 th century. A worldwide intellectual movement, Pan-Africanism aimed at securing national self- determination, as well as strengthening the solidarity between all peoples of African descents (Padmore, 1972). It also placed a strong emphasis on the belief that such solidarity will foster political, social and economic growth of ethnic Africans (Mark, 1979). One may argue that Pan-Africanism is a reference to an ideological and philosophical movement created and carried out by the Africans themselves. Underpinning the very essence of these ideology and philosophy is the urgency and importance for the Africans to unchain the long shackle of destructive influence of Western colonialism. The dark period of colonialism in the continent has caused destabilization and oppression, eventually laying out the foundation of disunity among the African people, with its ripples can still be seen and felt until this present day (Young, 2016). Prominent Pan-Africanists, most notably Henry Sylvester-William, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Herbert Macaulay, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Jomo Kenyatta, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa among others shared a consensus that both slavery and colonialism were largely to be blamed for the widespread and pervasive practice of racism in the African continent. Such practice has subsequently eroded not only African culture, but also local custom and value (Chirisa, Mumba, & Dirwai, 2014). The aftermath of the Second World War led to series of agitation for self-independence in the African continent became increasingly popular and active (Mark, 1979). Series of meeting and conferences were held around the world, with the primary focus on how to accelerate the decolonization process in Africa. In April 1958, the first regional meeting involving leaders and delegations from the newly independent African