Nigeria country profile

After lurching from one military coup to another, Nigeria now has an elected leadership. But it faces the growing challenge of preventing Africa’s most populous country from breaking apart along ethnic and religious lines.

Political liberalisation ushered in by the return to civilian rule in 1999 has allowed militants from religious and ethnic groups to express their frustrations more freely, and with increasing violence.

Overview:

The imposition of Islamic law in several states has embedded divisions and caused thousands of Christians to flee. Inter-faith violence is said to be rooted in poverty, unemployment and the competition for land.

The government is striving to boost the economy, which experienced an oil boom in the 1970s and is once again benefiting from high prices on the world market. But progress has been undermined by corruption and mismanagement.

The former British colony is one of the world’s largest oil producers, but the industry has produced unwanted side effects.

The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption in the Niger delta – the home of the industry. Few Nigerians, including those in oil-producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth.

In 2004, Niger Delta activists demanding a greater share of oil income for locals began a campaign of violence against the oil infrastructure, threatening Nigeria’s most important economic lifeline.

Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment but is hindered in this quest by security concerns as well as by a shaky infrastructure troubled by power cuts

Thousands of people have died over the past few years in communal rivalry. Separatist aspirations have been growing, prompting reminders of the bitter civil war over the breakaway Biafran republic in the late 1960s.

President:

Goodluck Jonathan

Mr Jonathan's rapid rise to power was facilitated by the illness of President Yar'Adua

Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as president when his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, died after a long period of illness in May 2010.

Key Facts:

  • Full name: The Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Population: 154.7 million (UN, 2009)
  • Capital: Abuja
  • Largest city: Lagos
  • Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles)
  • Major languages: English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa
  • Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
  • Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 48 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo
  • Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products, cocoa, rubber
  • GNI per capita: US $1,160 (World Bank, 2008)
  • Internet domain: .ng
  • International dialling code: +234

    • The press

    • The Guardian – influential, privately-owned national daily
    • The Champion – Lagos-based daily
    • The Daily Times – Lagos-based government daily
    • The Punch – privately-owned daily
    • New Nigerian – government daily, separate editions in Lagos and Kaduna
    • The Daily Independent – Lagos State-based daily
    • Daily Trust – Abuja-based daily
    • Leadership – Abuja-based daily
    • Vanguard – Lagos-based, widely-read daily
    • This Day – widely-read Lagos-based daily
    • The Daily Sun – Lagos-based
    • Newswatch – weekly news magazine
    • Tell – news weekly

    Extracted from BBC country profile (current as of 29 September 2010)