Nigeria

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the most populous country in Africa and one of the world’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse nations. Situated on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, it covers 923,768 sq km and has an estimated population of 236.7 million (2024). Nigeria serves as the continent’s economic, political, and cultural hub, but faces enduring challenges of corruption, inequality, insecurity, and infrastructural weakness despite its vast resource wealth—especially petroleum.

Historical Background

Precolonial eraLong before European contact, the area now known as Nigeria hosted several sophisticated civilisations and kingdoms, including the Kanem-Bornu Empire, the Sokoto Caliphate, the Oyo Empire, and the Benin Kingdom. These entities developed complex systems of governance, trade, and art, particularly noted for Benin bronzework and Hausa architecture.
Colonial consolidationBritish influence began in the early 19th century through missionary activity and trade. In 1914, Britain amalgamated the Northern and Southern Protectorates, creating a single colony—Nigeria. The federation inherited deep ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions between the predominantly Muslim north and Christian/animist south.
Independence and conflictNigeria gained independence in 1960, initially under a parliamentary system. Ethnic and regional tensions led to a military coup (1966) and the Biafran Civil War (1967–1970), when the southeastern region attempted to secede. The conflict caused over one million deaths, mostly from famine, and left lasting scars on national cohesion.
Military rule and democracyFrom 1966 to 1999, Nigeria alternated between military regimes and short-lived civilian governments. Civilian rule was restored in 1999 with the election of Olusegun Obasanjo. Since then, Nigeria has held multiple democratic elections and peaceful transitions of power—most notably in 2015, when Muhammadu Buhari defeated the incumbent president. In 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) became president, continuing Nigeria’s democratic experiment amid economic pressures and insecurity.

Geography and Environment

• Location: Western Africa, bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon
• Coordinates: 10° N, 8° E
• Area: 923,768 sq km
• Coastline: 853 km
• Topography: Southern coastal lowlands, central plateaus, and northern plains; mountains in the southeast
• Highest point: Chappal Waddi (2,419 m)
• Climate: Equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north
• Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, tin, limestone, and fertile land
• Major river: The Niger River, the lifeline of Nigeria’s agriculture and transport networks

Environmental challenges include deforestation, desertification, oil spills, flooding, and air pollution. Nigeria has one of the fastest deforestation rates globally, while the Niger Delta suffers severe ecological degradation from decades of oil extraction.

People and Society

• Population (2024): 236,747,130
• Median age: 19.3 years — among the youngest globally
• Urban population: 54.3% (growing at 4% per year)
• Major cities: Lagos (15.9 million), Abuja (3.8 million), Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt

Ethnic composition: Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo 15.2%, Fulani 6%, others 24.9%
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, and over 500 indigenous languages.
Religions:

• Muslim 53.5%
• Christian 45.9%
• Traditional and other faiths 0.6%

Social indicators:

• Life expectancy: 62.2 years
• Fertility rate: 4.52 children per woman
• Maternal mortality: 993 per 100,000 live births (among the world’s highest)
• Infant mortality: 53.7 per 1,000 live births
• Literacy rate: 63.2% (male 73.7%, female 53.3%)
• Education expenditure: 0.3% of GDP

Sharp regional inequalities persist, with the north lagging behind the south in literacy, healthcare, and gender equality. Nigeria’s youth bulge presents both a demographic opportunity and a policy challenge.

Government and Politics

• Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Government type: Federal presidential republic
• Capital: Abuja (since 1991)
• Administrative divisions: 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory

Executive:

• President: <u>Bola Ahmed Tinubu</u> (since 29 May 2023)
• Vice-President: Kashim Shettima
• The Federal Executive Council includes one minister from each state.

Legislature:

• National Assembly (bicameral)
  • Senate: 109 members
  • House of Representatives: 360 members

Judiciary:

• Supreme Court (Chief Justice + 15 justices)
• Legal system combines English common law, Sharia (Islamic law) in 12 northern states, and customary law elsewhere.

Dominant political parties: All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
National symbols:

• Flag: Green–white–green (peace and agriculture)
• National anthem: “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” (reinstated 2024)
• Emblem: Eagle and green field
• Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress

Economy

Nigeria possesses Africa’s largest economy, powered by oil and gas, telecommunications, and services, yet constrained by corruption, inflation, and weak infrastructure. The petroleum sector provides over 80% of export earnings but employs fewer than 10% of workers.

• GDP (PPP, 2024): $1.318 trillion
• GDP per capita (PPP): $5,700
• Growth rate: 3.4%
• Inflation: 33.2% (among the world’s highest)
• Poverty rate: 40%
• Gini index: 35.1
• Unemployment: 3% (2024 est.)
• Labour force: 113 million

Sectoral composition:

• Agriculture – 20.4% (cassava, yams, maize, rice, oil palm)
• Industry – 29.6% (oil, cement, textiles, food processing)
• Services – 47% (banking, telecommunications, trade)

Trade (2023):

• Exports: crude oil, natural gas, cocoa, gold, fertiliser
  • Main destinations: USA, Spain, France, Netherlands, India
• Imports: refined petroleum, vehicles, machinery, wheat, plastics
  • Main sources: China (26%), Singapore, Belgium, India, USA

Currency: Naira (NGN) — ₦1,478.96 per US$ (2024)Foreign reserves: $38.6 billionRemittances: 11.3% of GDP (2024 est.), reflecting Nigeria’s vast diaspora.

Energy and Infrastructure

Despite being a major oil producer, Nigeria faces chronic power shortages.

• Oil production: 1.5 million barrels/day (2023)
• Proven oil reserves: 36.9 billion barrels
• Natural gas reserves: 5.76 trillion cubic metres
• Electricity access: 60.5% overall (urban 89%, rural 27%)
• Generation mix: fossil fuels 77%, hydro 22.5%

Persistent blackouts, fuel theft, and underinvestment hinder productivity and investment. Energy reforms aim to expand gas-based power and renewables.

Military and Security

• Active personnel: ~140,000 (2025 est.)
• Branches: Army, Navy (with Coast Guard functions), Air Force
• Defence spending: 0.7% of GDP

Security threats:

• Terrorism: Boko Haram and ISIS–West Africa (northeast)
• Banditry and kidnappings: northwest and central states
• Separatist agitation: southeast (Biafra-related)
• Piracy: Gulf of Guinea

Nigeria leads and contributes to regional counterterrorism through the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and UN peacekeeping operations.

Space and Technology

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and Defence Space Administration (DSA) manage Nigeria’s space activities. Objectives include satellite launches, remote sensing, and telecommunications development. The country plans to launch an indigenous satellite by 2030 with support from China, Russia, India, and the U.S.

Environment

Nigeria’s environment is under severe strain from oil pollution, urban waste, deforestation, and desert encroachment in the north.

• CO₂ emissions (2023): 114 million metric tons
• Recycling rate: 4.7% of municipal waste (2022 est.)

Environmental agencies, such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), face enforcement difficulties amid rapid population growth.