1. Nigeria: An Overview

2. Why Study Nigeria? Large oil reserves? Corruption by high ranking officials to gain personal wealth (prebendalism) political instability Focus on 5 Issue Areas: 1.Maintaining the balance of civil/military relations 2.Managing diversity 3.Transitioning from authoritarian/military rule to democracy 4.Successfully exploiting natural resources for the public good 5.Determining the role of religion in politics

3. Map CIA Factbook

4. Background British influence through the 19th century Independence: 1960 16 years of military rule New constitution adopted in 1999 Peaceful transition to civilian government was completed Challenges: Reforming a petroleum-based economy (revenues depleted through corruption and mismanagement) Institutionalizing democracy. Longstanding ethnic and religious tensions April 2003 elections had irregularities Experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence General elections in April 2007 were flawed by Nigerian and international observers Marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA took office on 29 May 2007.

5. Geography Located in Western Africa: Bordering the Gulf of Guinea, Benin, Chad, Niger and Cameroon Slightly more than twice the size of California Climate varies: Equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Land Use: arable land 33.0% permanent crops 3.1% other 63.8% Periodic droughts and flooding Niger river: Important for trade, etc. Natural Resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, ion ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land

6. Environmental Issues Soil degradation Rapid deforestation Air and water pollution Desertification **Oil pollution- water and soil Serious damage from oil spills Loss of arable land Rapid Urbanization

7. People 135 million (2007 estimate) Largest in Africa Age Structure: 0-14 42.2% 15-64 54.7% Over 64 3.1% Growth Rate: 2.4% (2007 estimate) Literacy Rate: 60% 18 is the median age Ethnic Groups: Over 250 ethnic groups Hausa and Fulani 29% Yoruba 21% Igbo 18% Ijaw 10% Kanuri 4% Ibibio 3.5% Tiv 2.5% Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, Indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official) Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

8. Ethnic Groups Northwest: Combined 2 groups: Hausa- Fulani (predominately Muslim) Northeast: Kanori (predominately Muslim) Middle Belt: smaller ethnic groups mix of (Christian and Muslim) Ibibio Southwest: Yoruba (40% Muslim, 40% Christian, 20% native religions) Southeast: Igbo- (Roman Catholic) Southern Zone: Delta of the Niger River, various minority groups

9. Ethnic Groups Ethnic identification matters more than does a national one 3 largest groups have nothing in common: politically, socially, or historically Most speak only their “home” language and English All groups live separately Religion not as important as ethnicity in the south (Yoruba). In the north, religion plays a greater role (Hausa-Fulani) and women rarely vote Sharia Law?

10. Economy GDP: 191.4 Billion GDP Growth rate: 5.3% GDP Per Capita (PPP): $1,500 (2006) Labor Force: Agriculture: 70% Industry: 10% Service: 20% Unemployment rate: 5.8% and 60% below the poverty line- Gini Index: 43.7 Export partners: US 49%, Spain 8%, Brazil 7%, France 4% Export Commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

11. The Politics of Oil Most of the Oil is located in the Southwestern part of the Country OPEC member: Developed nations often turn to Nigeria when the Middle East is in turmoil Rent-seeking state: those states which derive all or a substantial portion of their national revenues from the rent of resources to external clients. Huge influence from Shell/Texaco

12. The Politics of Oil Niger Delta: Protests of foreign-based oil companies Emancipation of the Niger Delta: wants more oil money to go to the people of Nigeria (kidnappings, murder) Many companies have left or cut production Mid- 2007: One quarter of Nigeria’s oil output has been shut down Hurts Nigeria’s economy