Nigeria

Nigeria

Introduction

Background

British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa’s most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy

independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country’s history. In January 2010, Nigeria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.

Geography

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon

Geographic coordinates

10 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 923,768 sq km
country comparison to the world: 32 land:910,768 sq km
water:13,000 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries

total: 4,047 km
border countries:Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Coastline

853 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Natural resources

natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land

Land use

arable land: 33.02%
permanent crops:3.14%
other:63.84% (2005)

Irrigated land

2,930 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

286.2 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 8.01cu km/yr (21%/10%/69%)
per capita:61cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts

flooding

Environment – current issues

soil degradation

rapid deforestation

urban air and water pollution

desertification

oil pollution – water, air, and soil

has suffered serious damage from oil spills

loss of arable land

rapid urbanization

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Nigerian(s)
adjective:Nigerian

Ethnic groups

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups

the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Languages

English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

Religions

Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Population

155,215,573 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8 note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.9% (male 32,476,681/female 31,064,539)
15-64 years:55.9% (male 44,296,228/female 42,534,542)
65 years and over:3.1% (male 2,341,228/female 2,502,355) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 19.2 years
male:19.2 years
female:19.3 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.935% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59

Birth rate

35.51 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Death rate

16.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Net migration rate

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122

Urbanization

urban population: 50% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:3.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Lagos 10.203 million

Kano 3.304 million

Ibadan 2.762 million

ABUJA (capital) 1.857 million

Kaduna 1.519 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.94 male(s)/female
total population:1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

840 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 9

Infant mortality rate

total: 91.54 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 10 male:97.42 deaths/1,000 live births
female:85.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 47.56 years
country comparison to the world: 219 male:46.76 years
female:48.41 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.73 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 117

Physicians density

0.395 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 131

Hospital bed density

0.53 beds/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 168

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 75% of population
rural: 42% of population
total: 58% of population
unimproved:
urban: 25% of population
rural: 58% of population
total: 42% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 36% of population
rural: 28% of population
total: 32% of population
unimproved:
urban: 67% of population
rural: 72% of population
total: 68% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

3.6% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

3.3 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

HIV/AIDS – deaths

220,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:malaria and yellow fever
respiratory disease:meningococcal meningitis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease:one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever
water contact disease:leptospirosis and shistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

26.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 24

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:68%
male:75.7%
female:60.6% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years
male:10 years
female:8 years (2005)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form:Nigeria

Government type

federal republic

Capital

name: Abuja
geographic coordinates:9 05 N, 7 32 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

36 states and 1 territory*

Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara

Independence

1 October 1960 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1999

effective 29 May 1999

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Goodluck JONATHAN (since 5 May 2010, acting since 9 February 2010)

Vice President Mohammed Namadi SAMBO (since 19 May 2010)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government

JONATHAN assumed the presidency on 5 May 2010 following the death of President YAR’ADUA

JONATHAN was declared Acting President on 9 February 2010 by the National Assembly during the extended illness of the former president
head of government:President Goodluck JONATHAN (since 5 May 2010, acting since 9 February 2010)

Vice President Mohammed Namadi SAMBO (since 19 May 2010)
cabinet:Federal Executive Council
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 16 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)
election results:Goodluck JONATHAN elected president

percent of vote – Goodluck JONATHAN 58.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI 32.0%, Nuhu RIBADU 5.4%, Ibrahim SHEKARAU 2.4%, other 1.3%

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats, 3 from each state plus 1 from Abuja

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held on 9 April 2011 (next to be held in 2015)

House of Representatives – last held on 9 April 2011 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PDP 45, ACN 13, ANPP 7, CPC 5, other 4

House of Representatives – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PDP 123, ACN 47, CPC 30, ANPP 25, other 9

note – due to logistical problems elections in a number of constituencies were postponed

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges recommended by the National Judicial Council and appointed by the president)

Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government from a pool of judges recommended by the National Judicial Council)

Political parties and leaders

Accord Party [Augustine MAZIE, acting]

Action Congress of Nigeria or ACN [Bisi AKANDE]

All Nigeria Peoples Party or ANPP [Ogbonnaya ONU]

All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor C. UMEH]

Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]

Conference of Nigerian Political Parities or CNPP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]

Congress for Progressive Change or CPC

Democratic Peoples Party or DPP [Jeremiah USENI]

Fresh Democratic Party [Chris OKOTIE]

Labor Party [Dan NWANYANWU]

National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]

Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr. Okwesilieze NWODO]

Peoples Progressive Alliance [Larry ESIN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Academic Staff Union for Universities or ASUU

Campaign for Democracy or CD

Civil Liberties Organization or CLO

Committee for the Defense of Human Rights or CDHR

Constitutional Right Project or CRP

Human Right Africa

National Association of Democratic Lawyers or NADL

National Association of Nigerian Students or NANS

Nigerian Bar Association or NBA

Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC

Nigerian Medical Association or NMA

the press

Universal Defenders of Democracy or UDD

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, D-8, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Adebowale Ibidapo ADEFUYE
chancery:3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 986-8400
FAX:[1] (202) 775-1385
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Terence P. MCCULLEY
embassy:1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
mailing address:P. O. Box 5760, Garki, Abuja
telephone:[234] (9) 461-4000
FAX:[234] (9) 461-4036

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green

the color green represents the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, white stands for peace and unity

National symbol(s)

eagle

National anthem

name: “Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey”
lyrics/music:John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B. A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P. O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE
note:adopted 1978

the lyrics are a mixture of five of the top entries in a national contest

Economy

Economy – overview

Oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management but in 2008 began pursuing economic reforms. Nigeria’s former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from its overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of budgetary revenues. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. In November 2005, Abuja won Paris Club approval for a debt-relief deal that eliminated $18 billion of debt in exchange for $12 billion in payments – a total package worth $30 billion of Nigeria’s total $37 billion external debt. Since 2008 the government has begun to show the political will to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as modernizing the banking system, curbing inflation by blocking excessive wage demands, and resolving regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. GDP rose strongly in 2007-10 because of increased oil exports and high global crude prices in 2010. President JONATHAN has pledged to continue the economic reforms of his predecessor with emphasis on infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure is the main impediment to growth and in August 2010 JONATHAN unveiled a power sector blueprint that includes privatization of the state-run electricity generation and distribution facilities. The government also is working toward developing stronger public-private partnerships for roads. Nigeria’s financial sector was hurt by the global financial and economic crises and the Central Bank governor has taken measures to strengthen that sector.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$377.9 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $348.7 billion (2009 est.)
$326 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$216.8 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

8.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15 7% (2009 est.)
6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177 $2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 30%
industry:32%
services:38% (2010 est.)

Labor force

50.48 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 70%
industry:10%
services:20% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

4.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Population below poverty line

70% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%:32.4% (2004)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

43.7 (2003)
country comparison to the world: 46 50.6 (1997)

Investment (gross fixed)

13.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Budget

revenues: $20.55 billion
expenditures:$27.9 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

9.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

Public debt

17.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113 15.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212 11.5% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66 6% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17.585% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31 18.362% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$34.65 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $33.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$74.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59 $71.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$70.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56 $61.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$50.88 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 54 $33.32 billion (31 December 2009)
$49.8 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

cocoa, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber

cattle, sheep, goats, pigs

timber

fish

Industries

crude oil, coal, tin, columbite

rubber products, wood

hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

Industrial production growth rate

5.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Electricity – production

20.13 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity – consumption

18.14 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

2.458 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Oil – consumption

279,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Oil – exports

2.102 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Oil – imports

187,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50

Oil – proved reserves

37.2 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas – production

23.21 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Natural gas – consumption

7.216 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas – exports

15.99 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas – proved reserves

5.292 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Current account balance

$21.85 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15 $13.15 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$73.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39 $56.12 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

Exports – partners

US 37.4%, India 10.5%, Brazil 7.8%, Spain 6.9% (2010)

Imports

$53.46 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 $30.78 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals

Imports – partners

China 15.4%, Netherlands 9.7%, US 9.3%, France 4.8%, UK 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$34.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44 $44.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$9.16 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95 $7.846 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$69.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50 $63.35 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$9.521 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $8.606 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

nairas (NGN) per US dollar -
150.88 (2010)
148.9 (2009)
117.8 (2008)
127.46 (2007)
127.38 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

54 (2010)
country comparison to the world:86

Airports – with paved runways

total: 38
over 3,047 m:9
2,438 to 3,047 m:11
1,524 to 2,437 m:10
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:3 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 16
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:11
under 914 m:2 (2010)

Heliports

4 (2010)

Pipelines

condensate 26 km

gas 2,756 km

liquid petroleum gas 97 km

oil 3,441 km

refined products 4,090 km (2010)

Railways

total: 3,505 km
country comparison to the world: 49 narrow gauge:3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 193,200 km
country comparison to the world: 26 paved:28,980 km
unpaved:164,220 km (2004)

Waterways

8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2009)
country comparison to the world: 15

Merchant marine

total: 98
country comparison to the world: 51 by type:cargo 4, chemical tanker 30, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 60, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned:4 (India 1, Spain 1, UK 2)
registered in other countries:37 (Bahamas 2, Belize 2, Bermuda 11, Comoros 1, Italy 1, Liberia 4, Malaysia 1, Malta 1, North Korea 1, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Seychelles 1, unknown 4) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos

Transportation – note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships

in 2010, 19 commercial vessels were boarded or attacked with most occurring in the vicinity of the port of Lagos

crews were robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Military

Military branches

Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2008)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 37,087,711
females age 16-49:35,232,127 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,839,976
females age 16-49:19,867,683 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 1,767,428
female:1,687,719 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 96

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately cedes sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phase-out of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues

the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementation

only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission’s admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries

location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,778 (Liberia)
IDPs:undetermined (communal violence between Christians and Muslims since President OBASANJO’s election in 1999

displacement is mostly short-term) (2007)

Illicit drugs

a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets

consumer of amphetamines

safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide

major money-laundering center

massive corruption and criminal activity

Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF’s) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006

Nigeria’s anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF