History and People of Nigeria

Much has been said and written about Nigeria, her people and culture, economy and politics, that
sheds light on the tremendous potential of this African Giant. However, little is known to the outside
world about the many exciting tourist attractions available in Nigeria: Historic sites nestled amid
rivers and rain forests, breathtaking mountain vistas, remote creek villages, miles of pristine beaches
and exotic national wildlife reserves. There are also museums, festivals, music and dance, a rich
cultural melange right down to everyday traditional markets. These are just some of the spectacular
sights and sensual delights awaiting the traveler to Nigeria.

Nigeria has the largest population of any country in Africa (about 120 million), and the greatest
diversity of cultures, ways of life, cities and terrain. With a total land area of 923,768 sq. km.
(356,668 sq. mi.) Nigeria is the 14th largest country in Africa. Its coastline, on the Gulf of Guinea,
stretches 774 km (480 mi.). Nigeria shares its international border of 4,470 km (2513 mi.) with four
neighbors: Chad, Cameroon, Benin, and Niger. Until 1989 the capital was Lagos, with a population
of about 2,500,000, but the government recently moved the capital to Abuja.

History
Virtually all the native races of Africa are represented in Nigeria, hence the great diversity of her
people and culture. It was in Nigeria that the Bantu and SemiBantu, migrating from southern and
central Africa, intermingled with the Sudanese. Later, other groups such as Shuwa-Arabs, the
Tuaregs, and the Fulanis, who are concentrated in the far north, entered northern Nigeria in
migratory waves across the Sahara Desert. The earliest occupants of Nigeria settled in the forest
belt and in the Niger Delta region.Today there are estimated to be more than 250 ethnic groups in
Nigeria. While no single group enjoys an absolute numeric majority, four major groups constitute
60% of the population: Hausa-Fulani in the north, Yoruba in the west, and Igbo in the east. Other
groups include: Kanuri, Binis, Ibibio, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Efik, Nupe, Tiv, and Jukun.

Empires

Kanem-Borno:
While there is no direct evidence to link the people of the Jos Plateau with the Nok culture, or the
Eze Nri of today with Igbo Ukwu, the history of Borno dates back to the 9th Century when Arabic
writers in north Africa first noted the kingdom of Kanem east of Lake Chad. Bolstered by trade with
the Nile region and Trans-Saharan routes, the empire prospered. In the next centuries, complex
political and social systems were developed, particularly after the Bulala invasion in the 14th
Century. The empire moved from Kanem to Borno, hence the name. The empire lasted for 1,000
years (until the 19th Century) despite challenges from the HausaFulani in the west and Jukun from
the south.

Hausa-Fulani:
To the west of Borno around 1,000 A.D., the Hausa were building similar states around Kano, Zaria,
Daura, Katsina, and Gobir. However, unlike the Kanuri, no ruler among these states ever became
powerful enough to impose his will over the others. Although the Hausa had common languages,
culture, and Islamic religion, they had no common king. Kano, the most powerful of these states,
controlled much of the Hausa land in the 16th and 17th Centuries, but conflicts with the surrounding
states ended this dominance. Because of these conflicts, the Fulanis, led by Usman Dan Fodio in
1804, successfully challenged the Hausa States and set up the Hausa-Fulani Caliphate with
headquarters in Sokoto, commanding a broad area from Katsina in the far north to Ilorin, across the
River Niger.
Yoruba:
In the west, the Yoruba developed complex, powerful city-states. The first of these important states
was Ile-Ife, which according to Yoruba mythology was the center of the universe. Ife is the site of a
unique art form first uncovered in thel93Os. Naturalistic terracotta, bronze heads and other artifacts
dating as far back as the 10th Century show just how early the Yoruba developed an advanced
civilization. Later, other Yoruba cities challenged Ife for supremacy, and Oyo became the most
powerful West African kingdom in the 16th and 17th Centuries. The armies of the Oyo king (Alafin)
dominated other Yoruba cities and even forced tribute from the ruler of Dahomey. Internal power
struggles and the Fulani expansion to the south caused the collapse of Oyo in the early 19th
Century.

Benin:
Benin developed into a major kingdom during the same period that Oyo was becoming dominant to
the west. Although the people of Benin are primarily Edo, not Yoruba, they share with Ife and Oyo
many of the same origins, and there is much evidence of cultural and artistic interchange between
the kingdoms. The King (Oba) oE Benin was considered semi-divine and controlled a complex
bureaucracy, a large army, and a diversified economy. Benin's power reached its apex in the 16th
Century.

Igbo and the Delta States

Many Nigerian cultures did not develop into centralized monarchies. Of these, the Igbo are probably
the most remarkable because of the size of their territory and the density of population. Igbo
societies were organized in self-contained villages, or federations of village communities, with a
society of elders and age-grade associations sharing various governmental functions. The same was
true of the Ijaw of the Niger Delta and people of the Cross River area, where secret societies also
played a prominent role in administration and governmental functions. But by the 18th Century,
overseas trade had begun to encourage the emergence of centralized systems of government.

Southwest Nigeria

Abeokuta
means 'under the rock', derived from the Olumo Rock, the town's most famous landmark. Abeokuta,
the capital of Ogun State, lies on the Ogun River amid rugged, rocky hills, offering excellent photo
opportunities. Home of adire cloth, Abeokuta has an intriguing array of markets which sell a wide
range of exotic goods. Olumo Rock, sacred to the Egba people, is on the east side of the Ogun river.
Visitors should engage a guide from the tourist center at the bottom of the rock where one can
explore the caves used as sanctuary during the Yoruba civil war. At the rock's summit, visitors can
enjoy a tremendous view of Abeokuta and the Ogun River.

Benin City
is steeped in history. World-renowned Benin bronze sculptures date back to the 15th Century when
the Oba of Benin ruled the large and powerful Edo kingdom, a period when bronze casting was an
art used to glorify the Oba. In 1897, a British expeditionary force sacked Benin and hauled off many
of the bronzes to London. Still, several good examples of the bronze artifacts remain in both the
Benin and Lagos Museums. Today, bronze casting is still continued in several streets in the city,
including Igun and Oloton streets. Another attraction in Benin is Chief Ogiamen's House, a prime
example of Benin traditional architecture built before 1897. The house miraculously survived the
"Great Fire" during that period which destroyed most of the city.
Ibadan
was until recently the largest indigenous African city. Located along the edge of a thickly wooded
forest belt, it was called Eba-Odan, meaning a town at the edge of the forest.' Today it's the capital
and main commercial center of Oyo state. Places of interest include Dugbe market, a huge
traditional marketplace, the Parliament Building, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria's premiere
university, its Teaching Hospital and Cocoa House. Ibadan is also close to the historic towns of Oyo,
Ogbomosho, Ijebu-Ode, Ife, Ilesha, and Oshogbo.

Ile-Ife,
the ancient city of Ile-lfe, in Osun State, is truly unique. The Yorubas consider it to be the cradle of
creation and civilization. Legend says that it was at Ife that Oduduwa, sent by Olodumare, the
Yoruba creator-god, established the first land upon the waters that covered the earth, thus founding
Ife. His sons spread to other parts of Yoruba to create further kingdoms. Ile-lfe became a remarkable
center for arts, producing both terracotta figures and bronzes dating from the 12th to 15th Centuries,
second only in fame to the Benin bronzes.

Lagos,
on Lagos Island, has been settled since the 15th Century, when Yoruba groups used it as a refuge
from outside attacks. It was a trading post between the Benin Kingdom and the Portuguese until the
arrival of British traders in the 19th Century, presaging the colonization of the interior. Lagos is
divided into several parts, each with its distinctive character. The heart of the city is Lagos Island
(Eko), containing most of Nigeria's commercial and administrative headquarters. It is linked to the
mainland by three road bridges, and to Ikoyi Island and Victoria Island by road. The latter are mostly
residential areas with palatial houses, expansive gardens and five star hotels in a gorgeous setting.
Tourist attractions in the city include The National Museum, The National Theater and miles of
beautiful beaches. Finally, Oba's Palace sits majestically on Lagos Island, portions of which are over
200 years old with a newly contructed extension.

Ondo,
area has many fascinating tourist attractions including the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Idanre Hills, Ipolo-
Iloro Water Falls, Ebomi Lake and the Museum at Owo. The most popular are Ikogosi Warm Spring
and the Idanre Hills. The Ikogosi Warm Spring, located in a valley in Ikogosi Town, northeast of
Akure, is ideal for camping or picnics. The Idanre Hills, with curious dome-shaped peaks, are located
in Idanre, southwest of Akure. The hills have a socio-religious significance, having protected
inhabitants from invaders during inter-ethnic wars in the distant past.

Southeast Nigeria

Anambra State
offers many exciting attractions throughout the area, including the Ogbunike caves, Agulu Lake,
Igbo-Ukwu archaeological excavations and the Aguleri Game Reserve. Onitsha, located on the
Eastern bank of the River Niger, is famous for its robust market and commercial activity. The
traditional Ofala festivals, performed by royalty in Anambra, are rare pageants of color and fanfare.
Calabar is an attractive city on the bank of the New Calabar River, near its confluence with the Cross
River, which has a long history as the regional port of eastern Nigeria. Residents here trace their
ancestots back to Babylon before the time of Christ.
First visited by the Portuguese at the end of the 15th Century, CALABAR is also the center from
which many missionaries ventured forth in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Mary Slessor, who
arrived in Calabar in 1875. Places of interest include the National Museum in the old Residency
Building. The building was prefabricated, shipped from Britain and erected atop Consular Hill in
1884, later known as Government Hill. The museum itself is history, a vibrant colonial stylecitadel
commanding superb views of Calabar and the Calabar River. The museum traces the history of
Calabar and the surrounding areas in a spacious setting. Enugu is the center of the Nigerian coal
industry, situated in attractive, hilly country with wide roads and expressways and main arteries
leading north, south, east and west.Sites in Enugu include a branch of the National Museum, the Iva
Valley Coal Mine Museum (where coal was first mined in 1909), and University of Nigeria faculties. It
also boasts one of the best hotels in Nigeria, the Nike Lake Hotel. Oron is in the southeast corner of
the Akwa-Jbom State, on the Cross River, and is worth visiting for its National Museum. The
Museum, overlooking the river, encases the history of the local Ibibo people plus an important
collection of wooden Ekpo memorial carvings that portray the male ancestors of the Ibibo people,
believed to be two to three centuries old.

Owerri
is predominantly inhabited by the Igbo peopIe. The Igbos are renowned for their music and dancing,
especially the colorful masquerades in which the dancers wear elaborate masks. Places of interest
include an amusement park, the Nekede Botanical and Zoological Gardens, the Palm Beach Tourist
Village at Awomama and the Oguta Lake Holiday Resort, which has recently developed into an
international tourist center.

Port Harcourt
is the capital of River State and is the center of the oil industry in Nigeria. It is called "The Garden
City" because of its abundance of trees and parks. Now the second most important port in Nigeria,
Port Harcourt did not exist before 1913. Nearby are the two historic ports of Bonny and Brass,
formerly connected with the slave trade, but which now serve as oil ports and terminals. The town is
a good base from which to explore the local creek villages and towns. The local people include Elk,
Kalabari and Ibos, not to mention British, French, American and Dutch, who work in the oil fields.

Sites include the State Museum, which features many examples of local culture including masks and
carvings. The Cultural Center on Bonny Street has a stage and auditorium for plays, dancing and a
shop where tourists can purchase local handicrafts. The Azumint Blue River sports beautiful clear
water with sandy beaches. Tourists can rent canoes for a ride down the river to stop at a beachside
picnic site, outfitted with wooden chairs, tables and grills for a pleasant riverside barbecue.

Umuahia
is home to the National War Museum where relics of the Nigerian civil war are on display, including
weapons and fascinating local inventions. Other attractions include the Akwette Blue River Tourist
Village and Uwana Beach. Visitors to Akwette will be impressed with its unique weaving industry.

Central Nigeria

Abuja,
in 1976, was selected by the Federal Government to become the new seat of government; and in
1992, the first of four stages of this move to Abuja was launched with most of the senior government
officials now in Abuja. Besides being the administrative seat of government, Abuja is a beautiful city
surrounded by rolling hills, with ample mountaineering potential. The Gwagwa Hills, near Suleja, the
Chukuku Hills, the Agwai Hills and the famous Zuma rocks are just some of the awe-inspiring
manifestations of nature's beauty in the area.

Bida
is a lively town, famous for its handicrafts and colorful market, and is the principal city of the Nupe
people. Bida is famous for its glass beads, cloths, silver and brass work, it's carved 8-legged stools
made from a single piece of wood, and decorative pottery. Bida's market truly stands out as a
traditional showcase of local commerce in Nigeria.

Gurara Falls
is on the Gurara River in Niger State, on the road between Suleja and Minna. Particularly impressive
during the rainy season, the falls span 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters, which
creates a dazzling rainbow effect as the water cascades over the top into a cloud of spray below.

Ilorin,
an ancient city, is the southernmost point of Fulani expansion and bears characteristics of both north
and south. It has often been described as the gateway between the two because of its strategic
location, and as a result offers a good base for visiting the surrounding area. Tourist sites in Ilorin
include the Mimi's Mosque and residence built in 1831, the first mosque in Ilorin, and the magnificent
new Central Mosque, built during the reign of Zul-Gambari, the late Emir of Ilorin. Both attest to the
Islamic culture of the city. Another attraction is the Dada pottery workshop in Okelele quarters, the
largest pottery factory in Nigeria. Other local tourist sites in Kwara State include the Esie Museum of
stone figures. Over 1,000 soap stone figures of men and women, sitting on stools or kneeling, with
elaborate hairstyles and facial marks. Little is known about the figures, being products of a very old
civilization. Esie museum houses the largest collection of stone figures in sub-saharan Africa.

Owo Falls,
in Kwara State is the highest and most spectacular natural waterfall in West Africa, at its best during
the rainy season. The waterfall cascades 330 feet down an escarpment with rocky outcrops to a pool
of ice-cold water below.

Lokoja
is an historic colonial town. Due to its location at the confluence of the two great rivers, the Niger and
Benue, it became the headquarters of the Royal Niger Company in the 19th Century. The
headquarters building, still standing, was prefabricated in London and shipped to Nigeria, where it
was assembled without using a single nail. Also in Lokoja is the Iron of Liberty, located in the
compound of the first primary school in northern Nigeria. Here, many slaves were freed at the end of
the slave trade.
Makurdi
is located on the bank of River Benue, one of the two great rivers in Nigeria. For visitors to the area,
there is a zoological garden in Makudi and Goven Hills, Ushango Hills and Bassa Hills, and fishing
and boating on the Benue River. In Igbor there is the Ikure Wildlife Park.

Okene
is the home of the Igbira, an industrious people renowned for their farming abilities and their
beautiful woven cloth. Picturesque Okene, nestled atop several rocky hills, is a fascinating place to
visit. The craft of cloth weaving still continues to thrive here and the cloth remains highly-prized
throughout Nigeria. For tourists in the area, Okene has a thriving market, open every other day,
where there is a section dedicated to the woven cloth.

Koton-Karfe
is located west of Okene and about 20 miles north of the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue.
For anyone who enjoys fishing, Koton-Karifi is a paradise, for the multiples of the Niger tributaries
are teeming with fish

Northeast Nigeria

Bauchi
is an old Hausa town surrounded by an appealing range of rolling hills, is close to both the Yankari
Game Reserve, approximately 1½ hours away to the southeast, and the site of the Geji Rock
Paintings, located on the Bauchi-Jos road. In Bauchi, tourists may also visit a memorial and library
dedicated to Sir Abubakari Balewa, the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, who was assassinated in
1966. The library houses many of Balewa's personal papers.

Jos
has always been a popular destination for tourists due to its height above sea level (4062 feet). Jos
has two golf courses, Rayfield and Plateau, plus a polo club and other sports/entertainment
offerings. The National Museum in Jos is one of the best in Nigeria, especially for archaeology and
pottery, where many fine examples of Nok heads and artifacts, circa 500 BC - 200 AD, are
displayed. The Pottery Hall has an exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery from all over the
country. On the same grounds, the Museum of Architecture contains life-size replicas of Nigerian
architecture, from the walls of Kano to the Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village. Other attractions in the
area include the wildlife park, nestled amid 8 sq. km (3.09 sq. miles) of unspoiled savanna bush,
where the rare pygmy hippopotamus is successfully being bred in 'hippo pool.'

Lions roam a large enclosure that simulates their natural habitat and visitors will also find elephants,
red river hogs, jackals, chimpanzees, crocodiles and numuerous other animals to view. The Shere
Hills can be seen to the east of Jos and offer a prime view of the city below. Assop Falls is a small
waterfall (again, best seen in the rainy season) which could make a pleasant picnic spot on a drive
from Jos to Abuja. RIYOM ROCK is a dramatic and photogenic pile of rocks balanced precariously
on top of one another, with one resembling a clown's hat, observable from the main Jos-Gimi road.
Kura Falls is a refreshing area forwalks and picnics, with scenery reminiscent of the Scottish
highlands.

Maiduguri
is a handsome, impressive town with broad streets and plentiful trees, presiding over strong
traditions and a culture dating back more than 1,000 years. Maiduguri is an ideal place for seeing the
Kanuri people, with their fine tribal markings, and the Shuwa women, adorned with plaited hairstyles
and flowing gowns.

The Borno Region

around Maiduguri is one of the most fascinating places in Nigeria. Along the northern borders of the
state is Sahel-Savannah country, endowed with rolling sand dunes punctuated by oases in the dry
season, yet covered with vegetation during the rainy season. Southern Borno is generally green
savannah land, enlivened by hills and rock formations, while toward the Cameroon border, visitors
will enjoy majestic mountain visages.

The Bulatra Oases

are on the western side of Borno State northeast of Nguru. This is the desert in a Hollywood film set:
dunes, camels and palm trees around an oasis. The severe beauty of this place offers a special treat
to visitors who have yet to experience such a daunting landscape. The oases are also excellent for
bird-watchers; in the dry season there are thousands of palaerartic migrants which congregate there.

Yola,
on the upper reaches of the Benue River, lies in close proximity to some of the most scenic areas of
Nigeria, situated along the mountainous border with Cameroon. The Mambilla Plateau is within a
day's journey from Yola, as are the Shebshi mountains to the south.

The Gwoza Hills

are breathtaking. They are located southeast of Maiduguri, and southeast of the village of Gwoza
Valley, along the Cameroon border.

Mandara Mountains
are also in this area, stretching from south, in the Mambilla, to Mubi in the north. The Mandaras
provide some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Africa. Itis suggested that tourists in the area
take at least a week to enjoy both the Nigeria and Cameroon sides of these mountains.

Northwest Nigeria

Kano City,
the oldest major city in Sub Saharan Africa, dates back more than a thousand years. For centuries it
was one of the most active commercial centers in West Africa. Today, it is Nigeria's third largest city
and the largest city in the north. Centrally located, Kano City acts as a terminus for all of northern
Nigeria, linked by road and communications with all other major population centers in the region. By
virtue of its historic role as trading center between the Sahara, down south to Zaria, Kano remains a
living, modern day relic of a rich past.

The Emir's Palace in Kano is the past incarnate with its old stone walls and entrance gate, at the
heart of this ancient city, encircled by a wall that extended 17.7km in circumference, with 16 different
gates. Close by, the Gidan Makama Museum offers an excellent history of Kano and of the Hausa
and Fulani peoples. Kano Central Mosque is one of the largest in Nigeria and, with permission, a
visitor may be allowed to ascend one of its towering minarets to gain a spectacular view of the city
below.

Kaduna
was previously the colonial capital of northern Nigeria. Located on the Kaduna River, the city serves
as an important junction, with roads extending in five different directions. Kaduna is a major
communications center and industrial base but also a thriving metropolis from which tourists can
explore the surrounding countryside. Within Kaduna there is a National Museum on Ali-Akilu Road
that features wood carvings, masks, Nok terracotta figures and Benin bronzes. Plans are under way
to have an annual Durbar festival in Kaduna like the 1977 Durbar, festival that drew all the northern
Emirs to Kaduna.

Katsina,
the northernmost city in Nigeria, sits on the edge of Sahel and borders the neighboring country of
Niger, which has traded with her for centuries. Katsina, one of the old walled Hausa cities, is the
capital of Katsina State. The Goborau Minaret, a most picturesque tourist attraction, is the tallest
mud-brick building in Nigeria and is 250 years old. A fine view of Katsina can be gained from the top,
an area that hosts the best and most elaborate Durbar festivals.

Birnin Kebbi,
a centuries old Hausa-Fulani walled city is the capital of the newly-created Kebbi State. The area is
famous for traditional arts and crafts, beads, swords and glassware, and is the site of the Argungu
Fishing Festival, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria. Held annually, it attracts
competitors from neighboring Niger and Chad Republics, plus many visitors from all over the world.
Apart from the traditional fishing competition, there are also boxing and wrestling contests.

Sokoto,
the center of Islamic activities in Nigeria, is the home of the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of
Muslims in the country. The city stretches with avenues of lush trees and wide roads, appearing like
an oasis in a semi-desert area. Sokoto is another of the great trading cities of the North, with old
trade routes across the Sahara to Morocco and Algeria. It is famed for its excellent leatherwork:
handbags, wallets, fans and other items featuring exquisite crafting.

The Sultan's Palace is a delightful sight, with its lavish architechture and guards in their multicolored
regalia. At 9:00 pm on Thursdays, visitors can watch the musicians play the Tambari for the Sultan.
Usman dan Fodio, the founder of the present day Hausa-Fulani states, is buried in Sokoto. Though
not a tourist site per se, it holds great historic importance.

Zaria,
one of the original seven Hausa cities founded in the 16th Century, is a vibrant, attractive city which
has retained its ancient look by leaving most of the modern development and industry to nearby
Kaduna. Once surrounded by some 19 km of walls, in some areas still well-preserved, Zaria has
three important establishments: The Ahmadu Bello University at Samaru quarter, the first university
in the north, Barewa College, the oldest high school in the north, where most of the Nigerian political
and military leaders were educated, and finally the Nigeria School of Civil Aviation, the only one of its
kind in West Africa.
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PAST AND PRESENT NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS

1. Embassy of Nigeria Sweden

2. PAST AND PRESENT NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS

PAST AND PRESENT NIGERIAN PRESIDENTS

President Muhammadu Buhari (Current President)

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (29 May 2010 to 29 May 2015)

Umaru-Musa-Yar-Adua (29 May 2007 to 5 May 2010)

Olusegun Obasanjo (29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007)

General Abdulsalami Abubakar (8 June 1998 to 29 May 1999)

General Sani Abacha (17 November 1993 to 8 June 1998)

Ernest Shonekan (26 August 1993 to 17 November 1993)

General-Ibrahim-Babangida (27 August 1985 to 26 August 1993)

General Muhammadu Buhari (31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985)

President Shehu Shagari (1 October 1979 to 31 December 1983)

General Obasanjo Olusegun (13 February 1976 to 1 October 1979)

General Murtala Mohammed (29 July 1975 to 13 February 1976)

General Yakubu Gowon (1 August 1966 to 29 July 1975)

General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi (16 January 1966 to 29 July 1966)

Azikiwe Nnamdi (1 October 1963 to 16 January 1966)

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NIGERIA GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

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2. NIGERIA GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Nigerian Geographical Information – Overview

Nigeria, officially addressed as the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the most populous country on
the African continent. She is located on the west of Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea in the
south, the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north.
Since 1991, its capital has been the centrally located city of Abuja, although the Nigerian
government was previously headquartered in Lagos.

Geographic coordinates:
100 N, 80 E

Land boundaries:
Total: 4,047 km

Coastline: 853 km

Border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Area:
Total area: 923,768 sq km

Land: 910,768 sq km

Water: 13,000 sq 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:
The climate varies across the country. The country has an equatorial climate in the south, tropical
in the central region, and arid in the north.

Terrain:
Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus, mountains in the southeast, plains in the
north.

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Natural resources:
Petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas, hydropower, arable
land, etc.

Land use:
Arable land: 31.29%
Permanent crops: 2.96%
Others: 65.75% (2001)

Irrigated land: 2,330 sq km

Natural Hazards:
Periodic droughts and flooding.

Environmental issues:
Soil Degradation, rapid deforestation, urban air and water pollution, desertification; droughts in
the north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities, oil pollution; water, air, and soil has
suffered serious damage from oil spills, loss of arable land due to rapid urbanization,

Environment – international agreements:

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate change, Desertification, Endangered species, Hazardous
wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements.

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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

1. Embassy of Nigeria Sweden

2. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Government and Politics

Political System

Nigeria is a federal republic with a presidential system. The constitution provides for the
separation of powers among the three branches of government. General elections held in
February 1999 marked the end of 15 years of military rule and the beginning of civilian rule
based on multiparty democracy.

Constitution

Nigeria’s current constitution, the fourth since independence, went into effect on May 29, 1999.
Modeled after the U.S. Constitution, it provides for separation of powers among a strong
executive, an elected legislature, and an independent judiciary. Critics of the constitution
complain that the federal government retains too much power at the expense of the states.
Although the constitution proclaims personal freedom and a secular state, it also permits
Muslims to follow sharia or Islamic law.

Branches of Government

Executive power is vested in the president, who is simultaneously chief of state and head of
government. The president is eligible for two four-year terms. The president’s Federal Executive
Council, or cabinet, includes representatives from all 36 states. The National Assembly,
consisting of a 109-member Senate and a 360-member House of Representatives, constitutes the
country’s legislative branch. Three senators represent each of Nigeria’s 36 states, and one
additional senator represents the capital city of Abuja. Seats in the House of Representatives are
allocated according to population. Therefore, the number of House members from each state
differs. Members of the National Assembly are elected to a maximum of two four-year terms.
The judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court,
and, on the state level, high courts, sharia courts, and customary courts. The president appoints
members of the Supreme Court, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Administrative Divisions

Nigeria has divided administratively into the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and 36 states,
which are organized into the following six geo-political zones: South-West Zone—Lagos, Ekiti,
Ogun, Ondo, Oshun, and Oyo; South-South Zone—Akwa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo,
Ibom, and Rivers; South-East Zone—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo; North-West
Zone—Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara; North-Central Zone—
Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, and Plateau; and North-East Zone—Adamawa, Bauchi,
Bornue, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe.

Provincial and Local Government

Each of Nigeria’s 36 states has an elected governor and a House of Assembly. The governor is
elected to a maximum of two four-year terms. The number of delegates to the House of
Assembly is based on population (three to four times the number of delegates each state sends to
the Federal House of Representatives) and therefore varies from state to state within the range of
24 to 40. Nigeria’s states are subdivided into 774 local government areas, each of which is
governed by a council that is responsible for supplying basic needs. The local government
councils, which are regarded as the third tier of government below the federal and state levels,
receive monthly subsidies from a national “federation account.” Critics contend that the division
of the country into so many districts is a vestige of military rule that is arbitrary, wasteful, and
inefficient.

Judicial and Legal System

Nigeria’s legal system is based on a combination of statutory (legislative) law, English common
law, customary law, and, in the north, Islamic law (sharia). Nigeria’s federal and state courts
apply statutory and English common law, whereas local courts recognize the legitimacy of
customary and Islamic law. The deficiencies in the existing legal and Criminal Justice systems
partially explain the popularity of Islamic law in the 12 northern states. Sharia is criticized for
the imposition of draconian penalties, although no death penalties have so far been carried out on
the basis of Sharia law.

Electoral System

The president and members of the bicameral National Assembly, consisting of a 109-member
Senate and a 360-member House of Representatives, are elected to a maximum of two four-year
terms. Universal suffrage at age 18 applies to all elections. Winning candidates are determined
according to the British first-past-the-post system, whereby a plurality of the votes ensures
victory. Also under this system, members of the National Assembly represent distinct geographic
constituencies. International observers and several Nigerian parties alleged procedural
improprieties in the most recent elections in 2007. The Independent National Electoral
Commission, which was responsible for administering the elections, was criticized for a lack of
transparency.

Mass Media

The government controls and regulates most of Nigeria’s broadcast media through the National
Broadcasting Commission. Radio is the most important mass medium for reaching general
audiences because it is inexpensive and does not require literacy. The federal government owns
stations affiliated with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, individual states control other
stations, and still others are privately owned. The Voice of Nigeria broadcasts in Arabic, English,
French, and five indigenous languages. Some Voice of Nigeria broadcasts are aimed at domestic
audiences; others, primarily shortwave, are transmitted around the globe. Similar to the market
for radio broadcasts, the federal government owns two stations affiliated with the National
Television Authority, various states have their own stations, and private operators broadcast by
satellite. Nigerians also obtain news via Voice of America, the British Broadcasting Company
(BBC), and Deutsche Welle. In contrast to the broadcast media, the print media are dominated by
private publications, a situation that is more amenable to criticism of the government. Nigeria
has 14 major daily newspapers, but only one—the New Nigerian—is government-owned. The
country also has six newsweeklies and various tabloids. The government does not restrict access
to the Internet, which is most widely available at cybercafés, and increasingly so in the
Workplaces and at Private homes.

Foreign Relations

Nigeria’s foreign policy revolves primarily around African affairs and emphasizes political and
economic cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution, and global nonalignment. Regionally, Nigeria
pursues tariff harmonization and the long-term goal of a customs union via the Economic
Community of the West African States, which was instrumental in founding. Nigeria is also
active in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which seeks to improve economic
conditions in Africa by eliminating trade barriers to exports and attracting investment and
development aid. Nigeria maintains excellent relations with its neighbors and has fully complied
with the 2002 decision of the International Court of Justice in favor of Cameroon over control of
the Bakassi Peninsula. Since mid-1998, Nigeria’s relations with the United States have improved
steadily in accordance with Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democracy. Nigeria has also
supported the United States-led war on terrorism. In March 2006, Ex Nigerian President
Olusegun Obasanjo met with President George W. Bush in Washington, DC, to discuss the U.S.-
Nigerian relationship. With a touch of drama immediately before the meeting, Nigeria turned
over the exiled former Liberian leader Charles Taylor to a United Nations court in Sierra Leone
to face allegations of war crimes. Nigeria is seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations
Security Council.

Membership in International Organizations

Nigeria belongs to the following international organizations: African, Caribbean, and Pacific
Group of States; African Development Bank; African Union; Commonwealth; Economic
Community of West African States; Food and Agriculture Organization; Group of 15; Group of
24; Group of 77; International Atomic Energy Agency; International Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (World Bank); International Chamber of Commerce; International Civil
Aviation Organization; International Confederation of Free Trade Unions; International Criminal
Court; International Criminal Police Organization; International Development Association;
International Finance Corporation; International Fund for Agricultural Development;
International Hydrographic Organization; International Labor Organization; International
Olympic Committee; International Maritime Organization; International Monetary Fund;
International Organization for Migration; International Organization for Standardization;
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; International Telecommunication Union;
Multilateral Investment Geographic Agency; Nonaligned Movement; Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; Organization of the Islamic Conference; Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries; Permanent Court of Arbitration; United Nations; Universal
Postal Union; World Customs Organization; World Federation of Trade Unions; World Health
Organization; World Intellectual Property Organization; World Meteorological Organization;
World Tourism Organization; and World Trade Organization.

Major International Treaties

Nigeria is a party to the following nonproliferation agreements: Biological Weapons Convention,

Chemical Weapons Convention, Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, and Partial Test Ban Treaty.
Regarding the environment, Nigeria is a party to the following agreements: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, and Wetlands.
Shortly after September 11, 2001, Nigeria ratified a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the
United States. The treaty, whose ratification had been held up for 12 years, includes provisions
for cooperation on anticrime, antidrug, and counter-terrorism initiatives.

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PEOPLE

1. Embassy of Nigeria Sweden

2. PEOPLE

People
Nigeria is made up of three large ethnic groups – the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo-who
represent 70 percent of the population. Another 10 percent comprises of several other groups
numbering more than 1 million members each, including the Kanuri, Tiv, and Ibibio. More than
300 smaller ethnic groups account for the remaining 20 percent of the population. However, the
similarity between these groups melts all the boundaries making them into a huge group. Most
Nigerians speak more than one language. The country’s official language English, is widely
spoken especially among educated people. Apart from English, 400 native Nigeria languages are
also spoken, out of which some are being threatened with extinction.

Nigeria happens to be the most populous country in Africa. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian
people comprise a population with the highest density in the world. People in Nigeria give great
importance to religion. 45% of the population is Christian, 45% Muslim and the remaining 10%
is a mixture of quite a few indigenous religions. However, as Nigerian culture is multi-ethnic,
there used to exist quite a few religions and deities.

The Nigerian people traditionally used to worship inanimate objects. Ancestral worship was also
largely practiced by many tribal groups in Nigeria. Among the numerous ethnic groups in
Nigeria are the Ibos or Igbos, Yorubas, and Hausa-Fulanis. The Yoruba people occupy mostly
the southern-western parts of Nigeria. The Ibo or Igbo group in the South-Eastern States of
Nigeria and the Hausa-Fulani in northern Nigeria.
The birth rate among the Nigerian people is about 43.26 per 1000 people, while the death rate is
12.01 per 1000 people. The life expectancy for the total population of the Nigerian people is
55.98 years, with 54.69 years for males and 57.3 years for females. The fertility rate is about
6.31 children born per woman. The population growth rate is 3.16%. Although ethnically
diverse, the unity among the Nigerian people is very unique.

In 2002, the estimated population of Nigeria was 129, 934,911, yielding an average density of
141 persons per sq km (364 per sq mi). During the last census in 1991, the population totaled
88.5 million. The accuracy of the 1991 census was however highly controversial like previous
censuses, notably the annulled 1962 and 1973 censuses and the hotly disputed 1963 census. This
was as a result of the fact that before the 1991 census, the number of registered voters indicated
that the Nigerian population was probably between 115 and 125 million – about 30 percent more
than indicated in the census.

With a birth rate of 39.2 per 1000 and a death rate of 14.1 per 1000, the Nigerian population is
growing at an average of 3 percent annually, a rapid pace, and little change from the 1970s. The
average Nigerian woman gives birth six times in her lifetime although, among more educated
women, the rate is somewhat lower. Nearly half of Nigerians are younger than 15 years. By 2025
the population is projected to grow to 204 million, almost double the current size.

The highest population densities are in the Igbo heartland in south-eastern Nigeria, despite poor
soils and heavy emigration. The intensively farmed zones around, including several major Hausa
cities, especially Kano, Sokoto, and Zaria in the north are also packed with people. Other areas
of high density include: Yorubaland in the south-west, the Central Jos Plateau, and the Tiv
homeland in Benue State in the South Central Region. Densities are relatively low in the dry
North-East and in most parts of the Middle-belt. Ecological factors including the prevalence of
diseases such as sleeping sickness, carried by the tsetse fly and historical factors, especially the
legacy of pre-colonial slave raiding, help to explain these low densities.

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Manage Consent

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information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or
unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features
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NIGERIAN ECONOMY

1. Embassy of Nigeria Sweden

2. NIGERIAN ECONOMY

Nigerian economy
Trade

Nigeria is the United States’ largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. This is largely due to
the high level of petroleum imports from Nigeria, which supply 8% of U.S. oil imports nearly
half of Nigeria’s daily oil production. Nigeria is also the fifth-largest exporter of oil to the United
States. In 2010, Nigeria ranked the 13th largest trading partner of the United States. Two-way
trade in that year was valued at more than $34 billion, a 51% increase over 2009, largely due to
the recovery in the international price of crude oil. The United States exported goods worth more
than $4 billion to Nigeria comprising cereals (wheat and rice), motor vehicles, petroleum
products, and machinery. Imports from Nigeria, in that same year were over $30 billion,
consisting predominantly of crude oil. Cocoa, bauxite and aluminum, tobacco and waxes, rubber,
and grains constituted about $73 million of U.S. imports from the country. The U.S. trade deficit
with Nigeria in 2010 was $26 billion.

The United States is Nigeria’s largest trading partner after the United Kingdom and is also the
largest foreign investor in Nigeria. Although the trade balance between these two countries
overwhelmingly favors Nigeria, thanks to oil exports, a large portion of U.S. exports to Nigeria
is believed to enter the country outside of the Nigerian Government’s official statistics, due to
importers seeking to avoid Nigeria’s tariffs and regulations. The stock of U.S. foreign direct
investment (FDI) in Nigeria in 2010 was $5.2 billion, down slightly from $5.4 billion in 2009.
U.S. FDI in Nigeria is concentrated largely in the petroleum/mining and wholesale trade sectors.
ExxonMobil and Chevron are the two largest U.S. corporate players in offshore oil and gas
production.

In March 2009, the United States and Nigeria met under the existing Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) to advance the ongoing work program and to discuss
improvements in the Nigerian trade policies and market access. Among the topics discussed were
cooperation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), market access, export diversification,
intellectual property protection and enforcement, commercial issues, trade capacity building and
technical assistance, infrastructure, and investment issues.

Dominated by Oil

The oil boom of the 1970s led Nigeria to neglect its strong agricultural and light manufacturing
bases in favor of an unhealthy dependence on crude oil. Oil and gas exports account for more
than 95% of export earnings and over 80% of federal government revenue. New oil wealth and
the concurrent decline of other economic sectors fueled massive migration to the cities and led to
increasingly widespread poverty, especially in rural areas. A collapse of basic infrastructure and
social services since the early 1980s accompanied this trend. By 2002 Nigeria’s per capita
income had plunged to about one-quarter of its mid-1970s high, below the level at independence.
Along with the endemic malaise of Nigeria’s non-oil sectors, the economy continues to witness
massive growth of “informal sector” economic activities, estimated by some to be as high as
75% of the total economy.

Nigeria’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be 36 billion barrels; natural gas reserves are well
over 100 trillion cubic feet. Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), and its current crude oil production averages around 1.6 million barrels per
day. Some factors that continuously plague the Nigerian oil sector are poor corporate relations
with indigenous communities, vandalism of oil infrastructure, severe ecological damage, and
personal security problems throughout the Niger Delta oil-producing region. Multinational oil
companies have launched their own community development programs in an attempt to improve
their relations with host communities. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was
created to help catalyze economic and social development in the region. However, it is widely
perceived to be ineffective and opaque. Significant exports of liquefied natural gas started in late
1999 and are slated to expand as Nigeria seeks to eliminate gas flaring.

Nigeria inspects all imports on arrival, rather than at ports of origin. As a result, about 95% of
containers are physically examined. This procedure, along with Nigeria’s uneven application of
import and labeling regulations and poor infrastructure, complicates the movement of goods
through Nigeria’s notoriously congested ports and increases the cost of doing business. The
government is promoting foreign investments and encouraging reforms in these and other areas,
but the investment climate remains daunting to all but the most determined.
Agriculture has suffered from years of mismanagement, inconsistent and poorly conceived
government policies, and the lack of basic infrastructure. Notwithstanding, the sector accounts
for about 40% of GDP and two-thirds of employment. Agriculture provides a significant fraction
(approximately 10%) of non-oil growth. Poultry and cocoa are just two areas where production is
not keeping pace with domestic or international demand. Fisheries also have great potential but
are poorly managed. Nigeria’s land tenure system does not encourage long-term investment in
technology or modern production methods and does not inspire the availability of rural credit,
however critical for the country’s future.

Oil dependency, and the allure it generated of great wealth through government contracts,
spawned other economic distortions. The country’s high propensity to import means roughly
80% of government expenditures is recycled into foreign exchange. Cheap consumer imports,
resulting from an overvalued Naira coupled with excessively high domestic production costs due
in part to erratic electricity and fuel supply, have pushed down industrial capacity utilization to
less than 30%. Many more Nigerian factories would have closed except for relatively low labor
costs (10%-15%). Domestic manufacturers, especially pharmaceuticals and textiles, have lost
their ability to compete in traditional regional markets. However, there are signs that some
manufacturers have begun to address their competitiveness.

Arguably Nigeria’s biggest macroeconomic achievement has been the sharp reduction in its
external debt, which declined from 36% of GDP in 2004 to less than 4% of GDP in 2007. In
October 2005, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved its first-ever Policy Support
Instrument for Nigeria. In December 2005, the United States and seven other Paris Club nations
signed debt reduction agreements with Nigeria for $18 billion in debt reduction, with the proviso
that Nigeria paid back its remaining $12 billion in debt by March 2006. The United States was
one of the smaller creditors and received about $356 million from Nigeria in return for over $600
million of debt reduction. Merrill Lynch won the right to take on $509 million of Nigeria’s
promissory debt (accrued since 1984) to the “London Club” of private creditors. This
arrangement saved Nigeria about $34 million over a simple prepayment of the notes. Nigeria
faces intense pressure to accept multibillion-dollar loans for railroads, power plants, roads, and
other infrastructure. Expanded government spending also has led to upward pressure on
consumer prices. However, a drop in world oil prices and the global financial crisis prompted the
federal government to tap its foreign exchange reserves, which consequently decreased from $60
billion to $48 billion, in order to meet pressing budget demands from cash-strapped state and
local governmental bodies.

In 2009, Nigeria took significant steps to strengthen the banking sector. After completing
financial audits of all 24 national banks, the Central Bank found 10 of the banks to be
undercapitalized or suffering from illiquidity. The Central Bank replaced many of the failing
banks’ management teams and pumped nearly $6 billion into the sector. In addition, the Central
Bank published the names of significant loan defaulters, which included many prominent
political and business figures. These reforms came on top of a major banking overhaul in 2006
that reduced the number of banks from 89 to 24, increased a bank’s minimal capital requirement
to $190 million, and required banks to hold 40% of their deposits in liquid assets. Retail,
corporate, and Internet banking are seen as intensively competitive, and the home loan market is
considered moderately competitive. Less than 10% of lending is believed to be made to
individuals. About 65% of the economically active population is serviced by the informal
financial sector, e.g., microfinance institutions, moneylenders, friends, relatives, and credit
unions. Since 1999, the Nigerian Stock Exchange has enjoyed strong performance, although
equity as a means to foster corporate growth remains underutilized by Nigeria’s private sector.
Credit is largely inaccessible to rural communities, the real estate sector and small businesses
receive a low level of lending, and the credit card market remains at an early stage of
development.

Nigeria’s publicly owned transportation infrastructure is a major constraint to economic

development. Principal ports are at Lagos (Apapa and Tin Can Island), Port Harcourt, and
Calabar. Docking fees for freighters are among the highest in the world. Of the 80,500
kilometers (50,000 mi.) of roads, more than 15,000 kilometers (10,000 mi.) are officially paved,
but many remain in poor shape. Extensive road repairs and new construction activities are
gradually being implemented as state governments, in particular, spend their portions of
enhanced government revenue allocations. The government implementation of 100% destination
inspection of all goods entering Nigeria has resulted in long delays in clearing goods for
importers and created new sources of corruption since the ports lack adequate facilities to carry
out the inspection. Four of Nigeria’s airports-Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Abuja–currently
receive international flights. There are several domestic private Nigerian carriers, and air service
among Nigeria’s cities is generally dependable. The maintenance culture of Nigeria’s domestic
airlines is not up to international standards.

Gradual reform

Nigeria has made progress toward establishing a market-based economy. In recent years, it
privatized the only government-owned petrochemical company and sold its interest in eight oil
service companies. The Yar’Adua administration paid especially close attention to due process
by overturning or reviewing a number of suspect contracts awarded by its predecessor. Nigeria’s
implementation of non-tariff barriers has been arbitrary and uneven and continues to violate
WTO prohibitions against trade bans. However, Nigeria has made some progress in its
implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common
External Tariff by removing some textile items from its list of prohibited imports in 2006. In a
September 2008 breakthrough, Nigeria decreased the number of banned import categories from
44 to 26 items, reduced the number of tariffs, and reiterated its commitment to harmonizing its
tariff regime with its neighbors. Enforcement of criminal penalties against intellectual property
rights (IPR) violations is weak, and firms that are successfully countering IPR piracy have
generally done so through civil court cases. The government has created an intellectual property
commission. Rules concerning sanitary and phytosanitary standards, testing, and labeling are
well defined, but bureaucratic hurdles slow trade opportunities. The government is generally
supportive of biotechnological cooperations, although legislation governing bio-safety is sparse
at best.

A co-member of the International Advisory Group of the Extractive Industries Transparency

Initiative (EITI) initiated by the G8, Nigeria’s federal government is playing an important role in
having volunteered to pilot the new disclosure and validation methodologies. It has completed a
comprehensive audit of oil sector payments and government revenues from 1999-2004. The
federal government has passed implementing legislation on public procurement and fiscal
transparency, but now it must ensure that Nigeria’s 36 states pass and implement similar bills.
There is a perception that government contracting remains rife with corruption and kickbacks,
and that many state and local officials continue to steal public monies outright.

Nigeria’s economic team had enjoyed an excellent reputation in the international community. It
produced an encouraging body of work, notably budgets described as “prudent and responsible”
by the IMF and a detailed economic reform blueprint, the National Economic Empowerment,
and Development Strategy (NEEDS). Other positive developments include (1) government
efforts to deregulate fuel prices; (2) Nigeria’s participation in the EITI and commitment to the
G8 Anticorruption/Transparency Initiative; (3) creation of what had been an effective Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which until 2008 had earned 150 convictions and
recovered over $5 billion in mishandled funds; and (4) development of several governmental
offices to better monitor official revenues and expenditures.

Nigeria is not on track to meet its Millennium Development Goals because of a lack of policy
coordination between the federal, state, and local governments. In addition, this is also a result of
a lack of funding commitments at the state and local levels; and a lack of available staff to
implement and monitor projects on health, poverty, and education.

Potential Investors wanting to do business in Nigeria or with

Nigerians should clarify from the embassy about the veracity
of such deals in order to prevent further occurrences of the
incidence of fraud.

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