Nigeria
Federal Republic of Nigeria
federal republicIndependence 1 October 1960 (from the UK)
Nigeria as the 2015 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 168 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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 and the elections of 2011 were generally regarded as credible. In January 2014, Nigeria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2014-15 term.
Geography
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
20 fieldsTerrain
southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land
Land use
- agricultural land:
- 78%;
- arable land 37.3%;
- permanent crops 7.4%;
- permanent pasture 33.3%
- forest:
- 9.5%
- other:
- 12.5% (2011 est.)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 13.11 cu km/yr (31%/15%/54%)
- per capita:
- 89.21 cu m/yr (2005)
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 River 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
34 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2015 est.)
Note
Per 1,000 population(2015 est.)
Male · female
Ethnic groups
- Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups;
- the most populous and politically influential are:
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years:
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years:
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 0.95 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.91 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.04 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases
- degree of risk:
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases:
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne diseases:
- malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
- water contact diseases:
- leptospirosis and schistosomiasis
- respiratory disease:
- meningococcal meningitis
- aerosolized dust or soil contact disease:
- one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever
- 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 (2013)
Government
Federal republic; President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); President Maj.Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015)
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Senate, 360 seats, elected 28-29 March 2015seats by party
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, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
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
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
- head of government:
- President Maj.Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015)
- cabinet:
- Federal Executive Council appointed by the president
- elections/appointments:
- president directly elected by 'qualified' majority popular vote and at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states;
- president elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term);
- election last held on 28-29 March 2015 (next to be held in February 2019)
- election results:
- Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (CPC) 53%, Goodluck JONATHAN (PDP) 46%
Legislative branch
- description:
- bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats - 3 each for the 36 states and 1 for Abuja; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Representatives (360 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
- elections:
- Senate - last held on 28-29 March 2015 (next to be held in February 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 28-29 March 2015 (next to be held in 2019)
- election results:
- Senate - percent of vote by party - NA;
- seats by party - All Progressive Congress 60, PDP 49;
- House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA;
- seats by party - All Progressive Congress 225, PDP 125, other 10
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 15 justices)
- judge selection and term of office:
- judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a 23-member independent body of federal and state judicial officials;
- judge appointments confirmed by the Senate;
- judges serve until age 65
- subordinate courts:
- Court of Appeal;
- Federal High Court;
- High Court of the Federal Capital Territory;
- Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory;
- Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory;
- state court system similar in structure to federal system
Political parties and leaders
- Accord Party or ACC [Mohammad Lawal MALADO]
- Action Congress of Nigeria or ACN [Adebisi Bamidele AKANDE]
- All Nigeria Peoples Party or ANPP [Ogbonnaya C. ONU]
- All Progressives Congress [Adebisi Bamidele AKANDE, acting]
- All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor C. UMEH]
- Congress for Progressive Change or CPC [Tony MOMOH]
- Democratic Peoples Party or DPP [Biodun OGUNBIYI]
- Labor Party or LP [Chief Dan NWANYANWU]
- Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Adamu MU'AZU]
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; Universal Defenders of Democracy or UDD; other: the press
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, D-8, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, 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 (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Adebowale Ibidapo ADEFUYE (since 26 March 2010)
- chancery:
- 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 986-8400
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 362-6541
- consulate(s) general:
- Atlanta, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador James F. ENTWISTLE (since 26 November 2013)
- embassy:
- Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
- mailing address:
- P. O. Box 5760, Garki, Abuja
- telephone:
- [234] (9) 461-4000
- FAX:
- [234] (9) 461-4171
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 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; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest
Economy
Following an April 2014 statistical "rebasing" exercise, Nigeria has emerged as Africa's largest economy, with 2014 GDP estimated at US$479 billion.
41 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2014 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
Economy - overview
Following an April 2014 statistical "rebasing" exercise, Nigeria has emerged as Africa's largest economy, with 2014 GDP estimated at US$479 billion. Oil has been a dominant source of government revenues since the 1970s. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production contracted in 2012 and 2013.
Nevertheless, the Nigerian economy has continued to grow at a rapid 6%-8% per annum (pre-rebasing), driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services, and the medium-term outlook for Nigeria is good, assuming oil output stabilizes and oil prices remain strong. Fiscal authorities pursued countercyclical policies in 2011-13, significantly reducing the budget deficit.
Monetary policy has also been contractionary. Following the 2008-9 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively recapitalized and regulation enhanced. Despite its strong fundamentals, oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, delays in the passage of legislative reforms, an inefficient property registration system, restrictive trade policies, an inconsistent regulatory environment, a slow and ineffective judicial system, unreliable dispute resolution mechanisms, insecurity, and pervasive corruption.
Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline in poverty levels - over 62% of Nigeria's 170 million people live in extreme poverty. President JONATHAN has established an economic team that includes experienced and reputable members and has announced plans to increase transparency, continue to diversify production, and further improve fiscal management. The government is working to develop stronger public-private partnerships for roads, agriculture, and power.
Gross national saving
17.4% of GDP (2014 est.) · 18.6% of GDP (2013 est.) · 19.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Agriculture - products
- cocoa, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (manioc, 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
Distribution of family income - Gini index
43.7 (2003) · 50.6 (1997) country comparison to the world: 47
Central bank discount rate
4.25% (31 December 2010) · 6% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 89
Commercial bank prime lending rate
17% (31 December 2014 est.) · 16.72% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Stock of narrow money
$45.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $44.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Stock of broad money
$108.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $99.64 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Stock of domestic credit
$119.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $109.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Current account balance
$12.67 billion (2014 est.) · $21.85 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Imports - commodities
machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$37.44 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $45.66 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Debt - external
$22.01 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $18.63 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$81.72 billion (31 December 2013 est.) · $76.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$10.87 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $9.113 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Exchange rates
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 157.3 (2014 est.) · 157.31 (2013 est.) · 156.81 (2012 est.) · 154.7 (2011 est.) · 150.3 (2010 est.)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 5.9 million kW(2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
37.14 billion bbl (1 January 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - proved reserves
5.118 trillion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
86.4 million Mt (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Communications
8 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2014 est.)
Telephone system
- general assessment:
- further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed; network quality remains a problem
- domestic:
- the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002 resulted in faster growth, but subscribership remains only about 1 per 100 persons;
- mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network;
- multiple cellular providers operate nationally with subscribership base approaching 60 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 234;
- landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia;
- satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2010)
Broadcast media
- nearly 70 federal government-controlled national and regional TV stations;
- all 36 states operate TV stations;
- several private TV stations operational;
- cable and satellite TV subscription services are available;
- network of federal government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations;
- roughly 40 state government-owned radio stations typically carry their own programs except for news broadcasts;
- about 20 private radio stations;
- transmissions of international broadcasters are available (2007)
Television broadcast stations
3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2001)
Transportation
11 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right
Networkskm
Pipelines
- condensate 124 km;
- gas 4,045 km;
- liquid petroleum gas 164 km;
- oil 4,441 km;
- refined products 3,940 km (2013)
Railways
- total:
- 3,798 km
- standard gauge:
- 293 km 1.435-m gauge
- narrow gauge:
- 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 50
Waterways
8,600 km (Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2011) country comparison to the world: 15
Merchant marine
- total:
- 89
- by type:
- cargo 2, chemical tanker 28, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 56, specialized tanker 1
- foreign-owned:
- 3 (India 1, UK 2)
- registered in other countries:
- 33 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 11, Comoros 1, Italy 1, Liberia 4, North Korea 1, Panama 6, Seychelles 1, unknown 6) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 54
Ports and terminals
- major seaport(s):
- Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos
- LNG terminal(s) (export):
- Bonny Island
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 of ships;
- in 2012, 27 commercial vessels were boarded or attacked compared with 10 attacks in 2011;
- crews were robbed and stores or cargoes stolen;
- Nigerian pirates have extended the range of their attacks to as far away as Cote d'Ivoire
Military
Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2013)
6 fieldsMilitary service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 37,087,711
- females age 16-49:
- 35,232,127 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
3 fieldsDisputes - 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 phaseout 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
IDPs: 1,538,982 (Boko Haram attacks and counterinsurgency efforts in northern Nigeria; communal violence between Christians and Muslims in the middle belt region, political violence; flooding; forced evictions; cattle rustling; competition for resources) (2015)
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
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Nigeria.” The World Factbook 2015. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/nigeria/2015.