Nigeria |
|
| OVERVIEW |
| |
| Background |
Following nearly 16 years of military
rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful
transition to civilian government was completed. The president
faces the daunting task of rebuilding a petroleum-based economy,
whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement,
and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the OBASANJO
administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious
tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic
growth and political stability. Despite some irregularities
the April 2003 elections marked the first civilian transfer
of power in Nigeria's history. |
| Natural
resources |
natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron
ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land |
| Land
use |
arable land: 30.96%
permanent crops: 2.79%
other: 66.25% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
133,881,703
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 and death
rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the
distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise
be expected (July 2003 est.) |
| Ethnic
groups |
Nigeria, which is 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% |
| Religions |
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs
10% |
| Languages |
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo),
Fulani |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68%
male: 75.7%
female: 60.6% (2003 est.) |
| Capital |
Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital
was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most federal
government offices have now made the move to Abuja |
| Government
type |
republic transitioning from military to civilian
rule |
| Independence |
1 October 1960 (from UK) |
| National
holiday |
Independence Day (National Day), 1 October
(1960) |
|
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