Nigeria

At nearly twice the size of California and with a population of approximately 140 million, ( 2006 census), Nigeria lies in Western Africa between Benin and Cameroon on the Gulf of Guinea. Due to the excessive mortality rate of AIDS in the country, the life expectancy of Nigerians has dropped in the past year from 46.7 to 43 yearsof age.

Nigerian News

Map of Nigeria in the Continent of Africa

Map of the country of Nigeria

As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria is composed of more that 250 ethnic groups represented by the following religious make up; 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, and 10% indigenous beliefs.

Nigeria enjoys natural resources of natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, and arable land. At the same time, the country is attempting to come to grips with a number of environmental issues that include: 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, and rapid urbanization.

Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The current administration faces the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the administration must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability. Nigeria faces an election in May 2007.

Economic Overview
Oil-rich Nigeria, has been long hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management. As Africa's most poplulated country, Nigeria was once a large net exporter of food, but now must import food. (Utomi, 2006). To read more. Economy

Links to information about Nigeria and the HIV/AIDS crisis and Orphaned Children's crisis:
AVERT - NIGERIA
An international HIV and AIDS charity based in the UK, with the aim of AVERTing HIV and AIDS worldwide.