| Overview |
Facts |
Leaders |
Media
Nigeria gained independence from Britain in October 1 1960. She became a
federal republice in 1963.
Thousands of people have died over
the past few years in communal rivalry. Separatist aspirations have
been growing, prompting reminders of the bitter civil war over the
breakaway Biafran republic in the late 1960s.
- Politics: People's Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated since the
return to civilian rule in 1999. President Yar'Adua is under pressure to fulfil promises to fight corruption.
- Economy: Nigeria is Africa's leading
oil producer; more than half of its people live in poverty
- International: Nigeria plays a prominent
role in African affairs; has withdrawn troops from oil-rich Bakassi
peninsula to settle border dispute with Cameroon
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The imposition of Islamic law in several states has embedded divisions
and caused thousands of Christians to flee. Inter-faith violence
is said to be rooted in poverty, unemployment and the competition
for land.
The government is striving to boost the economy, which experienced
an oil boom in the 1970s and is once again benefiting from high prices
on the world market. But progress has been undermined by corruption
and mismanagement.
The former British colony is one of the world's largest oil producers,
but the industry has produced unwanted side effects.
The trade in stolen oil has fuelled violence and corruption in the
Niger delta - the home of the industry. Few Nigerians, including
those in oil-producing areas, have benefited from the oil wealth.
Nigeria is keen to attract foreign investment but is hindered in
this quest by security concerns as well as by a shaky infrastructure
troubled by power cuts.
FACTS
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Facts |
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Media
Full name: The Federal Republic of Nigeria Population: 151.5 million (UN, 2008) Capital: Abuja Largest city: Lagos Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles) Major languages: English (official), Yoruba,
Ibo, Hausa Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous
beliefs Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 47 years (women)
(UN) Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products,
cocoa, rubber GNI per capita: US $930 (World Bank, 2007) Internet domain: .ng International dialling code: +234
LEADERS
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Facts
| Leaders |
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President: Umaru Yar'Adua
Umaru Yar'Adua of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the presidency
following the April 2007.
He had served as governor of the remote northern Katsina state since May
1999. A little-known figure in national politics, he was chosen by outgoing
President Olusegun Obasanjo as his successor.
He comes from a prominent political family. His father was a minister in
the first government after independence and his late elder brother was an
army general who served as deputy to President Olusegun Obasanjo when he
was Nigeria's military ruler during the 1970s.
When he was elected governor of Katsina in 1999, he immediately declared
his assets. In his bid for the presidency he promised to fight corruption.
He was born in 1951 and was a chemistry teacher until he went into business,
then politics, in the 1980s.
Mr Yar'Adua took over from Olusegun Obasanjo, whose election in 1999 came
at the end of a period of military rule. Mr Obasanjo won a second term in
2003. A bid to keep him in office for a third term was blocked by parliament.
Mr Obasanjo began his first leadership stint in 1976 after the assassination
of Brigadier Murtala Mohamed in a failed coup. In 1979 he earned the distinction
of becoming Africa's first modern military leader to hand over power to
civilian rule.
MEDIA
Overview |
Facts |
Leaders | Media |
Nigeria's media scene is one of the most vibrant in Africa. State-run
radio and TV services reach virtually all parts of the country and operate
at a federal and regional level. All 36 states run their own radio stations,
and most of them operate TV services.
A lively press includes influential
dailes and popular tabloids
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Radio is the key source of information for many Nigerians. International
broadcasters, including the BBC, are widely listened to. Rebroadcasts
of foreign radio stations were banned in 2004.
Private radio and TV stations have been licensed, and there is substantial
take-up of pay TV.
Private TV stations in particular are dogged by high costs and scarce
advertising revenues. Moreover, legislation requires that locally-made
material must comprise 60% of output. Viewing is concentrated in urban
areas.
There are more than 100 national and local newspapers and publications,
some of them state-owned. They include well-respected dailies, tabloids
and publications which champion the interests of ethnic groups. The lively
private press is often critical of the government.
Press freedom improved under former President Obasanjo, but restrictive
decrees remain.
Media rights body Reporters Without Borders says Nigeria is often a
violent place for the press, with journalists suffering beatings, unfair
arrests and police raids.
By March 2008, 10 million Nigerians were online (ITU figure).
The Press
The Guardian - influential, privately-owned national daily The Champion - Lagos-based daily The Daily Times - Lagos-based government daily The Punch - privately-owned daily -
New Nigerian - government daily, separate editions in Lagos and
Kaduna
The Daily Independent - Lagos State-based daily Daily Trust - Abuja-based daily Leadership - Abuja-based daily The Comet - private, daily Vanguard - Lagos-based, widely-read daily This Day - widely-read Lagos-based daily The Daily Sun - Lagos-based Newswatch - weekly news magazine Tell - weekly news magazine
Television
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) - state-run, operates scores
of national and regional stations; national services broadcast
in English Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN) - private AIT - private, owned by DAAR
Communications, broadcasting in Lagos and Abuja and via pan-African satellite
service Minaj TV - private,
serves eastern Nigeria and operates cable and satellite service Silverbird TV - private, serves Lagos, Port Harcourt Galaxy TV - private, serves western Nigeria Channels TV - private
Radio
Federal Radio
Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) - state-run, operates "Radio
Nigeria" stations in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu Voice of Nigeria - external service, via shortwave Gateway Radio Nigeria - state-run, based in Abeokuta, Ogun State Ray Power - private, owned by
DAAR Communications, runs music-based and speech-based FM stations Freedom Radio - private, based in northern city of Kano News Agency
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