Nigeria

Location of Nigeria

West Africa; bordering Benin; Niger; Chad; and Cameroon

Global importance

Nigeria has the largest GDP in Africa and is one of the world's biggest oil exporters

Population size

Approximately 200 million people; making it the 7th largest population in the world

Classification of economy

Newly Emerging Economy (NEE)

Cultural importance

Home to 'Nollywood' which is the second largest film industry in the world

Political history

Gained independence from the UK in 1960

Government status

Known to be corrupt with many officials taking bribes; leading to a loss of public trust

Human Development Index (HDI) rank

158 out of 188 countries

Life expectancy

54 years; which is 19 years less than the global average

Role of Transnational Corporations (TNCs)

Companies like Shell; Total; and Exxon-Mobil are major players in the oil industry

Economic benefits of TNCs

Shell provides direct employment for 65

Negative impacts of TNCs

Oil spills in the Niger Delta have damaged ecosystems and harmed the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen

Economic shift

Moving from a primary-based economy (agriculture) to a more balanced one with growth in manufacturing and services

Environmental impact - Deforestation

70-80% of Nigeria's forests have been cleared; leading to soil erosion and loss of habitats

Environmental impact - Pollution

Industrial chimneys in cities like Lagos emit poisonous gases; and waste disposal is a major issue in Abuja

Role of International Aid

NGOs like Christian Aid and Action Aid provide medical treatment and support for education

Social challenges

60% of Nigerians still live in poverty on less than $1.25 a day despite economic growth