Nigeria

Page 1: The Changing Economic World: Nigeria

Overview

  • Nigeria is a West African country that has developed into an emerging economy.

  • Significant global influence as:

    • Highest GDP in Africa and 27th largest worldwide.

    • Major oil supplier with considerable political influence.

    • 7th largest population globally, with 200 million people.

Culture and Society

  • Home to the second largest film industry globally (Nollywood).

  • Social diversity with numerous ethnic groups and religions due to historical tribes and British colonial rule.

  • Contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, notably in Liberia.

  • Issues with government corruption leading to public distrust.

  • Approximately 70% of the population engaged in agriculture, indicating reliance on farming.

  • Diverse landscapes support various crops and living conditions.

Page 2: Nigeria’s Environment & Lifestyles

Economic Conditions

  • Wealth has risen over the past century, but a recent recession has caused unemployment and slow quality of life improvements.

Quality of Life Indicators

  • Life Expectancy: 54 years (world average is 73 years).

  • Literacy Rates: 65.1%, particularly low for girls; only one in three children attend school.

  • Human Development Index: Ranked 158 out of 188 countries due to low life expectancy and wealth inequality.

Industry Overview

  • Agriculture sector employs most workers, commonly engaged in subsistence farming.

  • Unusual for a developing country, as most farmers do not profit significantly.

  • Dominant manufacturing mainly revolves around oil processing.

Transnational Corporations (TNCs)

  • Major TNCs include foreign oil companies (e.g., Total, Exxon-Mobil) and Nigeria's own Transcorp.

  • Positive impacts of TNCs:

    • New job creation and technology exchange.

  • Negative consequences:

    • Oil spills damage environments and public health.

    • Fossil fuel use contributes to global warming, impacting weather and regional conditions.

Page 3: Aid and Support Initiatives

NGO Campaigns

  • Various NGOs are active in Nigeria to enhance health and quality of life due to wealth being concentrated with oil companies.

Key Initiatives

  • Christian Aid

    • Supporting displaced individuals due to violence in Northern Nigeria.

    • Providing medical treatment for children under 5 for malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.

  • Action Aid

    • Promoting girls' education by building sanitation facilities.

    • Delivering food parcels to families struggling with food security due to COVID-19.

    • Advocating for TNCs to pay taxes, enabling government investment in local communities.