Nigeria is a large country located in West Africa with a population of around 198 million people. The economy of Nigeria is largely dependent on oil, natural gas and agriculture with its GDP per capita estimated at US$2,688 in 2017. In terms of foreign relations, Nigeria has strong ties to other countries in the region such as Ghana and Cameroon as well as other countries around the world. It is also a member of the United Nations, African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In terms of politics, Nigeria has a multi-party system which includes two major parties: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). The Parliament consists of 360 members who are elected by popular vote every four years. In 2017, APC won the majority in parliamentary elections under President Muhammadu Buhari’s leadership. See militarynous for Nigeria military and defense.
Yearbook 2017
Nigeria. The extremist Muslim movement Boko Haram continued its wave of violence with a series of attacks against mosques, markets and military convoys. Among the deaths, for example, was a suicide attack in November against a mosque in the city of Mubi in the state of Adamawa. At least 50 people were killed when a teen triggered an explosive charge. Boko Haram was accused of increasingly exploiting children and women as suicide bombers. See ABBREVIATIONFINDER for frequently used acronyms and abbreviations related to as well as country profile of Nigeria.
According to Countryaah.com, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government claims that the attacks were evidence of desperation from a crowded Boko Haram. The uncertainty continued to drive people into flight, creating food supply problems. The UN warned during the year that famine was threatened in parts of northeastern Nigeria. Nigeria’s air force killed at least 100 people in January when a refugee camp in the state of Borno was accidentally bombed.
In Norway, a large donor conference was held in February, where approximately SEK 6 billion was pledged in emergency aid to avert threats of famine in Nigeria and its neighboring countries around Lake Chad where Boko Haram spread terror.
In October, 45 alleged members of Boko Haram were sentenced to prison sentences following a mass trial in which over 2,000 people were facing trial. The process has been criticized for being insecure and kept behind closed doors at military deployments in northern and central Nigeria. Just over 460 were released.
Buhari’s health caused concern during the year. He was cared for in London for two periods and was out of the country for several months. He returned on August 19 after his last treatment, but it is not known what he was treated for. Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo served, who in February gained momentum with ethnic and political leaders in the southern parts of the country that are important to the oil industry. Fewer attacks on oil pipelines have benefited production.
In September, NBS reported that the economy was showing a small growth during the second quarter and that the country was no longer in recession. Growth continued during the third quarter and was expected to be 2% in 2018. The recovery was linked to increased oil exports and better access to foreign currency. The government’s budget for 2018 suggested increased investments in roads, railways, ports and electricity generation to stimulate the economy. In December, Nigeria joined production cuts agreed by the oil cartel OPEC and other oil exporters for the purpose of raising prices. In the past, Nigeria has had an exception.
On his return from London in August, Buhari ruled that Nigeria would not split. The statement was made shortly after the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Biafra war and was seen as a signal to separatists in the southeastern part of the country. In September, the military fought against separatists and criticism was directed at its progress. The IPOB movement (Biafra’s indigenous population) was declared a terrorist movement.
During the year, fatal clashes were also reported in several states between livestock and agricultural groups, competing for increasingly scarce land and water resources.
In April and June 90 coup attempts were reported, but in both cases they were turned down by government forces. The government created 9 new states to separate hostile ethnic groups. This triggered protests turned down by the military. Acc. Independent sources cost the repression of August-October 300. The government responded by imposing curfew.
At the end of 91, after rumors of electoral fraud, the government canceled the results of the party’s internal election of candidates for the governor posts. In November, a census was conducted removing the “ghost candidates” and clearing the electoral rolls. There had been criticism that the lists contained 20 million non-existent voters. On December 14, governor elections were held. Social Democracy won the post in 16 states and Republicans in 14.
An amnesty was carried out for the benefit of the entire opposition: 11 dissidents were released. At the same time, a law was repealed that had prevented former members of government from running for election.
In early 92, 263 Islamic activists were arrested, sparking a riot in the state of Katsina. During the same period, an explosion took place in the conflicts between the ethnic groups: fighting between Hausa and Kataj in the state of Kaduna; Disputes over land boundaries between thieves and jukins in the state of Taraba. Conflicts that cost 5,000 lives.
Nigeria, at the end of 91, regained its place of jurisdiction in the International Court of Justice. This happened after a decision by the Security Council and the UN General Assembly following the death of former Nigerian judge Taslim Elias. Nigeria’s state prosecutor and Justice Minister Ola Ajibola got the post in front of candidates from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda.
The EU has allocated $ 240 million to projects in agriculture, health, telecommunications, road construction and national parks.
The parliamentary elections were held in July 92, but the National Assembly was first convened in December. The Social Democracy gained 52 seats in the Senate and 314 in the House of Representatives against Republicans respectively. 37 and 275. Nigeria now initiated a new transition to civilian rule.