Lauren Ploch
Analyst in African Affairs
Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of oil and its largest democracy, is one of the U.S. government’s key strategic partners on the continent. It is Africa’s most populous country, with over 150 million people, roughly half Muslim and half Christian, and its second largest economy. Diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which is regularly the fourth or fifth largest oil exporter to the United States, are strong, and the country is a major recipient of U.S. foreign assistance. After 16 years of military rule, Nigeria made the transition to civilian governance in 1999, and the country subsequently emerged as a powerful actor in African politics. The government has helped to resolve political disputes in several African countries, and the country ranks 4th among troop contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions around the world.
Nigeria faces serious social and economic challenges, however, that some analysts contend threaten both the stability of the state and the region, and which may affect global oil markets. The country today is relatively stable ,but it has faced intermittent political turmoil and economic crises since gaining independence in 1960. Political life has been scarred by conflict along both ethnic, religious, and geographic lines and misrule has undermined the authority and legitimacy of the state. Nigeria’s oil and natural gas revenues are estimated at over $60 billion per year, but its human development indicators are among the world’s lowest, and a majority of the population suffer from extreme poverty. The Nigerian government relies on the oil sector for over 85% of revenues. By some estimates, Nigeria could rank among the world’s top five exporters of oil within a few years, but social unrest, criminality, and corruption in the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta region have cut output by one-fifth since 2006.
Intercommunal conflicts in parts of the country are common. Resentment between the northern and southern regions of the country, and among communities in the central region, has led periodically to considerable unrest and population displacement. Thousands have been killed and many more wounded in periodic ethno-religious clashes in the past decade. The attempted terror attack on an American airliner by a Nigerian passenger on December 25, 2009, and the recent resurgence of militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, has heightened concerns regarding the possible radicalization of African Muslims. A series of recent bombings led the government to adopt new anti-terrorism measures in early 2011.
Nigeria’s April 2011 elections are seen by many as a critical test of the government’s commitment to democracy. The State Department referred to the last elections, in 2007, as deeply flawed, and some contend that Nigeria, which was ruled by the military until 1999 has not held a free and fair general election since the return to civilian rule. Perceived ethnic and religious differences have been politicized by political elites. The potential for political violence to mar the elections is significant and could further compound other security challenges. Credible elections, on the other hand, could confer the legitimacy the government needs to pass reforms deemed critical to addressing corruption and other development challenges.
The Obama Administration has been supportive of the Nigerian government’s recent reform initiatives, including anti-corruption efforts, economic and electoral reforms, energy sector privatization, and programs to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta. In 2010, the Administration established a U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, a strategic dialogue to address these and other issues of mutual concern. Congress regularly monitors political developments in Nigeria and has consistently expressed concerns with corruption and human rights abuses. Congress also provides oversight for over $600 million in U.S. foreign assistance programs.
Date of Report: April 1, 2011
Number of Pages: 33
Order Number: RL33964
Price: $29.95
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Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Analyst in African Affairs
Nigeria, Africa’s largest producer of oil and its largest democracy, is one of the U.S. government’s key strategic partners on the continent. It is Africa’s most populous country, with over 150 million people, roughly half Muslim and half Christian, and its second largest economy. Diplomatic relations with Nigeria, which is regularly the fourth or fifth largest oil exporter to the United States, are strong, and the country is a major recipient of U.S. foreign assistance. After 16 years of military rule, Nigeria made the transition to civilian governance in 1999, and the country subsequently emerged as a powerful actor in African politics. The government has helped to resolve political disputes in several African countries, and the country ranks 4th among troop contributors to U.N. peacekeeping missions around the world.
Nigeria faces serious social and economic challenges, however, that some analysts contend threaten both the stability of the state and the region, and which may affect global oil markets. The country today is relatively stable ,but it has faced intermittent political turmoil and economic crises since gaining independence in 1960. Political life has been scarred by conflict along both ethnic, religious, and geographic lines and misrule has undermined the authority and legitimacy of the state. Nigeria’s oil and natural gas revenues are estimated at over $60 billion per year, but its human development indicators are among the world’s lowest, and a majority of the population suffer from extreme poverty. The Nigerian government relies on the oil sector for over 85% of revenues. By some estimates, Nigeria could rank among the world’s top five exporters of oil within a few years, but social unrest, criminality, and corruption in the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta region have cut output by one-fifth since 2006.
Intercommunal conflicts in parts of the country are common. Resentment between the northern and southern regions of the country, and among communities in the central region, has led periodically to considerable unrest and population displacement. Thousands have been killed and many more wounded in periodic ethno-religious clashes in the past decade. The attempted terror attack on an American airliner by a Nigerian passenger on December 25, 2009, and the recent resurgence of militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, has heightened concerns regarding the possible radicalization of African Muslims. A series of recent bombings led the government to adopt new anti-terrorism measures in early 2011.
Nigeria’s April 2011 elections are seen by many as a critical test of the government’s commitment to democracy. The State Department referred to the last elections, in 2007, as deeply flawed, and some contend that Nigeria, which was ruled by the military until 1999 has not held a free and fair general election since the return to civilian rule. Perceived ethnic and religious differences have been politicized by political elites. The potential for political violence to mar the elections is significant and could further compound other security challenges. Credible elections, on the other hand, could confer the legitimacy the government needs to pass reforms deemed critical to addressing corruption and other development challenges.
The Obama Administration has been supportive of the Nigerian government’s recent reform initiatives, including anti-corruption efforts, economic and electoral reforms, energy sector privatization, and programs to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta. In 2010, the Administration established a U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, a strategic dialogue to address these and other issues of mutual concern. Congress regularly monitors political developments in Nigeria and has consistently expressed concerns with corruption and human rights abuses. Congress also provides oversight for over $600 million in U.S. foreign assistance programs.
Date of Report: April 1, 2011
Number of Pages: 33
Order Number: RL33964
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
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