Nigeria Flashcards
Where is Nigeria?
In West Africa, bordering Benin, Niger, Chad & Cameroon.
How would you describe Nigeria’s climate?
Generally a tropical climate but climate is variable throughout the country (see Q89).
How is Nigeria important globally?
2016: 30th largest economy in the world. Supplies 2.7% of world’s oil. Lagos is a major global economic hub. 5th largest contributor to UN Peacekeeping missions.
How is Nigeria important within Africa?
Has the highest GNI & largest population in Africa. Exports cocoa, oil, rubber & oil to African countries. Has rich agricultural sector – 1/3 of all jobs in farming. Nollywood is second largest global film industry.
When did Nigeria gain its independence?
In 1960.
What is Nigeria’s political context?
Was a British colony – resources & people exploited. 1960 independence followed by civil war (1967-70). Recent improvements: 2011 & 2015 elections considered democratic.
What is Nigeria’s social context?
Christianity, Islam & traditional religions practised. Diversity has caused conflict i.e. Biafran Civil War. Rise of Boko Haram (extremist group) = tensions, safety concerns & lack of foreign investment.
What is Nigeria’s cultural context?
Fela Kuti considered the pioneer of Afrobeats. Well-known authors e.g. Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations in 2013.
What is Nigeria’s environmental context?
South: tropical grassland. Cattle grazed; millet grown. Centre: upland areas e.g. Jos Plateau. Wetter & cooler than surrounding grasslands. Woodland & farmland. Temperatures & annual rainfall highest in the south.
Define ‘civil war’.
A war fought between different groups of people who live in the same country.
How has Nigeria’s industrial structure changed?
Previously dependent on primary, agricultural products e.g. cocoa & palm oil. Economy now becoming more balanced.
When was oil discovered in the Niger Delta?
In the 1950s.
What % of Nigeria’s export income does oil account for?
98%.
Why has Nigeria’s primary sector declined?
Increased use of machinery. More desirable jobs in other sectors. 1999: 70% employed in agriculture. 2012: fell to 40%. Oil extraction = large proportion of economy.
Why has Nigeria’s secondary sector increased?
Industrialisation = jobs in construction & pharmaceuticals. Manufacturing = 10% of Nigeria’s GDP. Manufactures processed foods, soaps & textiles.
What is happening to Nigeria’s tertiary sector?
Growing. More people with jobs in retail, finances & communications.
What is happening to Nigeria’s quaternary sector?
IT (Information Technology) sector is growing. Likely to overtake oil in future.
Why has Nigeria’s economy changed?
More English speakers = jobs in telecommunications. Stable government encourages foreign investment. Rapid advances in technology. Investment in science & technology training.
What has been the impact of Nigeria’s changing economy?
Secure paid work = more disposable income = more spending on Nigerian-produced goods. More taxes paid to government = investment. Chemical by-products from oil = new industries.
Which new industries have arisen as a result of oil by-products?
Production of soaps, detergents & plastics.
What is a TNC (Trans National Corporation)?
A large company that operates in several countries. HQ tends to be in one country; production in several others.
Approximately how many TNCs operate in Nigeria?
- E.g. KFC, Unilever, Shell.
What are the general benefits of TNCs?
Provide jobs, allow locals to develop new skills. TNCs improve infrastructure so raw materials can be transported. Better infrastructure benefits locals. More money spent in host country’s economy.
What are the general disadvantages of TNCs?
Workers may be poorly paid. Working conditions can be dangerous if no laws. Higher paid jobs not usually given to locals. Most profits sent back to HQ country.
Why does Shell Oil operate in Nigeria?
Oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1958.
Why has Shell had to invest a lot of money in its oil business in Nigeria?
Oil in Niger Delta difficult to extract. Lots of money invested in expertise & technology.
What have been the advantages of Shell Oil in Nigeria?
Pays a lot of taxes to Nigeria’s government. Directly employs 65,000 people. Indirectly employs a further 200,000 people.
What has been the negatives of Shell Oil in Nigeria?
Boko Haram disrupts oil flow. Oil theft costs TNCs & government billions yearly. Catastrophic oil spills have led to water pollution & soil degradation = reduced crop & fish yields.
How many barrels of crude oil are spilled in the Niger Delta every year?
Approximately 240,000.
When did the Bodo oil spills occur?
In 2008 & 2009.
How have Nigeria’s political links changed?
Used to be British colony – links with Empire. Now, member of British Commonwealth – equal status with other countries, including UK. Leading member of African political/economic groups.
How many peacekeepers did Nigeria contribute to the UN’s mission in Liberia?
20,000 between 2003 and 2018
What is OPEC?
A group that aims to stabilise oil prices & ensure regular supply. Nigeria is a member.
What is the African Union?
An economic planning & peacekeeping group. Nigeria works with Chad, Benin & Cameroon to coordinate soldiers.
What are Nigeria’s main exports?
Crude & refined petroleum. Natural gas. Rubber. Cocoa.
What are Nigeria’s main imports?
Refined petroleum (from EU & USA). Cars (from Brazil & USA). Telephones (from China). Rice.
What is the significance of imported telephones?
One of the fastest-growing imports. In demand due to emerging middle class in Nigeria. Nigeria is 7th in the world for number of mobile phones used.
Why is Nigeria’s oil described as ‘sweet oil’?
Higher quality than Middle East oil & suitable for refining into gasoline.
How have Nigeria’s oil customers changed?
USA was biggest oil customer until 2013. India now Nigeria’s biggest oil customer. Exports of oil to China, Japan, India & S Korea increased by 40% in 2013-14.
How has oil affected agricultural exports?
Reduced importance of agricultural products. 40% of people still employed in farming. Australia & Indonesia are biggest cotton customers.
What is emergency aid?
Food, water, medical supplies, shelter & money given to a country following a natural disaster, war or conflict.
What is developmental aid?
Long-term support given by charities & governments with the aim of improving quality of life.
Why does Nigeria receive international aid?
Many in Nigeria are poor & lack access to safe water and reliable electricity supply. Life expectancy is low – 54 years. 100 million people live on less than £0.79 per day.
How much aid does Nigeria receive?
4% of all aid given to African countries. 2013: aid represented 0.5% of Nigeria’s GNI.
Where does aid given to Nigeria come from?
Individual countries e.g. USA, UK. International organisations e.g. World Bank.NGOs and charities.
What is the impact of aid in Nigeria?
Nets4Life distributes anti-mosquito nets to families. 2014 – World Bank approved $500 million for long-term loans to Nigerian businesses = reduce reliance on oil exports.
What prevents aid from being used effectively?
Corruption, especially when aid is not delivered directly to communities. James Ibori, former Delta state governor, was jailed for 13 years in 2012 for diverting $250 million.
How has ActionAid provided support to Nigerian people?
Work with parents, teachers & religious leaders to challenge attitudes around girls’ education. Built separate girls toilets in schools so they don’t have to miss school when on their periods.
How has industrial growth impacted the environment?
Fast, unregulated growth of industries = harmful pollutants dumped in open drains & water channels. 70-80% of forests destroyed through logging, agriculture & road building.
How has urban growth impacted the environment?
Growth of squatter settlements = waste disposal, traffic congestion & resulting pollution issues. Green belts & recreational areas have been converted into building & industrial sites.
How have commercial farming and deforestation impacted the environment?
Inappropriate land practices = degradation & erosion. Habitats destroyed due to road building. Nearly 500 types of plant disappeared due to deforestation.
How have mining & oil extraction impacted the environment?
Tin mining = soil erosion. Water supplies polluted with toxic chemicals. Oil spills cause fires, release CO2 into atmosphere & kill wildlife.
Has Nigeria’s quality of life improved?
Yes: HDI has steadily increased since 2005. HDI increased by 14.4% from 2005 to 2018.
Has everybody’s quality of life improved?
No: 60% of population still live in poverty. Many lack access to sanitation & clean water. Oil wealth has not been used effectively (corruption).
How can Nigeria ensure quality of life continues to improve?
Ensure political stability encourages investment. Improve relationships between Yoruba & Igbo people. Reduce risk from extremist groups like Boko Haram. Sort environmental issues e.g. clean-up of oil spills.
