Nigeria

Question 1

Characteristics of Nigeria

Answer 1

• Most populous African country
• Largest oil exporter of the continent - 8th largest world wide
• Ethnic and religious tensions (mostly between Catholics and Muslims) in part due to the colonial heritage
• Political turmoil, rampant government corruption, ailing economy
• Violent groups such as Boko Haram
• 70% of the population lives under 1 USD a day
• The Human development index ranks Nigeria as no 159 of 177

Question 2

the Nigerian Oil Industry: An Area of Limited Statehood?

Answer 2

Nigerian government has been “privatized” and “parcelled out” for the benefit of a special group, the oil corporations

Long-lasting, violent conflicts often connected to the control of oil and other natural resources which had plagued (and continues to plague) the region is a characteristic of limited statehood

On many occasions, these corporations have been complicit in the militarization of the oil industry in Nigeria and have used their immense powers and influence to weaken the regulatory powers of the state over their activities.

Question 3

Nigeria and corruption

Answer 3

• Transparency International ranks Nigeria as top 3 most corrupt countries
• 30 year long military regime -> corruption went unchallenged and unchecked
• General issue in Africa: Failed to ensure development and political stability after the countries gained independence in the 1960’s, thus being locked in a cycle of dysfunction: decaying infrastructure, social tension, poverty, conflict and violence
• General issue in Africa: a lot of attention to treating corruption rather than understanding the root causes

Question 4

Nigeria Corruption causes

Answer 4

•	Low level of wages among civil servants
•	Limited availability of funding
•	Lack of social security
•	History of corruption 
->	underdevelopment