Terrain
Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
Terrain/Geography ( :49 )
Climate
Varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
People
Nationality: Nigerian(s)
Population: 177,155,754 (July 2014 est.)
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages
Multi-Cultural Population ( :59)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Islam & Christianity (1:31)
Economy
Following an April 2014 statistical "rebasing" exercise, Nigeria has emerged as Africa's largest economy, with 2013 GDP estimated at US$ 502 billion. Oil has been a dominant source of government revenues since the 1970s. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production contracted in 2012 and 2013.
Economic Barriers & Potential (1:44)
OPEC OIL EXPORTERS (1:05)
Living Conditions
About 70 percent of Nigerians live in villages without indoor plumbing and electricity. Women and children have to walk up to half a mile to draw drinking water from a water source. Nigerians build simple rectangular or cylindrical houses of reed, mud brick, or cinder block. Several families of migrant workers often live together in a few rooms, sharing common cooking areas and latrines. Lower-and middle-income workers can afford small-to medium-sized houses. Some have indoor plumbing.
Poverty & Corruption (:54)
Government
Federal republic
US Military Presence/Support
The United States seeks to help improve the economic stability, security, and well-being of Nigerians by strengthening democratic institutions, improving transparency and accountability, and professionalizing security forces. U.S. assistance also aims to reinforce local and national systems; build institutional capacity in the provision of health and education services; and support improvements in agricultural productivity, job expansion in the rural sector, and increased supplies of clean energ
Joint Military Operations (1:10)