Nigeria Country Report
Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and the most populous country on the African continent. Although oil and natural gas have contributed to the country’s economic growth throughout history, most people do not benefit from its abundant resources. While Nigeria consolidated its first peaceful transition of power with the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and democratic progress, the election cycle remains tense and political violence has returned. Bola Tinob won the 2023 presidential election despite reports of rigging by opposition parties. Widespread insecurity, rampant corruption, and economic diversification away from the oil and gas sector remain major challenges for Nigerians.
Criminal activities are endemic in many parts of the country, and kidnapping and armed robbery are a serious threat to both local people and foreigners. Low-level conflicts in the Niger Delta, the Middle Belt and the remote North-East remain a concern as the government has yet to fully address underlying grievances. Civil unrest and labor unrest due to various socio-economic grievances and political developments often occur in major population centers of the country. While infrastructure in metropolitan centers is relatively developed, rural areas lack basic infrastructure, an ironic flaw in this oil-rich country where power and fuel shortages recur.
Last updated: March 8, 2023
Security
Nigeria is facing several security challenges.
Kidnappings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes occur with alarming regularity in large parts of the country.
Civil and labor riots also often occur, manifesting as street protests and strike actions in major urban centers and collective and resource-based conflicts in rural areas. The lack of a comprehensive solution to pastoral conflicts has led to an escalation of violence in the predominantly agricultural middle belt, fueled by ethnic-political tensions.
A tenuous ceasefire in the oil-producing country’s south has led to a resurgence of Niger Delta rebels, but the region’s fragile energy infrastructure is at risk of further deterioration unless social, economic, and political grievances are fully addressed.
Nigeria faces a separatist movement in the southeast, a remnant of the civil war, and to a lesser extent in the southwest.
Meanwhile, Islamist insurgents from Boko Haram and the Islamic State group in West Africa Province (ISWAP) are geographically limited, although they remain a constant threat in remote parts of northeastern Nigeria and border areas with neighboring countries.
Last updated: July 19, 2023
Infrastructure
Air travel to and from Nigeria is generally safe. However, the national carrier has safety and reliability concerns.
Land travel in Nigeria is dangerous due to changing road conditions, erratic driving habits, and the presence of armed criminals on the roadside.
Ports are considered relatively inefficient.
Disruption of fuel and electricity supply occurs regularly and can not only negatively affect business continuity, but also lead to uncontrollable protests.
Cybercrime is a serious concern in Nigeria and the authorities have taken steps in recent years to reduce the threat posed by online criminal activities.
Last updated: April 3, 2023
Environment
Floods and landslides are major environmental disasters in Nigeria. Flooding occurs mostly during the rainy season from May to October. Heavy rains at this time can also cause landslides, often in mountainous areas near the northeastern border with Cameroon.
Oil spills pose significant environmental and health risks to host communities in the Niger Delta.
Last updated: March 15, 2022
Health and Medical
Nigeria is a country prone to many vector-borne and water-borne diseases, especially malaria. Adequate health facilities are available in Lagos and Abuja, but standards of care may be limited in other parts of the country.
Last updated: February 24, 2022
Political
Political stability in Nigeria is fragile, with deep ethnic and regional divisions and intense competition for office at all levels of government historically undermining national cohesion. Despite significant efforts by the current government against corruption, especially in the oil and gas sector, corruption still exists in Nigeria.
Last updated: April 14, 2022
