Nigeria

Nigeria is a country in western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon. The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is a land of diversity and contrasts, that has been marked by the high educational achievement of many of its regions and a rapid transition from a ubiquitous traditional way of life to the inclusion of an urban modern way of life in a scant century. The land that is now Nigeria appears to have been densely settled for thousands of years. Because the region, especially to the south, does not have the kind of dry climate that has preserved artifacts in Saharan nations, the historical record is likely to be foreshortened by lack of present evidence, rather than by lack of past civilization.

In fact, where old and ancient artifacts have been found, the evidence points to a (Benin).

British influence and control over what would become Nigeria grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The president faces the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo must defuse longstanding ethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundation for economic growth and political stability. Although the April 2003 elections were marred by some irregularities, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections set for April 2007 would mark the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history.