Nigeria changing economic world (HUMAN)

Central-western African country, with a south-facing coastline and tropical climate, bordering Cameroon, Benin, Chand and Niger.

NEE

Experiencing a period of rapid economic growth. Nigeria has the 21st largest economy in the world.

Provides 2.7% of the world's oil, is the 5th largest contributor to UN peace-keeping forces, has the highest GDP in Africa, and is an example to the rest of Africa regarding development.

Became independent from the UK in 1960, had difficulties and civil wars until 1999, since then it has been stable.

An ethnically diverse multifaith country. Some social disharmony has arisen more recently in contrasting part of the country, which has negatively impacted foreign investment confidence.

Contrasting tropical climates from hot and wet in the south - leading to tropical rainforests, through savannah and eventually semi-desert in the far north as rainfall reduces.

Member of: AU (African Union), CEN-SAD (Community of Sahel-Saharan States, OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries), the UN, and is the Head of ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States).

Fall in importance of primary sector, Fluctuating secondary sector, and dominant (over 50% of GDP) tertiary sector

Regular paid work raises locals' spending and creates more tax revenue, allows reinvestment in infrastructure which attracts foreign investment and growth.

Transnational Corporations - large global companies - 40 operate in Nigeria; Unilever and Shell are two major ones.

Employment opportunities, investment in infrastructure, valuable export income earned, increased local spending.

Sometimes poorly paid, much profit goes abroad, limited number employed, grants could have been invested in Nigeria businesses.

Assisting with emergency (short term) and developmental (long term) support.

Received 4% of all aid entering Africa. Mainly spent of health, and then infrastructure. Some corruption issues have reduced the effectiveness of aid reaching intended destination.

Industrial growth means widespread air and water pollution in cities, deforestation and desertification. Urban growth means huge slums - home to millions in polluted cities. Mining and oil extraction means huge scale environmental damage.

steady rise in quality of life as shown by the HDI improving constantly since 2000.

Despite economic growth, the inequalities are very contrasting with tens of millions still in poverty. Corruption, social disharmony and a suffering environment are causes.