Nigeria's Rise

As the most populated country in all of Africa, Nigeria has shown exemplary fiscal progress and remains a unique member of West Africa. Nigeria has made strides to imitate a democratic society through fair elections and more government transparency. In the most recent election of 2011, it was reported that there was relatively little voter fraud and as a result little violence in the aftermath of elections. Nigeria has repeatedly been considered a regional power as the "most populous country in Africa, the second biggest economy, the third largest military power and the biggest oil producer (10th oil producer in the world). The country's oil reserves have brought tremendous revenue into the country and put it on track to being one of the "Next Eleven" economies. Nigeria politically and economically influences many of the West African countries, especially since many of its neighboring countries' economic activity is concentrated in Nigeria. The economic future of Nigeria seems promising.

Although Nigeria is poised to become of the most powerful African nations, social issues within the country threaten to hinder economic mobility. The insurgency of the Boko Haram who seek to eliminate western influence and establish sharia law have terrorized the population for nearly a decade. Current Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to fight the armed group, constantly coming up with new tactics to oust the Boko Haram. In an attempt to go a different direction in combating the Boko Haram, Jonathan recently fired the national security adviser as well as the defense minister. Perhaps a new strategy is what the Nigerian government needs to halt the crisis. As long as the Boko Haram exists in such a resource rich country, the government will have difficulty controlling their resource plots and stopping the rebellion. This will certainly negatively impact Nigeria's rate of growth and movement towards becoming the most powerful nation. Another social crisis that inflicts Nigeria's development are the growing ethnic tensions between rival ethnic christian and muslim groups. The feud between the ethnic groups has turned areas of Nigeria into volatile, destroyed cities. 

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2012/07/201272483549668971.html

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/06/20126275516425789.html

http://www.westafricagateway.org/west-africa/country-profiles/nigeria