ction: @bbclysedoucet Thank you for your support Lyse and happy that you've enjoyed the view and the gathering :-) Original Tweet 1 day 23 hours ago
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Nigeria country profile
Region: West Africa
Population: 151.5 million (UN, 2008)
Capital: Abuja
Major languages: English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Faluni
Major religions: Islam, Christianity, and a number of indigenous religions
Terrain: Varies: equatorial in the south, tropical in the centre, arid in the north
Climate: Temperate in the highlands; hot in the lowlands
Background
The most populous country in Africa, and the eighth most populous in the world, Nigeria has one of the better average incomes on the continent. In the past the economic strength to be drawn from abundant natural resources, especially oil, has been consistently undermined by corruption and mismanagement. Substantial growth in 2005-07 has been hindered by the global recession and the consequent slump in oil prices.
There is a history of military rule in the country until recent decades, and longstanding ethnic and religious tensions persist, aggravated by internal migration caused by climate change. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since gaining independence in 1960.
Potential impacts of climate change
Environmental degradation caused by oil spills and other side effects of oil production are significant problems. Deforestation and soil degradation are also expected to continue.
Scientists project that climate change will have dire consequences for the entire sub-Saharan region. Food production and security in the northern Sahel part of Nigeria is expected to suffer, as semi-arid areas experience more droughts and flooding.
Rural-to-urban migration is expected to intensify, linked with economic development and industrialisation, but aggravated by agricultural failures and a loss of arable land due to desertification. 1,350 square miles of Nigerian land turn into desert each year, uprooting farmers and herdsmen and causing internal migration towards coastal areas. This will lead to further rises in industrial and domestic waste, and urban air and water pollution in general.
(Sources: CIA World Factbook, WHO, UNDP, Global Humanitarian Forum Human Impact Report, BBC News Online)