Bordering Chad, Benin, Niger, and Cameroon, Nigeria is situated in West Africa and is a key regional player in West Africa.
Nigeria accounts for about half of West Africa’s population with approximately 202 million people and one of the largest populations of youth in the world. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse federation which consists of 36 autonomous states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The country has been grappling with back to back military coups and today has an elected leadership under President Muhammadu Buhari, who was elected in March 2015. Nigeria has experienced a growing divide between its Islamic and Christian population, with extreme Sheria law in Northern states in the country distancing the two religions apart even further.
A former British colony, Nigeria is one of the globe's largest oil producers, and yet the local population has hardly benefitted from this natural resource due to a fatal level of corruption with the government, elites as well as local and multinational oil companies involved. Thus, the environment in the country, particularly local communities around the Niger Delta have suffered unimaginable damage from the industry.
Nigeria is one of Africa's biggest media markets. There are hundreds of radio stations and TV networks, as well as cable and satellite platforms. With millions of Nigerians being online, WhatsApp and Facebook are leading social platforms.
According to Reporters Without Borders, journalists face threats and violence in the course of their work.
