Topic Summaries

Nigeria is a multi-cultural, multi-faith society, but this diversity has caused regional conflicts.

Groups like Boko Haram have caused violence, forcing 500,000 people to flee their homes

Nigeria has a rich culture, including a thriving music, literature, and film industry (e.g. Nollywood).

The Nigerian football team has won the African Cup of Nations three times.

In the south, high tropical rainfall supports crops like rubber, palm oil, and cocoa.

In the north, less rainfall leads to grasslands, suitable for cotton farming.

Shell Oil is a transnational company (TNC) with headquarters in the Netherlands but with major operations in Nigeria to capitalise on: low taxes, cheap labour, limited workers’ rights, and fewer environmental laws

• Advantages for Nigeria:
  • Employment: Shell Oil has hired 65,000 Nigerian workers, with 90% of employees being Nigerian 
  • Infrastructure development: TNCs invest in the host country’s infrastructure, such as roads and facilities, which benefits the local population.
  • Tax revenue: Shell has paid £20 billion in corporation tax, which the government can use to improve services and support Nigerian citizens.
• Disadvantages for Nigeria:
  • Poor working conditions: workers often face unsafe and unfair conditions with limited legal recourse.
  • Oil theft: exposed gas and oil pipelines are vulnerable to theft, causing economic losses.
  • Profit leakage: most profits are sent back to the TNC headquarters in HICs, rather than being reinvested in Nigeria.
  • Environmental damage: the 2008 oil spill in Bodo polluted water supplies, deprived locals of food, and harmed aquatic life.

In 2013, Nigeria contributed the 5th largest number of troops to the UN peacekeeping force.

Growing links with China, including significant investment in infrastructure projects.

USA: Provides aid to educate and protect Nigerians from HIV/AIDS.

EU and UNICEF: Provide funding and support for development projects.

Oil spills: in the Niger Delta (e.g. Bodo, 2008) polluted water supplies, harmed aquatic life, and reduced fish availability as a food source. Locals were exposed to toxic chemicals, unhygienic water, and food shortages.

Deforestation: across Nigeria, 80% of forests have been cut down, increasing CO2 levels, and contributing to climate change.

Industrial pollution: harmful gases released by industries contribute to global warming.

Toxic waste: toxic chemicals released into sewers risk human health.

Improved access to healthcare leads to higher life expectancy and reduction in illness as people receive better medical treatment and preventative care.

Increased job opportunities provide individuals with a higher income, allowing them to afford a healthier diet and better healthcare services, which enhances their quality of life.

Developments in infrastructure, which allow access to clean water and reliable electricity, improve living conditions by reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and supporting essential services like education and healthcare.