Nigeria Country Brief - February 2008
Introduction
Australia’s relationship with Nigeria is based on Nigeria’s position as a leading African nation and important member of the Commonwealth. Diplomatic relations were established in 1960 and Australia opened a High Commission in Lagos in the same year. The mission was relocated to Abuja in 2003. Nigeria maintains a High Commission in Canberra.
Political overview
Nigeria is a federal republic with an executive president and a bicameral national legislature. Both the president and members of parliament are directly elected for terms of four years.
With a diverse population of 140 million, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. It gained independence from Britain in 1960 and, from 1966, was ruled by succession of military governments. A civil war between the federal government and the breakaway republic of Biafra claimed an estimated one million lives between 1967 and 1970. In May 1999, the elected government of President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed power and was re-elected for a second term in May 2003. General elections in April 2007 were considered flawed by Nigerian and international observers, although they marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history and extended Nigeria’s longest period of civilian rule since independence. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua took office on 29 May 2007.
Economic overview
Nigeria's economic development has been uneven. Despite the country's substantial oil wealth, corruption remains a problem and poverty is widespread. However, macro-economic reforms during the Obasanjo presidency have produced some positive results. GDP growth will continue to be driven by the oil and gas sector for the foreseeable future.
Bilateral relationship
Australia’s relations with Nigeria are friendly and based primarily on Nigeria's position as an economic and political leader in Africa. Nigeria also plays an important role in Commonwealth affairs.
Bilateral economic and trade relationship
Australian exports to Nigeria were valued at $48 million in 2006/07, of which the main items were animal oils and fats, plastic and dairy products. No significant imports were recorded from Nigeria during the same period. While Australian investment in Nigeria remains modest, some companies are now showing interest in the growing minerals and petroleum resources sectors.
Aid
Australia's aid to Nigeria is limited to assistance through Australian NGOs working in Nigeria, grants from a small discretionary fund administered by the Australian High Commission in Nigeria and assistance provided through the United Nations and the Commonwealth.