Nigeria is a fairly small sized African country but it is the continent's richest nation. Nigeria is not a popular African state and many tourists would not choose to visit this country. However, Nigeria has one thing that makes it stand out from the rest; this nation has an abundance of oil.
Nigeria's oil reserve makes it wealthy and gives it the ability to be a major player in world affairs. The country exports at least 40% of its sweet oil to the U.S. This helps to provide oil and gas to America's economy. They also supply many other nations in Europe with their crude oil. Many nations that are oil dependent have a vested interest in Nigeria because of its oil reserves.
While the country of Nigeria has grown rich because of its oil exporting industry; many of its citizens still remain poor and the country (as a whole) lives in a culture of corruption, chaos and poverty. The nation's primary problems stem from oil production and political corruption. These two negative forces are keeping Nigeria from becoming an African state which could rival the western world.
Nigeria was once a vassal state of the British Empire. Once the nation gained its independence during the 1950s, it started on a positive course of growth and development. The country primarily exported agrarian products and the early rulers were competent governors. The people started to slowly prosper under their new found freedom.
However, by the mid 1960's the society and culture within Nigeria changed for the worse. Oil reserves were discovered in Nigeria during the 60s and by the year 1965 oil production was in full swing. At first, this boom in oil produces a favorable economy for the Nigerian people. On the surface it seemed like people were prospering everywhere. The poor as well as the rich had increased their income. There were jobs and people spent money freely. The mid 60's to the mid 70's was considered one of the most prosperous times in the nation's history.
Problems began to surface around 1975. Apparently, many corrupt officials were becoming too greedy with their newfound wealth. As a result, many of the nation's poorer population started to lose money. No one noticed this situation when everything was going well; but eventually it started to become widespread. A generation of corrupt officials had emerged in Nigeria during the 70's and their legacy would go on to influence the country for many years.
When oil companies found oil reserves in Nigeria; most of them were located in the Niger Delta region. This part of the country lies in the south and is bordered by the Gulf of Guinea. Many people who reside in the Delta region are poor. They have always been poorer than people who lived further north.
The people who live in this region are made up of tribes. These tribes honestly believed that they would prosper from the new wealth that oil had brought to the country. Especially, since most of the refineries were located in their homelands. This was not the case.
At first the people in this region saw their income increase but after a few years it started to wane. The government never developed infrastructure in this part of the country that would improve the plight of the people. As a result, many of them did not have the skills or knowledge to work in jobs outside of agriculture.
Many Nigerian people did not have basic society functions to improve their condition. There was little to no available electricity, very few schools and substandard hospitals. The poor were kept poor while the rich continued to increase their coffers. Eventually, people from the poorer regions of Nigeria had decided to rise up against the corruption that oil had brought to the country.
Nigeria is steeped in a culture of corruption because the people embrace it. It starts at the leadership position and works its way down to the poor. Many Nigerian people value this mindset and if they had an opportunity to engage in corrupt practices they would. This is one reason why the political and social scene in Nigeria will not change any time soon. For some reason, the people have become use to being manipulators, thieves, bribery, lying and conducting dishonest business and political practices.
Politicians at the local and federal level believe that corruption is a virtue. They will do whatever it takes to remain in power and they will even keep the masses poor if it keeps them rich. The bottom line is that the leadership in Nigeria is so debauched that it will probably never change.
Oil is the most important product in the world. Nigerian politicians understand this truth. Since they do, they realize that they can manipulate and sway the public to follow their rules and live under their control. Many do not care about the plight of the average person. They might build a school or a hospital just to appease the masses but they will not try to make serious changes. Changing the social climate in Nigeria would mean that they would have to share their wealth and power. Truth is, many leaders just do not want this to happen.
In closing, Nigeria probably will not experience any major changes until its people no longer view corruption as a value. They also must figure out a practical way to implement changes for the poor people who are living in the oil rich portions of their nation. If they do not make these changes then this country will continue to experience social instability.
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