[20141104]IF00030_尼日利亚：当前问题.pdf

www.crs.gov | 7-5700 November 4, 2014 Nigeria: Current IssuesNigeria is considered a key country in Africa because of its size and political and economic role in the region. The U.S. government considers its relationship with the country to be among the most important on the continent. Nigeria is Africas largest economy, its largest oil producer, and its most populous country, with almost 180 million people, roughly divided between Muslims and Christians. Its Muslim population is among the largest in the world, vying with, and likely overtaking, Egypts as the largest on the continent. Lagos, its commercial center, is among the worlds largest cities. Nigeria, which currently holds a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, also ranks as a top troop contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations. Despite significant promise, Nigeria faces serious social, economic, and security challenges that have the potential to threaten state and regional stability and affect global oil prices. The country has faced periodic political turmoil and economic crises. Political life has been scarred by ethnic, geographic, and religious conflict, and corruption and misrule have undermined the stat