|
|
Country Program Materials
|
|
USAID/Nigeria Links
USAID/Nigeria
Mission
www.usaid.gov/ng Mission Director:
Local Address:
- Metro Plaza, 3rd Floor
Zakaria Maimalari Street
P.M.B. 519
Garki
Abuja
Nigeria
Tel: 234-09-413-8374, 413-8375, 413-8577
Fax: 234-09-234-2930
From the US:
- DOS/USAID
8320 Abuja Place
Washington, D.C.
20521-8320
|
|
|
USAID's Strategy in Nigeria With the 1998-1999 transition from military rule to a democratically
elected government, Nigeria committed itself to the development
of a sustainable democracy and the expansion of economic and
social opportunities for all Nigerians. Over the intervening
four years, Nigeria has made significant progress in laying
the foundation for future democratic consolidation and economic
growth. Nonetheless, Nigeria still faces formidable challenges.
Nigeria's economic and social stability is threatened by
the rising tide of poverty. The projected doubling of the
population by 2025 will require a doubling of the already
inadequate infrastructure and GDP simply to sustain the current
level of poverty. The economy's dependency on oil revenues
has overshadowed the needs of agriculture, which employs nearly
three-quarters of Nigerians and accounts for over 40 percent
of GDP. Revitalization of the stagnant agricultural sector
is a key strategy for poverty reduction. Pervasive corruption,
which acts as a regressive tax and redistributes wealth in
favor of the privileged, is also a major contributing factor
to poverty that must be addressed. Nigeria's social indicators also paint a grim picture. Infant
and maternal mortality rates are unacceptably high and similar
to rates of its poorer, smaller, neighbors. High fertility
and inadequate birth spacing contribute to poor health and
limit Nigerian women's productive capacity. Far more alarming
is the potential for explosive growth in the near future,
to as many as 10 to 15 million HIV-infected individuals over
the next eight years. The primary U.S. national interests in Nigeria are democracy,
global economic growth and stability, and regional conflicts.
Nigeria's prosperity and stability are essential to growth
and stability in West Africa and more generally in sub-Saharan
Africa. Nigeria is the fifth largest exporter of oil to the
United States, and a top-ten exporter worldwide.
Back to Top ^ |