nigeria

• federal republic of nigeria, country in west africa, most populated country in africa
the federal republic of nigeria is a country in western africa. it is the most populous country in africa. the main ethnic groups include hausa, yoruba, ibo, and fulani. nigeria was a british colony from the 19th century until it became independent in 1960. from 1967 to 1970 there was a civil war caused by the secession of biafra in eastern nigeria. the war ended with biafra's surrender and the reunification of the country. there has been a military government since 1983 and in 1984 political parties were banned. major-general ibrahim babangida became president in 1985 and held elections, contested by two legal parties, in 1993. chief moshood abiola is believed to have won, but the elections were annulled and the military remained in power. president babangida resigned in 1993 and general sanni abacha came to power and banned all political activity. nigeria is a member of the commonwealth, opec, and the organization of african unity. it exports oil, cocoa, and rubber. cannabis is illegally produced. large foreign debts and high inflation are major economic problems.