Make Every Woman Count - Promoting the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Africa

The Federal Republic of Nigeria has an estimated population of 158.2 million (UN, 2010). The capital is Abuja and the largest city is Lagos. Nigeria has an area of 923,768 sq km (356, 669 sq miles). The main languages are English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, and Haussa

Nigeria became independent in 1960 from Britain. Soon after independence, a military government for ruled the country for nearly 16 years. In 1999, a peaceful civil transition was accomplished. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Despite being a leading oil producer in Africa, progress is undermined by corruption and mismanagement. An ethnic and religious tension has led thousands to be killed and displaced by the violence.

The Nigerian constitution, which was passed in 1999, prohibits all forms of discrimination against women and grants equal rights to men and women. However, customary and religious law limit these rights. Certain states in the south follow Islamic Sharia law, which strengthen customs that discriminate against women. Domestic violence is widespread mainly in polygamous families and female genital mutilation is common in certain states, manly in rural areas.
 

• Nigeria ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples'   Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (The Maputo Protocol) on the 16th of 2004.
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was ratified by Nigeria on the 13th of June 1985.
• Nigeria has not yet adopted a National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325).
• There are no former or current UN Peacekeeping mandates in Nigeria.

Source: BBC, AlertNet, CIA, UN, SIGI