GEOGRAPHY
Located in Western Africa on the border of Cameroon, Nigeria is a nation that is about twice the size of California. There is a varied climate depending on location in the country. The south has a tropical rainforest climate and can accumulate over 5 feet of rain per year. Central Nigeria has a monsoon climate which features a wet and a dry season. The north has an arid climate due to its close proximity to the Sahara desert. The country is prone to drought and flooding depending on region.
THE PEOPLE
Nigeria has a population of over 190 million people. This ranks as the highest population in Africa and the seventh highest population of any country in the world. It is a very diverse country, with over 250 ethnic groups. The most common ethnic groups are the Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo. English is the official language, but over 500 indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country. About 50% of Nigerians are Muslim, 40% are Christians, and 10% follow indigenous religions. Nigeria has a very young population, and is projected to double in population in the next 40 years.
ECONOMY
Nigeria is rich in natural resources and has one of the largest economies in Africa. However, corruption has been a widespread issue and a lack of infrastructure have made it difficult for resources to be well managed. As a result of this, an estimated 70% of Nigerians live below the poverty line. This is well over 100 million people living in a situation that is difficult to get out of. The largest exports in Nigeria are petroleum, cocoa, and rubber.
EDUCATION
With an unstable government, it has been difficult for Nigeria to establish a strong education system. Education varies depending on region with some areas having better systems than others. School is not mandatory at any level and as a result of this instability, Nigeria has the most out of school children out of any country in the world. The country has a literacy rate of 68%, which is well below the worldwide rate of 86%.
HEALTH CARE
Nigeria has a poorly structured healthcare system. There is little coverage for citizens living in rural areas, and the hospitals are understaffed because many of the most qualified doctors move to North America and Europe where there are better healthcare systems to practice under. The lack of a strong healthcare system has factored into Nigerians having an average life expectancy of only 53 years.
Although the healthcare system in Nigeria is not great at the moment, they have made some great progress in the past twenty years. In 2014, they finally eradicated polio, becoming the final African country to do so. The first successful bone marrow surgery in Nigeria was completed in 2012. If they keep up this rate of progress, Nigeria could eventually have one of the best healthcare systems in Africa, but there is still much work to be done, and they need to focus on retaining their best doctors and improving the infrastructure of their hospitals and clinics.
HEMOPHILIA IN NIGERIA
According to the World Federation of Hemophilia survey in 2016, there are 308 people in Nigeria with Hemophilia. With one of the largest populations in the world, this number seems incredibly low given that Hemophilia is estimated to affect every 1 in 5,000 males. It is very likely that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Nigerian Hemophiliacs who are living undiagnosed due to the poor healthcare infrastructure. Access to treatment is critical for the health and well-being of Hemophiliacs, so it is crucial for them to get a diagnosis so they can begin care.
