USAID Nigeria Mission

In May 2003, Nigeria inaugurated its second democratically elected government in about twenty years. The first such election in May 1999 ended a cycle of military dictatorships that devastated the country's economic and social capital. Nigerians have cause to be optimistic with the country's political transition. Engagement and partnership with the international community are replacing sanctions and isolation. At the same time, Nigeria has begun to slowly rebuild its economy and reclaim its position of leadership in Africa.

With Nigeria's move to a civilian-led government, USAID's program in the country transformed from a relatively small, yet particularly innovative and dynamic health and women's democratic decision-making program, to a fast-paced elections program, and then to a 27-month transition program (through December 2003). USAID has moved from funding programs implemented solely by NGOs to full bilateral relations with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The expansion of the USAID program in Nigeria in response to the democratic transition has been accompanied by significant increases in resources, from $7 million annually to close to $100 million.

USAID's current program forms a key element of the US Government's strategic plan for Nigeria by focussing on: Democracy and Governance; Economic Reform and Agriculture; Education; Global Health (Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Child Survival); and support for improved infrastructure and energy development. USAID's assistance to Nigeria is intended to bolster democratic governance, as well as expand the democratic dividend that will build confidence in the capacity of the new government to deliver on citizens' basic needs.

The quality of health care in Nigeria has deteriorated dramatically over the past several decades, and today is unable to meet even the basic health needs of many Nigerians. For example, the immunization rate for children plummeted from 85% in the late 1980s to less than 20% in 1998. At the same time, there has been a five-fold increase in the number of HIV infected individuals, up to 2.6 million in 1999 (more than 10% of the HIV/AIDS cases reported worldwide). And with an average fertility rate of nearly 6 children per women, Nigeria's population of 120 million people is expanding at nearly 3% annually, a growth-rate that will double the population to 240 million by 2025 (the third-fastest growing population worldwide).

In response to Nigeria's public-health and development situation, USAID's program supports four Strategic Objectives (SOs) and one Special Objective (SPO):

• SO1 - Sustain Nigeria's transition to democratic civilian governance
• SO2 - Strengthen Nigeria's institutional capacity for economic reform and enhance its capacity to revive agricultural growth
• SO3 - Develop the foundation for education reform
• SO4 - Increase the use of family planning, maternal and child health services, and HIV/AIDS/STD preventive measures and
• SPO1 - Improve management of the infrastructure and energy sectors

(The Special Objective of USAID's program focuses on helping Nigeria to expand the supply of energy to its citizens - an important dividend of democracy - and improve the management of key infrastructure components such as energy and transport.)

Nigeria Mission contact information:
DOS/USAID
8320 Abuja Place
Washington, D.C. 20521-8320

USAID/Nigeria
Aso Drive
Maitama,
PMB 519, Garki,
Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: +234 (0)9 413-8374, 413-8375, 413-8376.