Nigeria

Agnes Onydo conducts a home visit with Jayo Benjamin. Since he lost his sight, he needs help around his home and to stick to his HIV drug regimen. Photo by Karen Kasmauski for CRS

Nigeria is one of the major oil producing countries in Africa, but confronted with the enormous challenges of overcoming extreme poverty and hunger. More than 70 percent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line. In addition to, and as a result of poverty, Nigeria is also besieged by violent conflicts which have resulted in displacements, loss of lives and property. In the last months of 2012, Nigeria experienced massive flooding in more than 19 of her 36 states. In a country of mostly farmers, the flooding has further increased the suffering of the people as farmlands were completely destroyed.

Learn more about our work in Nigeria.

CRS' Commitment to Catholic Teaching

Latest Stories From Nigeria

View all stories »»

Extending God's Healing Touch

Your support of CRS delivers the promise of abundant life by bringing health care to many of the poorest, most remote corners of the world. »»
In Nigeria, Orphans Raise Themselves

Millions of African children have been orphaned by AIDS. Some in Nigeria have found a way to survive, with the help of the Diocese of Otukpo. »»
In Nigeria, Helping Orphans Help Themselves

When Abel's father died, he became the man of the house. With no income and four siblings to feed, how was this orphan going to get by? »»

Stats
History
Partners
Programs

Stats

Population:	170,123,740 (July 2012 est.)
Size:	356,700 sq mi; about the size of California, Nevada, and Arizona
People Served:	65,232 (2012 est.)

History

Catholic Relief Services first experience in Nigeria was in 1967 during the civil war in the area of emergency response. After the war, CRS was asked to leave leave the country by the Nigerian government. Thirty year after, with the return of democracy in Nigeria after years of military rule, CRS returned to Nigeria at the invitation of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The CBCN hopes that CRS would respond to the increasing HIV and AIDS challenges and cases of conflict, as well as contributing to the growing democracy.