Nigeria is experiencing a perfect storm. According to Google, a perfect storm exists when “a particularly bad or critical state of affairs, arising from a number of negative and unpredictable factors” exist. That definition perfectly describes what is occurring in Nigeria today. If not successfully addressed, it appears that Nigeria will descend into a failed statehood. University students are protesting increased fees. The government has failed to address problems caused by the abrupt removal of the country’s fuel subsidy this past May. Four million Nigerians fell into poverty in the first half of the year, and more will follow if the situation does not improve.

Compounding the above are the constant abductions for ransom, the sheer acts of terrorism, and when the courts do not convict some individuals of crimes, terrorists exact vengeance in extrajudicial murders. The abductions are increasing, and fear is a constant emotion among Nigeria’s inhabitants. “The Department for State Services (DSS) alleged it had identified – yet had not arrested – ring leaders of plots it claimed to have uncovered to stage violent protests in order to discredit the Federal Government and security agencies over sundry socio-economic matters.”

Nigeria is split evenly between Christian Believers and Muslims. Muslims live mostly in the north and Christians in the South. Christians have experienced more political violence targeting them since 2021. Boko Haram and other “bandit” troops appear to lean more and more upon kidnappings for ransom as their chief means of support. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with a very fragile democracy. With its multifaceted violence against its own people and the failing economy and economic crisis facing the country, Nigeria is definitely experiencing its “perfect storm.”

SOURCE:

• Local Christians in Nigeria
• https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/nigeria