re: What's New In W. Africa (Nigeria)
Helipolar, NEO,
Remember that while Jerry Rawlings may have twice booted out the sitting (and thoroughly corrupt and useless) government of the day in coups, when he became head of state it was in elections which were generally accepted as fair - and he was re-elected after his first term. So Mr. Rawlings was able to change Ghana for the better, using harsh measures where necessary, because the majority of the people wanted him to. Democracy in action.
When the majority of Nigerians become so fed up with the thieves in charge that they'll want to subordinate their own personal ambitions to the decisions of a leader (and this includes the regional, local, tribal and what-all struggles - Ijaws, Itsekiris, Ogonis, etc.) then things may change for the better. But not quickly, nor painlessly.
In my years in Nigeria I've met enough persons of great personal integrity to believe that such a leader can be found - if the people want it badly enough.