Okay, we all know there are lies, damn lies and statistics, but some of the humanitarian statistics for Nigeria make interesting reading (
Nigeria Facts)
Average life expectancy has declined from 51.5 to 43.4 years since 2000 and the percentage with access to improved water has declined from 62% to 48% since 2000. Average literacy has slightly improved, but it's the number of cellular telephone users which shows the biggest increase, from 0.3% to 14% of the population since 2000. In terms of corruption ranking (where 1 is the least and 145 the most corrupt) it ranks slightly better than last year (142), but was only 90 in 2000, so things in general since democracy have been getting worse. The percentage of the population living on less than $1 per day has changed little from the 70.2% of 2000 to the 70.8% of today, though it's obvious that the transition to democracy and the huge increase in the oil price have done absolutely nothing for the ordinary person. After all this, people wonder why there's so much unrest as the people continue to see their oil wealth squandered for the benefit of just a few corrupt politicians while they live in squalor. This must be the most corrupt government Nigeria has ever endured
