Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960 and from 1966 to 1999 was controlled for the most part by different military governments. In May 1999, the democratically elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military dictator, assumed power. He was re-elected to a second term in 2003.

Nigeria has a population of around 131 million and life expectancy is around 50 years. It is an ethnically and religiously complex country with over 250 ethnic groups. More than 50% of the population belong to the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Ibo ethnic groups.

Nigeria has the biggest population in Africa with 1 in 6 Africans being Nigerian. Although HIV prevalence rates are much lower in Nigeria than in other African countries such as South Africa and Zambia, the size of Nigeria's population meant that by the end of 2003, there were an estimated 3,600,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. This is the largest number in the world after South Africa and India.

Factors contributing to the spread of HIV in Nigeria

Lack of sexual health information and education

Sex is traditionally a very private subject in Nigeria for cultural and religious reasons. The discussion of sex with teenagers, girls in particular, is seen as indecent. Up until recently there was little or no sexual health education for young people and this has been a major barrier to reducing sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV rates. Lack of accurate information about sexual health has meant there are many myths and misconceptions about sex and HIV, contributing to increasing transmission rates as well as stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

Stigma and discrimination

Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS is commonplace in Nigeria. Both Christians and Muslims see immoral behaviour as being the cause of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This affects attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and HIV prevention. PLWHA often lose their jobs or are denied healthcare services because of the ignorance and fear about HIV and AIDS. There is so much ignorance about HIV/AIDS that 60% of healthcare workers think HIV positive patients should be isolated from other patients. 

^{Poor Health Services}

Over the last two decades, Nigeria's healthcare care system has deteriorated because of political instability, corruption and a mismanaged economy. Large parts of the country lack even basic healthcare provision, making it difficult to establish HIV testing and prevention services such as those for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Sexual health clinics providing contraception and testing and treatment for other STIs are also few and far between

Full country name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Area: 924 000 sq. km. (356 700 sq. mi.)
Population: 131,859,731 
People: Nigerian 
Language: English (official), Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, others.
Religion: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% 
Government: federal republic 
Head of State: President Olusegun OBASANJO 
Climate: Temperatures 22-36°C, annual rainfall ranges from 381 cm. along the coast to 64 cm. or less in the far north. 
Major Industries: Crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel. 
Imports partners: USA 15.6%, UK 9.6%, Germany 7.3%, China 7.2%, Italy 4.3% (2003) 
Currency: Naira (NGN)