Federal Republic of Nigeria

Bilateral relationship

Bilateral relations with Nigeria are warm, but thin. In the 1980s New Zealand’s main objectives were to keep the Nigerian government aware of New Zealand’s anti-apartheid stance and, in the lead up to the 1990 Commonwealth Games, to clearly emphasise New Zealand’s opposition to sporting contact with South Africa. The relationship warmed with the return to civilian government in 1999, but there is limited official contact outside the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

Trade

Nigeria is New Zealand’s fourth largest export market in Africa (after South Africa, Algeria and Egypt).  Total trade in the year to June 2007 amounted to $220 million. Malt extract, and milk and cream now constitute the majority of New Zealand exports ($138.27 million). Nigeria exports little to New Zealand except petroleum, levels of which fluctuate from year to year (for example, $135 million in 2007 but $0 in 2006). 

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Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Official Name - Federal Republic of Nigeria - Land Area - 923,773 sq km - Population - 144m (2006 EIU estimate) - Capital City - Abuja - Religion - Islam (47.2%), Christianity (34.5%), African religions (18%) - Language - English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and many others

Political

Political system - Federal republic, comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja) - National government - The Federal Executive Council, which is chaired by the president; appointed 30 June 1999. - National legislature - National Assembly, comprising the 109-seat Senate and the 360-seat House of Representatives, both elected at the same time by universal suffrage to serve a four-year term - Last Election - April 2007 - Next Election Due - 2011 - Head of State - President elected by universal suffrage to serve a four year term. - Head of Government - President and commander-in-chief, Umaru Yar’Adua.

Economic

 

GDP - US$116.4 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Real GDP growth – 5.6% (2006 EIU estimate) - Exports - US$58.9 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Imports - US$27.5 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Current account balance - US$15.7 billion (2006 EIU estimate) - Gross external debt - US$6.5billion (2006 EIU estimate)

New Zealand Trade

NZ Exports (FOB) - NZ$228.96 million (year ending December 2008) - Main Exports - milk and cream (49%); malt extract (32%) - NZ Imports (CIF) - NZ$145,034 (year ending December 2008) - Main Imports - collections of zoological interest (85%); precious and semi-precious stones (excluding diamonds) (7%)

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Visits

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon attended President Obasanjo’s inauguration ceremony in Abuja on 29 May 1999. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff attended the December 2003 CHOGM in Abuja. The New Zealand High Commissioner in London who is accredited to Nigeria presented credentials in May 2007.top of page

Representation

• New Zealand is accredited to Nigeria through the New Zealand High Commission in London.
• Nigeria is accredited to New Zealand from Canberra.

Travel advice

The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Nigeria [external link].

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