The Causes of Instability in Nigeria and Implications for the United States

Nigeria is one of the pivotal states of Africa and is extremely important to U.S. diplomatic and economic interests on that continent. However, Americans' general lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of Nigeria undercuts our interactions with this crucial state to the detriment of both sides. Indeed, it is difficult to understand Nigeria, since it is a swirling paradox of riches and poverty, growth and stagnation, international influence and domestic paralysis, cultural diversity, and ethnic and religious clashes.For that reason, I am pleased to present this monograph, which seeks to reveal Nigeria to outsiders. It explores a key way to understand Nigeria through its political economy, which gives more nuanced insight into its entrenched problems, and thus offers better approaches by which the U.S. Government, and especially its military, can play a constructive role in maintaining the stability and integrity of Nigeria.