May 16, 2006
Nigerian Senate Blocks Obasanjo from Running for Third Term
The Nigerian Senate has rejected a bid by supporters of President Olusegun Obasanjo to change the country's constitution allowing Obasanjo to seek a third term. The move ends months of debate over the future of Africa's most populous country and whether a third term would help propel the reform movement or injure steps toward democracy.

March 10, 2006
Militia Group Poses Growing Threat to Nigerian Oil Industry
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, first emerged as an armed militia group in January 2006 when it launched coordinated attacks on oil installations and held four oil workers hostage for 19 days to protest the Nigerian government and foreign oil companies.

February 24, 2006
Nigerian Oil Crisis Threatens International Production
Militant attacks and kidnappings of foreign workers in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta have forced oil companies to cut production by one-fifth in the world's eighth largest oil exporter.

February 21, 2006
Third Term Rumors Spark Political Debate in Nigeria
Rumors that Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has begun discreet efforts to campaign for a third term in office has outraged his Muslim opponents in the North and led to a widespread national and international debate about how an extension of the one-time military leader's presidency could affect the country's democratic goals.

August 25, 2005
Tensions Mount over Nigeria's Oil Policies
Tensions and violence are escalating in Nigeria over the West African nation's oil supply in the Niger River Delta region and international efforts to tap into it. National Public Radio's Steve Inskeep explored Nigeria for two weeks and provides a report.

Special Report: Photos and reports from Inskeep's trip

May 14, 2004
Hundreds Killed in Ongoing Religious Violence in Nigeria
Thousands of hungry, scared Nigerian Christians in the northern city of Kano sought safety in police stations and military barracks Friday after two weeks of religious fighting across the African nation left hundreds dead.

Rioting Muslims have burned and hacked to death hundreds of people, mostly Christians, to avenge earlier slaying of Muslims.

May 4, 2004
Renewed Violence Kills Scores in Central Nigeria
Militant members of a predominantly Christian tribe attacked a central Nigerian town dominated by a rival Muslim ethnic group, destroying homes and mosques and killing at least 80 people, Nigerian police told news agencies Tuesday.

March 29, 2004
Local Nigerian Elections Marred by Violence
Nigeria's ruling party swept to a predictable victory in weekend local elections amid claims of fraud and a wave of political violence that could endanger the country's fragile five-year-old democracy.

Saturday's polls were preceded by a two-day wave of violence that left almost 50 people reported dead, some shot or macheted at polling stations, according to Reuters. Thousands of police and military were dispatched around the country to maintain order over the weekend.

September 25, 2003
Nigerian Woman Wins Appeal of Stoning Sentence
A court in northern Nigeria ruled Thursday to overturn the conviction of Amina Lawal, a Nigerian woman who had been sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery under the strict auspices of Islamic Sharia law.

The case has been a high-profile test of Nigeria's use of Sharia law since its reintroduction to 12 predominantly Muslim northern states after the end of military rule in 1999.

August 22, 2003
Nearly 100 Feared Dead in Southern Nigerian Clashes
Nearly a week of ethnic warfare in the southern Nigerian oil city of Warri has left an estimated 100 people dead and more than 1,000 others injured, the Nigerian Red Cross told news agencies Friday.

The clashes between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri, two of the main ethnic groups in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, apparently stem from disputes over the distribution of the region's oil wealth and political influence.

August 27, 2003
Nigerian Woman Continues Appeal of Stoning Sentence
Amina Lawal, a Nigerian woman sentenced to death by stoning by an Islamic court for committing adultery, appeared in a heavily guarded courthouse in northern Nigeria Wednesday to continue to appeal her conviction.

August 13, 2003
Liberia's Deposed President Begins Exile in Nigeria
Update: Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor began his second day in exile in southeastern Nigeria on Wednesday, after handing control of his war-torn country to his vice president and in the face of United Nations war crimes charges for his role in Sierra Leone's civil war.

July 12, 2003
During Visit to Nigeria, President Bush Praises President Obasanjo's Regional Leadership
Update: President Bush reached the final leg of his five-country trip across Africa Saturday with a visit to Nigeria's capital city of Abuja. The president called Nigeria a country of "great diversity and great promise" and praised President Olusegun Obasanjo for his regional leadership on key issues such as AIDS and the conflict in Liberia.

May 2, 2003
Nigerian Oil Workers Agree to Release 100 Foreign Hostages
Update: Striking workers on an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria's Niger Delta agreed Friday to release 100 foreign hostages held captive since April 19.

May 1, 2003
Democracy's Challenge in Nigeria
After a new round of elections, Nigeria has re-elected incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ray Suarez looks at the pivotal transfer of power between two civilian governments in a country that has suffered from past decades of military rule.

April 29, 2003
Strikers in Nigeria Seize 100 Foreign Workers
Update: Striking workers on an oil rig off the coast of Nigeria's Niger Delta have taken 100 foreign employees hostage, including 21 Americans, company officials said Thursday.

July 10, 2002
Finding Help for Africa
Ray Suarez reports on the debate over troubles in Africa, the continent's economic future and the challenges that aid workers face as they attempt to assist the people of certain struggling countries.

November 22, 2002
More Than 100 Reported Killed as Riots Spread Across Nigeria
Update: In a wave of renewed violence between Muslim and Christian groups in Nigeria, angry street riots have spread from the northern city of Kaduna to the capital city of Abuja. The violent clashes have already killed at least 105 people, according to Nigerian Red Cross officials.

August 28, 2000
The New Nigeria
President Clinton visits Nigeria, making him the first American president to set foot in the country since President Jimmy Carter's visit in 1978. After a background report, three experts discuss President Clinton's trip to Nigeria.

October 29, 1999
Newsmaker Interview: Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo
Ray Suarez interviews Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on his nation, his new role as president and trade issues.

March 1, 1999
A Triumph for Democracy?
For the first time in 15 years, Nigeria will be ruled by a civilian government. General Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military ruler, easily defeated his opponent in recent presidential elections although questions have surfaced regarding the results.

October 21, 1998
Newsmaker Interview: General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Since assuming head of state powers, General Abdusalami Abubakar has pledged democratic reforms for Nigeria. Charles Krause talks with Nigeria's leader about the pace of reform in his country.

July 21, 1998
Will Nigerians Choose Democracy?
New Nigerian leader Abdulsalami Abubakar said he would end military rule next year in favor of a democratically elected leadership. Following a background report on Abubakar's rise to power, Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations Ibrahim Gambari and Nigerian dissident Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti discuss the proposal for democracy.

July 8, 1998
More Political Unrest in Nigeria
With the death of Moshood Abiola, the imprisoned political leader, Nigeria has been wracked with violent demonstrations. The military ruler, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, called for calm as police throughout the most populous country in Africa were placed on the highest alert. Following a background report, three Nigerian experts discuss the situation.

June 16, 1998
Evaluating Nigeria's Chance for Change
A Clinton administration official discusses recent African issues, including border disputes between Eritrea and Ethiopia as well as the death of Nigeria's General Sani Abacha.

June 9, 1998
Changing of the Guard in Nigeria
Major General Abdusalami Abubakar was sworn in today as Nigeria's new leader. His inauguration follows the sudden and unexpected death of General Abacha, Nigeria's brutal military ruler of the last five years. Following a background report, experts discuss Nigeria's new regime and its implications for Africa's most populous country.

March 24, 1998
Africa's Path to New Growth
In an overall look at issues affecting Africa's future, experts discuss whether Africa's economic growth and political stability signal a renaissance.

June 12, 1996
Controlling Nigeria's Chaos
Oil-rich Nigeria is a country gripped by lawlessness and political violence. Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights John Shattuck, who visited the troubled nation recently, talks to Charlayne Hunter-Gault about possible measures directed at the repressive military regime and admits that an oil embargo is not out of the question.

January 18, 1996
Nigeria: Troubled Giant
Nigeria U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington talks to Charlayne Hunter-Gault about the political climate in Nigeria since the execution of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others in November, and efforts by the U.S. and other nations to facilitate change.

November 10, 1995
Leading Nigerian Human Rights Activist Executed
A report on the execution of human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his associates
in Nigeria, an act that has been denounced in the United States and around the world.