DFID's programme in Nigeria : eighth report of session 2008-09, Vol. 1: Report, together with formal minutes

The Department for International Development (DFID) funding for Nigeria for 2009-10 is GBP 120 million, up from GBP 20 million in 2001-02, making it DFID's fourth largest programme in Africa.

The need is clear: half the population still lives in poverty; 20 per cent of Africa's poor people are Nigerian; one child in five dies before it reaches its fifth birthday; Nigeria has 2 per cent of the world's population but suffers 10 per cent of maternal deaths; and, it has the highest number of children who are not enrolled in school of any country in the world, the majority of whom are girls.

Oil wealth has distorted the economy and has discouraged growth in other sectors.

Competition for a share of oil wealth dominates politics, feeds corruption, and diverts attention away from improving governance, management of public finances and delivery of basic services, all of which suffered under 30 years of military rule.

Religious and ethnic diversity contribute to regional disparities in wealth and sometimes give rise to conflict and violence. DFID's programme focuses on building the capacity of the Federal, State and local government in Nigeria to provide the services which its people need and to do this in a transparent way with proper systems for accountability.

DFID's approach of operating only in selected States where the government has shown willingness to reform.

Its work is having a significant impact in demonstrating what can be achieved, but change is likely to be incremental and slow until the Nigerian authorities provide stronger leadership for reform.

For "Volume 2, Oral & Written Evidence", see ISBN 9780215541352.