Where we work

With more than 230 million people, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and sixth-most populated in the world. It was colonized by England in the mid 1800s before gaining independence in 1960. Only six years later, a civil war broke out. In the decades since, Nigeria has struggled through military dictatorships and attempts to establish a stable democratic government. Even now, though Nigeria democratically elects it’s leaders, most are accused of incompetence and corruption. This helps to explain why, despite massive oil reserves and the largest economy in Africa, one-third of Nigeria’s people live in “extreme poverty” according to the International Monetary Fund. This poverty includes a lack of safe water — resulting in widespread malaria and typhoid fever. There are also vast areas of the country where the government has lost control to armed gangs engaged in killing, kidnapping, robbery, and violence.