Where we do it > Nigeria

Facts & Figures Population: 148 million Capital city: Abuja GDP per capita: $1,128 HDI ranking: 158 out of 177 countries * Life expectancy: 47

Country background

Nigeria is one of VSO’s longest running programmes. Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and a vibrant country with huge potential. The current areas of VSO Nigeria’s work are HIV and AIDS, education and secure livelihoods and national volunteering. In recent years VSO’s involvement in Nigeria has also extended to six successful Global Xchange programmes for Nigerian and British youths.

HIV and AIDS

Nigeria is now the country with the second highest number of people infected with HIV and AIDS. More effort is required in the prevention of further infection, and the treatment and care of the estimated three million Nigerians between the ages of 15-49 living with HIV & AIDS. To address the need for greater awareness about prevention and to reduce the spread of HIV & AIDS volunteers are working with the government, international and local non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations. Volunteers with backgrounds in areas such as organisational development, communications and advocacy are developing management structures; facilitating networking among different organisations; developing public communications strategies and promoting the inclusion of HIV & AIDS awareness activities in schools.

Education

Like many developing countries Nigeria’s education system faces the challenges of strengthening teachers qualifications, and improving education management. VSO’s education activities in Nigeria have sought to meet these challenges by shifting from providing classroom based teaching positions to successfully placing volunteers in management and training roles. Volunteers are working to improve the quality and relevance of education with education managers strengthening the management systems of government institutions in the primary sector and teacher trainers upgrading primary teachers’ qualifications.

Secure Livelihoods

It is often said that it is a paradox that Nigeria is a country rich in oil, yet with a high level of poverty, and it is believed that there has been a loss of technical and business skills, particularly among young people. VSO’s volunteers in the secure livelihoods programme area have worked alongside Nigerian civil society organisations to improve access to employment and food production opportunities for poor communities. Activities of these organisations include promoting small-scale entrepreneurship, encouraging young people and women to take up vocational skills training and raising awareness of ways to increase food production.

VSO believes that people working together out of a sense of community responsibility and shared commitment are a powerful force that can make a major contribution to reducing poverty and promoting development. National volunteering will enhance the activities being carried out in VSO Nigeria’s three programme areas.