Northern Nigeria has some of the worst human development indicators in the world -- and as the military struggles to stop the spread of attacks from Boko Haram 's base in the northeast , the militant group is winning perhaps its most important battle : making Nigerians question the competency of their government . Nigeria is battling an Islamist insurgency that has claimed many lives since 2011 . Boko Haram is fighting for stricter Sharia law in Nigeria 's predominately Muslim north . Opposition groups have blamed both Boko Haram and the military for atrocities against civilians . Oil - rich Nigeria is a key U.S. partner and the economic powerhouse of West Africa .
Nigeria is battling an Islamist insurgency that has claimed many lives since 2011 . Boko Haram is fighting for stricter Sharia law in Nigeria 's predominately Muslim north . Opposition groups have blamed both Boko Haram and the military for atrocities against civilians . Oil - rich Nigeria is a key U.S. partner and the economic powerhouse of West Africa .