( CNN ) Nigerians go to the polls Saturday to determine who will lead Africa 's most populous nation . The stakes are high in this election as the nation faces intensified attacks by extremist group Boko Haram . With security catapulting into a key issue , which candidate will voters trust to keep them safe ? As Nigeria decides , here 's what you need to know : . Nigeria is home to about 173 million people and is considered a powerhouse in the region . Its stability is crucial to combating the growing risk of Islamist terrorists , who thrive on instability . As Boko Haram seeks to extend its tentacles with its recent pledge of allegiance to ISIS , Nigeria has teamed up with neighboring Chad and Cameroon in a counteroffensive against the terror group . And it appears to be working , with its military saying it has recaptured several key cities from the militants . The next leader will have to ensure the gains stay on track . As we have learned with ISIS in Iraq and Syria , any unaddressed local insurgency has the potential to spiral into an international problem . And let 's face it , the world does not need another failing state , especially one with such a massive population . Nigeria is also one of Africa 's largest oil producers and is a major supplier of crude oil to the United States . It hosts many international oil companies and workers . The key issues are power , security and the economy . But with the rise of Boko Haram , security has taken center stage . Just this year alone , the extremists have killed at least 1,000 civilians , Human Rights Watch says . One of the militants ' most brutal acts was the kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls last April , a majority of whom are still missing . Boko Haram has become increasingly brazen , seizing towns in bloody attacks and declaring them Islamic caliphates . Militants have bombed schools , churches and mosques ; kidnapped women and children ; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders alike . Although the current government is `` having successes here and there '' in its fight against Boko Haram , it 's not winning the war against the terror group , says Ayo Johnson , a documentary filmmaker and analyst on African affairs . And despite recapturing some key towns from militants , he says , the government 's big picture on security is still hazy . `` This elections will come down to who can protect Nigeria , '' Johnson says . `` Who can make Nigerians feel safe . '' Nigeria overtook South Africa as the region 's largest economy last year . The government has made tremendous gains on the economy , Johnson says , but those gains have been buried under the constant threat of Boko Haram . But many complain that the country 's vast wealth from oil exports does not trickle down to the average citizen . As many as 70 % of Nigerians live below the poverty line and survive on less than a dollar a day , according to the CIA World Factbook . Nigeria is under economic pressure because of falling crude oil prices worldwide and a weakened currency . Corruption has been a hindrance to building a stable economy despite years of democracy , analysts say . There are 14 candidates on the ballot , but the race is more of a rematch between the current president and a former military ruler . The two faced off in the last election in 2011 . President Goodluck Jonathan : . Jonathan rode a wave of popularity in 2011 . At the time , he portrayed himself as a man of the people . During campaigns , he talked about growing up without shoes , a message that resonated with average Nigerians . But in recent years , his popularity has plummeted , with Nigerians saying he has not delivered on his promises for change . Key officials have defected from his ruling People 's Democratic Party to the newly formed All Progressives Congress . Muhammadu Buhari : . The retired general has unsuccessfully run for election three times . Buhari ruled Nigeria in the 1980s following a military coup and was known for his tough regime , which some say was marked by human rights abuses . But he has pledged to make fighting graft and insecurity a priority if he wins , which might appeal to those who 've run out of patience with the current government . His military rule background could be a plus or a minus . `` Many Nigerians will not forget he was a military leader , during a dictatorship , '' Johnson says . `` Or maybe they will feel that they need a military leader to address fundamental problems such as terrorism . '' The election was originally scheduled for February 14 , but was delayed for six weeks . In addition to the presidential elections , Nigerians will elect governors in 36 states . Like their U.S. counterparts , the nation 's governors have a lot of clout . Not only do they set priorities for federal funds , they are also responsible for security in their states and are thus the first line of defense against extremists , especially in the North , where militants have free rein . In populated cities such as Lagos , governors manage economies larger than those of some African countries . To avoid a runoff , a candidate must get more than 50 % of the vote and at least a quarter in two-thirds of the states . If no candidate wins , a runoff election will be held seven days later . CNN 's Christian Purefoy contributed to this report .
The election was delayed for Saturday . It comes as the nation battles extremist group Boko Haram .