John Campbell argues, "Only genuine reform of Nigeria's political economy can pull it back from the brink."

While widening violence by Nigeria's Islamist group Boko Haram has caused concerns about its possible links to international terrorist groups, some experts argue it's best to focus on addressing the crippling poverty, political corruption, and police abuses that are at the root of the violence.

John Campbell, CFR’s Ralph Bunche senior fellow for Africa policy studies, discusses the recent escalation of violence by Nigeria’s radical Islamic movement, Boko Haram, and analyzes strategies to undermine the threat. This call was part CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

John Campbell says diplomacy and democracy--not firepower--is the best way to undermine Nigeria's growing Islamist threat.

John Campbell and Asch Harwood discuss the challenges facing Nigeria's newly elected president, Goodluck Jonathan.

John Campbell says both Norway and Nigeria offer lessons for the Arab Spring countries on how to handle oil revenues.

CFR's John Campbell discusses the increased religious violence that has occurred in the wake of Nigeria's elections, as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Initiative.

John Campbell argues that the elections in Nigeria reveal the need for the United States and its allies to reach out to Nigeria's North.

Following reports of substantial rigging in Nigeria's April 16 presidential elections, John Campbell, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, says the issue is not whether Jonathan would have won the elections "anyway," but rather the sentiment among Northerners that the PDP yet again stole the elections.

Following Goodluck Jonathan's victory in Nigeria's April 16 presidential elections, John Campbell, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses the implications for political power sharing in a divided country.

The apparent victory of incumbent Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria's presidential elections brings charges of fraud and ballot stuffing, similar to past flawed polls, writes CFR's John Campbell. It also deepens concerns about heightened rifts between Christians and Muslims.

CFR's John Campbell discusses the upcoming elections in Nigeria, as well as policy recommendations from his book "Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink," as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

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John Campbell says clarifying the distinction between the north and the south in Nigeria is relevant to understanding the debates and conflicts around who will be Nigeria's next president.

John Campbell says that the nomination of Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria's presidential candidate places an even stronger premium on the credibility of the April 2011 elections.

These teaching notes, by author and CFR Senior Fellow John Campbell, feature discussion questions and additional projects for educators to supplement the use of the CFR book Nigeria: Dancing on the Brink in the classroom. In this book, Ambassador Campbell examines the country's postcolonial past and offers policy options for the United States to help promote political, social, and economic development in Nigeria.

Nigerian author and Brown University professor, Chinua Achebe, writes an op-ed piece in order to "restore the postcolonial dream of political liberty."

John Campbell reflects on the 2009 "underwear bomber" incident, and how it revealed the need for Americans to understand religion in Nigeria.

CFR Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies John Campbell discusses the relations between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. Campbell emphasizes that where religious divisions correspond to ethnic and economic differences, conflict often acquire a religious coloration.

CFR's Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies highlights examples of Nigerian civil society organizations. These organizations, Campbell says, have a significant "name and shame" role to play in impelling the country towards democracy.

Nigeria's upcoming presidential elections will upset the country's power sharing system. CFR's Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies cautions that campaign appeals to ethnicity and religion coupled with elections that lack credibility may destabilize the country.