In the past 30 years, Nigeria has earned $280 billion in oil revenue. But in the last 25 years, income for average Nigerians has fallen 40 percent. In addition, corrupt governments have piled up some $30 billion in foreign debt (which Nigerians are demanding be forgiven.) The basic problem in Nigeria is corruption at all levels of government. Nearly everyone either takes bribes, or is open to such offers. There is little trust in government institutions, and even vigilante organizations formed to deal with out of control crime, soon becomes corrupt.
