hip of primordial spirits, dead ancestors, and spirits of places, is practiced, especially in rural areas (Metz, 1991)With a population of more than 100 million people, there are 250 to 400 or more recognized ethnic groups, many of which are divided into subgroups of considerable social and political importance. There are a huge number of languages spoken in Nigeria, estimated at between 350 and 400. Most important are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. English is the official language used in government, large-scale business, mass media, and education beyond primary school" (Metz, 1991). The state and local governments are responsible for the primary education (six-year program). The responsibility for secondary education is shared by the federal and state governments. There are also some private schools of Muslim and Christian faith. "In 1990 between 150,000 and 200,000 were enrolled in thirty-five colleges, universities, and higher technical schools" (Metz, 1991, section 1 of 1). Approximity 61 percent of the female adult population is illiterate in Nigeria compared to 37.7 percent of the male adult population (Oduaran & Okukpon, 1997).The major health problems reported in 1991 to effect Nigerians included cerebrospinal meningitis, yellow fever, Lassa fever, AIDS, malaria, guinea worm, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and malnutrition among young children (Metz, 1991). Medical establishments are owned by federal, state, and local governments and private groups. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria in 1988 consitituted the highest percent of GDP coming from agriculture, represented by 39.1, followed by industry represented by 10 percent (Metz, 1991). Products produced in Nigeria range from palm oil, peanuts, rubber, petroleum, wood, hides and skins to food products, textiles, cement, building materials, footwear, chemical products, ceramics, small appliances (Metz, 1991). Nigerias major trading partners are with the United St...
