According to petwithsupplies, the largest cities in Nigeria are found along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The most populous city is Lagos, located in the southwest region of the country. Lagos is a bustling metropolis with a population estimated to be over 21 million people and is home to numerous industries, including oil and gas, banking, and manufacturing. The city serves as an important port for international trade and is home to a vibrant cultural scene, boasting numerous art galleries, museums, theaters, and nightlife venues. The second-largest city in Nigeria is Kano, located in the north-central part of the country. This ancient city has a population estimated at over 4 million people and serves as an important commercial hub for northern Nigeria. Kano is known for its handicrafts which include leatherwork, metalwork, wood carving, pottery making, and weaving. The city also boasts numerous mosques that reflect its Islamic heritage. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and its third-largest city with an estimated population of 3 million people. Located in the center of the country near Jos Plateau National Park, Abuja serves as a major administrative center for national government offices as well as many foreign embassies. This cosmopolitan city offers a vibrant nightlife scene as well as cultural attractions such as its National Mosque and Millennium Park. Other large cities in Nigeria include Ibadan (pop: 2 million), Port Harcourt (pop: 1 million), Benin City (pop: 1 million), Kaduna (pop: 1 million) Zaria (pop: 1 million), Aba (pop: 800 thousand), Warri (pop: 700 thousand), Onitsha (pop: 600 thousand), Maiduguri (pop: 600 thousand). These cities are important commercial centers for their respective regions and offer diverse cultural experiences that attract tourists from all over the world. In 2008, Nigeria was governed by a federal presidential republic, with executive power concentrated in the hands of President Umaru Yar’Adua. The president was elected by popular vote and served a four-year term, with the possibility of reelection for a second term. The legislative branch of government was bicameral, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. The country is divided into 36 states and one Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Each state has its own executive and legislative branches. Local government is also divided into 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), which are further divided into wards. Nigeria had been experiencing political turmoil since the end of military rule in 1999. In 2007, the country held elections to select a new president, but there were allegations of fraud and irregularities that left many Nigerians feeling disenfranchised. As a result, President Yar’Adua faced considerable pressure from both within and outside his party to hold fresh elections in 2008. In addition to domestic issues, Nigeria had to contend with regional tensions due to border disputes with neighboring countries such as Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula. It also faced international criticism for its poor record on human rights violations and its inability to adequately address terrorist threats such as those posed by Boko Haram in the north-eastern part of the country. Nigeria was an active member of numerous international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) and Organization Of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It also had close ties with other African nations through bi-lateral agreements designed to promote trade and security cooperation between countries in the region. Check payhelpcenter for Nigeria in 2008.