Faith and Politics in Nigeria: Nigeria as a Pivotal State in the Muslim World John N. Paden As the most populous country in Africa and a major oil producer, Nigeria has long been recognized as the dominant force in West Africa. But its standing within the broader international arena, especially its comparative position within the Muslim world, has been less well understood. Indeed, does Nigeria's influence and significance extend beyond its immediate regional environment? John N. Paden answers this very question In this volume of the Pivotal States Series, a product of the United States Institute of Peace's Muslim World initiative. He contends that Nigeria is globally significant for a multitude of reasons, not least of which for the political resiliency it has demonstrated despite its complex ethnolinguistic and religious diversity. He argues that Nigeria, with a population that is almost evenly divided between Muslims and Christians, could uniquely serve as both a model for interreligious political accommodation and as a bridging actor in global politics between the West and the Muslim world. John N Paden is Clarence Robinson Professor of International Studies and professor of Public and International Affairs at George Mason University. He has served as an international observer in three Nigerian presidential elections and is the author of numerous volumes, including Muslim Civic Culture and Conflict Revolution: The Challenge of Democratic Federalism in Nigeria