Nigeria's dilemma

The economy is struggling, investors are nervous and a ceasefire in the Delta seems to be over, threatening production

A ceasefire announced in August by militants in the Niger delta and higher oil prices have brought optimistic noises from Nigeria's government about raising oil output at the end of a disastrous year. Some progress is plain. But a full recovery is some way off, and threats are re-emerging. Another outbreak of violence has brought an end to the ceasefire in the Delta. The economy in such a mess that the government has mooted selling off prized oil assets-while at the same time suing the international oil firms that might buy them. The oil industry is still far from solid ground. Emmanuel Kachikwu, Nigeria's oil minister, insists output has been rising since militants from the Niger Delta Aven