Article: Middle East & Africa: Nigeria - At The Mercy Of Debt - Nigeria's Finance Minister Is Campaigning Hard For Debt Relief For The Country And Finding Plenty Of Sympathy But Little Action So Far. James Eades Reports.(Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala)

Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is on the road to convince the country's creditors to forgive its debts. Two months into the year hailed by many as the year of Africa, the timing arguably could not be better. But she is finding that a sympathetic hearing does not necessarily equate with actual debt relief. Given Nigeria's pivotal place on the continent - the most populated, the second largest economy south of the Sahara and the crucial development node for all of West Africa - Dr Okonjo-Iweala campaign's for debt relief will be watched keenly to see whether the rhetoric of a better dispensation for Africa is translated into actions.

In April ...