African news : breaking news, features, analysis

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to stop their "unruly behaviour" to achieve progress.

In an address to mark 55 years of independence from British rule, he said Nigerians would have to "face squarely" the economic crisis caused by the sharp fall in oil prices.

It would require "prudent house-keeping", and tackling corruption in the oil sector, Mr Buhari added.

It was his first address to the nation since becoming president in May.

"We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices," Mr Buhari said.

"To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens," he added.

Mr Buhari strongly defended his failure to appoint a cabinet some four months after taking office, saying he did not want to act in a "haphazard" way.

"Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate," he said.

The list has not yet been made public.

Mr Buhari is the first Nigerian to become president after defeating the incumbent in elections.

He beat Goodluck Jonathan by a comfortable margin in the March polls.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but most of its citizens are poor.

The 72-year-old is first Nigerian opposition candidate to win a presidential election

Military ruler of Nigeria from 1984 to 1985 until deposed in a coup

Poor human rights record during that time and a disciplinarian - civil servants late for work had to do frog jumps

Appointed petroleum minister in 1976 and then chair of the newly created NNPC state oil firm

Under Gen Sani Abacha in the 1990s, was chair of Petroleum Trust Fund that undertook development projects

A Muslim from northern Nigeria, he is seen as incorruptible