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ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's vice president on Thursday urged citizens of Africa's most populous country to provide better guidance to its youth after one of its own was accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner.

The OPEC member is desperate to convince the world Nigeria is a safe place and that its 140 million citizens should not be punished for the actions of suspected plane bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab.

"Yes we have our social problems but certainly not suicide bombing. This is completely alien to Nigeria," Vice President Goodluck Jonathan told a news conference in the capital Abuja.

Since Monday the United States has implemented tighter security measures for Nigerian air travellers, prompting warnings from Nigeria that this could jeopardise bilateral ties.

People flying from Nigeria to the United States must undergo the same checks now as people from Iran, Afghanistan and Cuba.

The United States is Nigeria's largest trade partner by far, accounting for nearly 45 percent of its exports, mainly crude oil, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Abdulmutallab, 23, was indicted by a U.S. grand jury on Wednesday on six counts related to the Christmas Day attack on a Detroit-bound airliner carrying nearly 300 people.

Jonathan, who has been representing President Umaru Yar'Adua at official functions while the leader is in hospital overseas, urged "improved guidance and support for Nigerian youths, particularly those in the creative arts and sports".