22 Interesting Facts About Nigeria

Nigeria, located in West Africa, is the continent’s most populous country, with over 200 million people representing a rich tapestry of ethnicities, cultures, and languages. Its diverse population includes over 250 ethnic groups, with the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo being the largest. Nigeria is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, which is reflected in its music, literature, and art. The country has a mixed economy with substantial oil and gas reserves, making it one of Africa’s largest oil producers. Despite its economic potential, Nigeria faces challenges such as political instability, corruption, and infrastructural deficits. However, its youthful population and dynamic economy offer significant opportunities for growth and development.

1. Nigeria is a sovereign country located in the western part of the African continent. It shares borders with Cameroon in the east, beginning in the west, niger in the north, and the gulf of guinea in the Atlantic ocean to the south.
2. The official name of the country is the federal republic of Nigeria.
3. Nigeria became a British protectorate in the year 1901, while her colonization lasted until 1960 when an independence movement succeeded in gaining her independence. Nigeria first became a republic in the year 1963 but succumbed to military rule just after three years of independence.
4. The former name for Nigeria during the British rule was the Royal Niger Company Territories.
5. Nollywood, the country’s film industry, makes more movies than any other country just next to India. They make around 50 movies a week and 2500 films a year.
6. Lagos city of the country is the biggest city in the entire African continent.
7. Nigeria alone has more than 370 recognized tribes within its population.
8. Nigeria is the 18th most diverse country on the planet earth.
9. Over 51.6% of the country’s total population follows Islam, 46.9% follow Christianity, and 0.6% follow traditional faith.
10. Nigeria is the most populous country in the Africa continent and the 7th most populous country on the planet.
11. The country comes on the 3rd rank in the world in terms of most languages. It has about 516 native languages.
12. Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups and has a variety of traditions and customs. The three largest ethnic groups are the Hausa which constitutes 27.4 percent of the total population, yoruba are 21%, and Igbo are 18%.
13. The country likes social media a lot as in 2019; there were approximately 24.59 million social network users, which is projected to grow to 44.63 million users by the year 2025.
14. The richest man of Africa lives in Nigeria and has a capital worth 8.3 billion. Plus, the country has three other billionaires.
15. Nigeria is the biggest economy in the Africa continent and the 53rdth biggest economy in the world, with a GDP of 47,262.46 crores USD (2022).
16. Nigeria’s biggest exports include crude petroleum ($52.1 billion), petroleum gas ($9.04 billion), nitrogenous fertilizers ($2 billion), refined petroleum ($1.04 billion), and gold ($806 million), with the majority exported to Spain ($9.41 billion), India ($8.2 billion), France ($4.95 billion), the United States ($4.83 billion), and the Netherlands ($4.23 billion).
17. Nigeria’s top imports are refined petroleum ($20.7 billion), wheat ($3.03 billion), cars ($1.24 billion), broadcasting equipment ($852 million), and vaccines, blood, antisera, toxins, and cultures ($845 million), with the majority coming from China ($21.4 billion), Belgium ($7.72 billion), the Netherlands ($6.47 billion), India ($5.43 billion), and the United States ($3.24 billion).
18. Gangirwal is the highest mountain peak in the country, with an elevation of 7,963 ft (2,419 m). It is situated in the Adamawa mountains in a remote corner of Gashaka-Gumti National Park.
19. The black-crowned crane and eagle is the national bird of the country.
20. In the year 2010, 44% of Nigeria’s population was in the age group of 0-14 years, 53.2% population was 15-64 years, and 2.7% population was over 65 years of age.
21. It’s been estimated by the United Nations that by the year 2050, the population of Nigeria will surpass the population of the united states. In the year 2050, the country would have a population of 401 million and will be the 3rd most populous country on the planet.
22. There are about ten pastors in Nigeria that are billionaires in Nigerian currency. The pastors have a net worth of $150 million ~ ₦54b to $3 million ~ ₦1.1b.