Nigeria

Official Name: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Location: West Africa
Capital: Abuja
Largest City: Lagos

Geography:

Area: ~923,769 km² (32nd largest country).
Borders: Benin (west), Niger (north), Chad (northeast), Cameroon (east).
Southern coastline along the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean).
Diverse landscapes: savannas, tropical forests, Sahel region, Niger and Benue rivers, Niger Delta.

Population:

Over 225 million (2025), Africa’s most populous country and the world’s sixth-most populous.
Very young population; median age under 20 years.
Hundreds of ethnic groups; largest are Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo.

Languages:

Official: English (due to colonial history).
Major regional languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Tiv, Ibibio, Fulfulde, and many more (over 500 languages spoken).

Government:

Economy:

Largest economy in Africa (nominal GDP).
Major industries: petroleum and natural gas (key export), agriculture, telecommunications, banking, entertainment (Nollywood).
Member of African Union (AU), OPEC, ECOWAS, Commonwealth.

History:

Ancient kingdoms and empires: Nok culture, Benin Empire, Hausa city-states, Oyo Empire.
Colonized by Britain in the 19th century.
Gained independence on 1 October 1960.
Experienced civil war (1967–1970) and military rule.
Transitioned to democratic governance in 1999.

Culture:

Rich diversity in traditions, music (Afrobeat, Highlife, Afropop), dance, literature (Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie).
Film industry: Nollywood is one of the world’s largest by output.
Cuisine: jollof rice, suya, pounded yam, egusi soup, akara.
Popular sports: football (soccer is the national passion), basketball, athletics.
Major festivals: Durbar festival, Osun-Osogbo, cultural carnivals, religious celebrations (Eid, Christmas).

Symbols: