Nigeria is a country located in West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa and has one of the largest economies on the continent.

Geography

Location: West Africa

Coordinates: Approximately 9.0820° N, 8.6753° E

Area: About 923,769 square kilometers.

Borders:

• North: Niger
• South: Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea)
• East: Chad and Cameroon
• West: Benin

Climate:

Varies from equatorial in the south, tropical in the center, and arid in the north.

Topography:

Includes plateaus in the central part, lowlands and coastal plains in the south, and the northern desert region.

Elevation:

The highest peak is Chappal Waddi, at an elevation of 2,419 meters.

Natural Resources:

Includes oil, natural gas, coal, tin, limestone, iron ore, lead, zinc, and arable land.

Land Use:

37% agriculture, 13% forests, 50% built-up areas, and other uses.

Population Distribution:

Population density is concentrated in major urban areas such as Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan.

Population and Society

Population: Approximately 223 million (2024 estimate).

Ethnic Groups:

Includes Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo, and over 250 other ethnic groups.

Languages:

English is the official language. Major regional languages include Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.

Religions:

Christianity (in the south and central regions), Islam (in the north), and indigenous beliefs.

Age Structure:

Nigeria has a very young population, with a median age of about 18 years.

Population Growth Rate:

Approximately 2.5% annually.

Country

Country Name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

Common Name: Nigeria

Reason for Name: Derived from the Niger River, which flows through the country.

Type of Government: Federal Republic

Capital: Abuja

Reason for Naming Capital: Abuja was chosen as a neutral city in the center of the country, replacing Lagos as the capital in 1991.

Local Time: West Africa Time (UTC+1).

Daylight Saving Time: Not observed.

Administrative Divisions: 36 states and 1 Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).

Territories: None.

Independence: Gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.

Citizenship Acquisition: Through birth in Nigeria, legal residency, or naturalization.

Legal System: Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in the north), and customary law.

Executive Branch: The President is both the head of state and government.

Legislative Branch: National Assembly consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and other federal courts.

Political Parties: All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and others.

Flag Description: A vertical tricolor of green, white, and green representing agriculture and peace.

Country Code: NGA

Economy

GDP: Approximately $510 billion USD.

Agricultural and Animal Products: Cassava, yams, cocoa, peanuts, cattle, poultry.

Industries: Includes oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, and textiles.

Budget: Deficit due to high government spending and lower oil revenues.

Exports: Crude oil, natural gas, cocoa, and rubber.

Imports: Machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, and food products.

Foreign Reserves: Approximately $38 billion.

External Debt: About $40 billion.

Local Currency: Nigerian Naira (NGN).

Communications

Landlines: About 100,000 lines.

Mobile Lines: About 200 million lines.

Country Code: +234

Broadcast Media: Includes national television stations, regional radio stations, and private media outlets.

Internet Code: .ng

Internet Users: Approximately 122 million people.

Transportation

National Air Transport System: Developing network of airports and airlines.

Airports: Over 54 airports, including major international airports in Lagos and Abuja.

Helipads: Some in use, particularly in urban areas and oil-rich regions.

Pipelines: Extensive network for oil and gas transport.

Railroads: About 3,500 kilometers of railways, with expansion ongoing.

Road Network: Includes over 193,000 kilometers of roads, though infrastructure is in need of improvement.

Ports: Major ports include Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.

Military

Military Composition: Includes the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Military Spending: Approximately $2.7 billion USD annually.

Military and Security Personnel: About 120,000 active duty members.

Military Equipment: Includes fighter jets, warships, armored vehicles, and small arms.

Military Service Age: 18 years and above.