Nigeria is one of the most culturally fascinating countries in the world! Known for being vibrant and full of hard-working people, it’s a nation that’s always fascinated me. And, in my search for facts and figures about the nation, I soon found that there is so much to learn about this West African country!
From the incredible music, litreature, films, and artwork to the amazing food and valuable exports, I couldn’t possibly cover absolutely everything that makes Nigeria interesting, but I’ve done my best to round up some crucial facts about the country you might find intriguing.
Here are some interesting facts about Nigeria you’ll want to remember.
1. Nigeria is bordered by several countries.
Nigeria is a beautiful and culturally rich country in West Africa. It is bordered by Niger toward the north, Chad along to the northeast, Cameroon toward the east, and Benin out to the west. It also has a coastline along the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
If you’re planning on visiting the country, you need to change your money to the local currency, which is the Nigerian Naira.
2. It’s a member of several important organizations.
The country plays an important role in African and global politics, being a member of organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), .
3. Nigeria is easy to find with a compass.
If you’re looking for a wonderful safari adventure, head for the coordinates of 9.0820° N, 8.6753° E to find yourself in Nigeria!
4. Nigeria has a highly varied landscape.
The terrain here features vast southern lowlands, whilst the southeast boasts beautiful mountains, the north is covered mostly by plains and the centre of this wonderful country comprises hills and plateaus.
The tallest mountain in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi, which has the fitting nickname of “The Mountain of Death!” It measures a staggering 7,936 feet or 2,419 metres. You’ll find it toward the Cameroon border.
5. Nigeria is a pretty large country – even for Africa.
Africa’s home to some seriously massive countries, and Nigeria is just one of them –the total land area of Nigeria is around 356,669 square miles (that’s 923,768 square kilometres)… so, more than three times the size of Italy!
As of 2024, Nigeria has over 218 million people living there, which makes it by far the most populated country in Africa and even the sixth most populated country on the planet. It follows Pakistan, Indonesia, the USA, China, and India.
There are between 250 and 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria, too – the three largest and most influential are the Hausa-Fulani to the north, the Yoruba toward the southwest, and the Igbo down in the southeast.
6. Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria.
Abuja is a bustling city that covers an area of 275 square miles (713 square kilometres). As of 2024, the city has a population of over four million people – under half the population of London, UK, for reference.
However, it has only been the country’s capital city for a few decades. Abuja was officially declared the capital of Nigeria in 1991, replacing Lagos. That being said, Lagos is still the most populated city in Nigeria, and indeed in all of Africa, with over 16 million inhabitants in 2024. That’s six million more residents than there are in London!
7. Temperatures here can and will vary.
Nigeria’s climate varies throughout this vast country. The south experiences an equatorial climate, which moves to tropical in the centre and arid in the north.
The country experiences both rainy and dry seasons, both of which are very important for managing agriculture in the nation… but more on that later!
8. The Third Mainland Bridge is something of a record-breaker.
The Third Mainland Bridge, connecting Lagos to the mainland, is one of the longest bridges in Africa. It measures around 7.3 miles or 11.8 km long, and was in fact the longest bridge on the continent until 1996.
Two other bridges connect Lagos to mainland Africa – the other two are the Carter and the Eko. This bridge, however, is easily the longest of the three.
9. Nigeria is replete with wildlife.
There are many species of wildlife endemic to Nigeria, including the Sclater’s Guenon (a very cute monkey) and the Ibadan Marimba (a beautiful small black and red bird).
The country’s also a natural home for several species of hippo, leopard, lion, bat, elephant, manatee, and hyena. It’s a fantastic place to go on safari.
10. It is a country of many languages.
English is known widely as the official language of Nigeria, and is also the language that is most commonly used for government uses, business across the nation, and even education. However, English is by no means the only language spoken in Nigeria!
Believe it or not, there are over 525 native languages still spoken in Nigeria! The indigenous languages differ from region to region, but if you want to visit the country any time soon, it might be worth brushing up on a few of the native tongues.
11. Nigeria is also home to several religions.
There are two major religions that dominate most parts of Nigeria. They are Islam and Christianity.
The northern regions of Nigeria are predominantly Muslim, while the southern regions are mostly Christian. There are also many indigenous religious practices across the country.
Interestingly, despite the country’s serious religious diversity, many Nigerians practice religious tolerance. In fact, interfaith marriages are not unheard of in certain regions of the country!
12. Nigeria has a large economy.
As of 2024, Nigeria reportedly has the fourth-largest economy in all of Africa! Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the biggest sector of the economy is resource extraction. This includes the extractions of crude oil, coal, and natural gas.
I was further surprised to learn that Nigeria is one of the world’s top oil producers and clearly has significant reserves of natural gas.
13. Agriculture is also very important for Nigeria’s economy.
As important as the extraction of natural resources is, agriculture is also incredibly important in Nigeria, both for feeding the country and for contributing to the economy!
In fact, nearly 38% of the Nigerian population is employed in agriculture – it’s an industry that’s unlikely to dwindle any time soon.
The main things that are grown in Nigeria include maize, yam beans, rice, sorghum, palm oil, and cocoa beans.
14. It’s a highly litreate nation.
Nigeria has a very rich litreary history. Some of the most famous writers from this magnificent country include Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka (the first-ever African person to win the Nobel Prize in Litreature), Ben Okri, and Chimamanda Ngozi.
If you don’t recognise any of these important names, you might recognise some of their works, such as Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, Half of a Yellow Sun, and Stay With Me.
15. Nollywood puts Nigeria’s filmmakers on the global stage.
Nigeria’s film industry is so big it even has its own name! Nollywood reportedly turns around more than a thousand different movies a year – it’s a wonder they haven’t run out of ideas yet!
Some of the most famous Nollywood films include Lionheart, Gangs of Lagos, Isoken, Up North, and Fifty.
16. Nigeria is a haven for music lovers.
Nigeria has a highly diverse and influential music scene, encompassing genres such as Afrobeat, pioneered by Fela Kuti, as well as Afropop, highlife, juju, and hip-hop.
If you are interested in learning more about Nigerian music and happen to be traveling here, you might want to participate in Felabration, a week-long festival celebrating the music and iconic life of Fela Kuti! There’s also the Lagos International Jazz Festival, the Gidi Culture Festival, and many more – there’s lots for music lovers to get into here.
17. Nigeria is an independent country.
In 1960, Nigeria finally gained its independence from Britain, an independence the country has proudly maintained.
Nigeria was under British rule for 60 years, the colonial period beginning in 1900. This is largely why most people in Nigeria speak English as an official language.
That said, it hasn’t always been plain sailing since the end of colonial rule here. The country has experienced both military and civilian rule since independence. However, it returned to democratic governance in 1999 after a series of military coups.
18. The country experienced a terrible Civil War.
Tragically, from 1967 to 1970, Nigeria experienced a bloody Civil War, otherwise known to many as the Biafran War. The conflicts took place mainly between the Nigerian government and the secessionist state of Biafra in the southeastern region.
It was estimated that between 500,000 and three million people died during the war – it’s a period of time that many look back on to respect the lives of those lost.
19. Nigeria is a federal republic.
Nigeria is officially composed of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It operates under a presidential system of government.
Nigeria’s President at the time of writing is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is the 16th president of the nation and was voted in after serving as the Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. His Party is known as the All Progressiveness Congress.
20. The country has many natural landmarks.
What really inspires me to go traveling around Nigeria is the incredible natural sights – including the world-famous Zuma Rock near Abuja, the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, and the Aso Rock, also in Abuja.
Around these incredible natural landmarks, you’re also likely to come across some of the country’s wonderful wildlife! Thankfully, the country also has several national parks to protect its beautiful beasts, including Yankari National Park, Cross River National Park, and Gashaka-Gumti National Park, which are home to elephants, lions, chimpanzees, and many other species.
21. Education is very important here.
Nigeria is also known for having multiple educational institutions, including the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, and Obafemi Awolowo University, which are among the oldest and most prestigious in the country.
Thankfully, it seems more and more people will be able to attend school in Nigeria as the country’s litreacy rate is improving. This is largely due to government and non-governmental efforts to boost access to education, particularly for impoverished girls and those living in rural areas.
22. Nigeria has some incredible food!
Nigerian food is known for its rich and diverse flavours. Popular dishes include jollof rice, pounded yam, egusi soup, suya (spicy meat skewer), and akara (bean cakes).
Nigeria has also produced some of the World’s best chefs including Fregz, Alex Oke, Cupid, and Stone.
A great place to start exploring Nigerian cuisine from afar is to check out related hashtags on Instagram and TikTok – you might just find a recipe or two you enjoy!
23. Nigeria is a nation of soccer lovers.
Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Nigeria. The Nigerian national team, known by millions as the Super Eagles, has won the Africa Cup of Nations multiple times and has qualified for the FIFA World Cup several times over. Their best performance in the World Cup came in 1994, 1998, and 2014 – as they finished in the top 16 each time.
Some of the most famous Nigerian football players from over the years include Nwankwo Kanu, Mikel John Obi, Vincent Enyeama, and Obafemi Martins.
24. There are multiple cultural festivals that unfold across Nigeria.
Nigeria hosts many traditional festivals every year that go beyond music alone! People across the country make a big effort to celebrate the cultural heritage of its various ethnic groups. Notable festivals include the Durbar festival in the north, the Osun-Osogbo festival in the southwest, and the New Yam festival in the southeast.
25. It’s a country well known for its waterways, too.
Nigeria has some incredible lakes and rivers. Some of the major rivers in the country famously include the Niger and Benue Rivers, which converge at Lokoja.
Sadly, Lake Chad, once a significant body of water in the northeast, has significantly shrunk over the years. The lake shrank over time, mostly due to reduced rainfall. The shrinkage is also due to its water being overused and, of course, climate change.
26. Oil is a source of income and issues.
As mentioned above, Nigeria has significant oil reserves, primarily located in the Niger Delta region. The oil industry is obviously a major contributor to the country’s economy.
However, as you can imagine, it has also been a source of environmental and social issues. Sadly, Nigeria still faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and pollution, particularly in the Niger Delta due to oil spills, which is what makes oil a source of political, social, and environmental issues both in the country and outside of it.
27. The country has undergone serious urbanization.
Nigeria has urbanized itself rather quickly! Cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt have experienced significant population growth and development.
Tragically, the country still struggles with serious poverty levels – but, thankfully, the country has a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lagos, in particular, is becoming a hub for startups and tech companies.
28. Nigeria is known for its beautiful, traditional fashion.
Naturally, traditional Nigerian clothing is actually a very broad term. The traditional clothing itself varies from region to region and by ethnicity.
Some of the most famous garments from certain traditional Nigerian items of clothing include the agbada and buba for men and the iro and buba for women, often made from brightly coloured fabrics.
29. The country has a huge diaspora.
Interestingly, around two million Nigerians live abroad, and much of the country’s natives live in other African countries. Nigerian emigrants appear to mostly leave for countries such as the United Kingdom, the US, and Canada.
However, the diaspora is actually very important for Nigeria as it contributes to the country’s economy thanks to remittances!
People who stay in Nigeria are mostly young people! Over 40% of the inhabitants of Nigeria are under the age of 14 – making it one of the youngest nations on the continent.
30. Many Nigerians still use traditional medicine.
One of the most interesting things about Nigeria is that many people still commonly use traditional medicine and healing practices. They use these techniques with modern medical practices to essentially get the best of both worlds – and it seems to be working, for the most part!
FAQs About Nigeria
What is Nigeria famous for?
Nigeria is known for its incredible cuisine, stunning landscapes, vibrant lifestyles, and very creative people. Sadly, it is also known for its current environmental impact, largely due to oil extraction.
What is Nigeria rich in?
Nigeria is rich in crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, and natural gas. All of these are very important for the country’s economy, as mentioned above.
Is Nigeria safe for tourists?
Sadly, Nigeria is not considered one of the safest places to travel. It is best to travel here with someone who knows the areas well. If that isn’t possible, try to be careful about where you go, and what you carry on your person.
Do you know any fun facts about Nigeria? Share them in the comments below!
Further reading
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nigeria
https://immigration.gov.ng/visa_group/this-is-the-visa-group/