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Table of Contents
Nigeria is a country in West Africa that is bordered by Niger and the Chad Republic in the north, Cameroon to the east, the Benin Republic in the west, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. It is called the Giant of Africa due to its vast size and huge population.
See the fact file below for more information on Nigeria or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Nigeria worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
- The West African country of Nigeria covers an area of 356,669 sq mi (923,769 square kilometers) (almost twice the size of California).
- It has a population of over 218 million, making it the most populated country on the continent of Africa and the world’s sixth most-populated country.
- Nigeria’s capital city is Abuja.
- The currency is the Nigerian naira.
- The official language in Nigeria is English, although there are 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 distinct languages.
- Nigeria’s president (2022), Muhammadu Buhari, took office in May 2015.
Geography
- The River Niger is the longest and largest river in West Africa. It spans about 2,600 mi (4,180 km) from the highlands of Guinea passing through Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria. The drainage basin is 817,600 sq mi (2,117,700 sq km) in area.
- The topography of Nigeria varies immensely. There are lowlands and hills in the southern region, while plateaus are present in the central part of the country.
- Central and south Nigeria experience a tropical climate, while the north is arid.
- The highest point is the peak of Chappal Waddi or Gangirwal, rising to a height of 7936 ft (2,419 mt) above sea level.
- The southernmost tip of Nigeria borders the Atlantic Ocean, which constitutes 530 ml (853 km) of coastline.
- Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups but is dominated by three major tribes, the Hausa-Fulani with 29%, the Yoruba with 21%, and the Ibo (Igbo), which make up 18%.
- On a hill above the village of Sukur in the Adamawa State of Nigeria is the Sukur Cultural Landscape, which became the first in Africa to receive World Heritage List status. The village, with natural terraced fields, is located in the Mandara Mountains near the Cameroon border.
- In 2005, the Osun Sacred Grove in the city of Osogbo became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dense forest features the goddess of fertility, Osun.
History and Politics
- The name Nigeria comes from the Niger River running through the territory.
- Archaeological records show that Nigeria has a long history dating back to 9000 BCE. Experts have found many clay carvings which denote the existence of their culture. Around 1000 CE, the northern cities of Kano and Katsina were the earliest cities in Nigeria. By 1400 CE, the Yoruba Kingdom of Oyo was established in the southwest and flourished until the 19th century.
- In the late 15th century, European traders began establishing ports for slave trading to the Americas. Initially, slaves were captured in coastal communities, but as the demand grew, it became an organized business of local rulers, traders, and military aristocracy. Nigerian slaves were sold in exchange for guns, rum, horses, fine cloth, and other industrial products.
- By the 19th century, it changed to the trading of goods like timber and palm oil.
- In 1885, Nigeria was under the British sphere of influence, and in 1886, the Royal Niger Company was established. The British government took control of the territory in 1900, and by 1914, it became the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
- After WWII, Nigeria began fighting for its independence. The cry materialized in October 1960 when it was established as a federation of three regions under a parliamentary government. However, it proclaimed itself a federal republic with a drafted constitution in 1963.
- Throughout the 1960s, Nigeria experienced political instability and civil wars. By 1977, they drafted a new constitution, but it was blocked by political corruption. In 1983, the Second Republic government was overthrown, and in 1989, the Third Republic faced the same attempts but failed.
- Finally, after years of political instability and military rule, Nigeria began its transition into civilian rule with a new constitution in 1995. Olusegun Obasanjo became the first president of a democratic Nigeria. He improved the nation’s infrastructure and economy.
- Today, Nigeria’s government is a federal republic with a legal system based on English common law, traditional laws, and Islamic law in the northern states with a predominantly Muslim population. The president serves as the chief of state and head of the government as well. The legislative branch has a bicameral National Assembly consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have the Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Appeal for the judiciary. Nigeria is divided into a total of 36 states and one territory for local administration.
- Abuja is the capital city, but Lagos is the largest in terms of population.
- In terms of the economy, 95% of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings come from oil alone, making it the 12th largest oil producer in the world. Other industries include coal, tin, rubber products, columbite, wood, textiles, cement, ceramics, and steel. They are also good producers of cocoa, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, rice, corn, and timber.
- The flag of Nigeria is one of the nation’s national symbols. It was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkumi, a Yoruban electrical engineering student in London, in 1959. His original design had a blazing red sun in the middle of the white bands.
- The flag has three vertical stripes of equal size. The center stripe is white and flanked on both sides by green. The center white stripe represents the Niger River and the nation’s passion for peace and unity. The two green stripes stand for the country’s vegetation and agriculture.
- In terms of religion, Christians in Nigeria mostly live in the southern part of the country, while Muslims mostly populate the north.
- Like much of West African cuisine, traditional food in Nigeria has a lot of spices and herbs with palm or groundnut oil in the sauces, while most soups are often prepared with very hot chili peppers.
Nigerian Culture
- Due to the vastness of ethnic groups, Nigerians speak a variety of languages and practice different customs in different regions of the country.
- One of Nigeria’s distinct customs is not looking directly into someone’s eyes.
Cinema
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- Following Bollywood, Nigeria’s film industry is called Nollywood.
- They are the second largest movie producer in the world with up to 1,500 movie releases each year.
Cuisine
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- Nigerian cuisine is known for its variety and richness. Deeply flavored aromatic soups and sauces are made with a variety of herbs and spices and chili peppers for added heat. Popular street food is suya, a smoked, spiced barbecued meat skewer.
Fashion
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- Nigeria is known for its fashionable textiles and garments, with the fashion industry contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
- Traditional styles are worn for many occasions, and Nigerian fashion designers are gaining more and more international recognition.
Festivals
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- Nigeria is home to many festivals, some dating back hundreds of years.
- More recently, Muslim and Christian festivals are often celebrated in ways that are unique to Nigeria.
Music
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- Many late 20th-century Nigerian musicians have fused elements of various indigenous music with African-American soul and jazz to form Afrobeat which has, in turn, influenced hip hop music.
Flora and Fauna
- Nigeria’s terrain is a combination of distinctive regions, including deserts, mangrove swamps, plains, mountains, and forests.
- In the north, plateaus are covered in savanna, while in the southern region, there are tropical rainforests.
- Nigeria is home to many edible plant species, particularly legume crops such as beans. Also grown and eaten extensively are the Bambara groundnut and the African Yam bean.
- About 7,895 plant species have been documented in Nigeria, with many fruits being produced for the export market.
- The national flower of Nigeria is the Costus Spectabilis, which is a yellow trumpet-shaped flower.
- About 290 species of mammals have been recorded in the country. These include lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, African elephants, African buffaloes, rhinoceroses, antelopes, giraffes, warthogs, hippopotamuses, baboons, and western gorillas.
- Over 900 species of birds inhabit Nigeria.
- The black-crowned crane is the official animal of Nigeria. It is endemic to the country and thought to be a sign of prosperity.
- There are eight national parks in Nigeria, about 14% of the national territory. In northeastern Nigeria, Yankari National Park covers an area of about 866 sq mi (2,244 square km) and contains natural warm water springs.
- Among the endangered species of animals are the West African lion, Cross River Gorilla, Cameroonian Forest Shrew, White-throated guenon, and Red-eared guenon.
Did You Know?
- There are 54 airports in Nigeria.
- It is estimated that over a million Nigerians have emigrated to the United States.
- Nigeria is Africa’s main oil producer. In 2020 it had 18 operating pipelines and an average production of 1.8 million barrels per day. Nigeria is the eleventh largest oil producer worldwide.
Nigeria Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Nigeria across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Nigeria worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Nigeria, which is a country in West Africa that is bordered by Niger and the Chad Republic in the north, Cameroon to the east, the Benin Republic in the west, and the Atlantic Ocean in the south. It is called the Giant of Africa due to its vast size and huge population.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
- Nigeria Facts
- Mapping West Africa
- Crossing Ethnic Groups
- The Giant of Africa
- 7th Place
- Historical Timeline
- Government Facts
- Nigeria Wonders
- States and Flag
- The Ancient City of Nok
- Unusual Tourist
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nigeria famous for?
Nigeria has many claims to fame. It is the largest producer of oil and gas in Africa, and Nigeria is the most populous black nation on Earth. It is also home to the second-largest film industry whilst also being called the fashion, technological and creative hub of Africa.
What are traditional and popular Nigerian foods?
Nigerian food is spicy and tasty. Local dishes include iyan, pounded yam, ewa riro, a porridge made with beans, Beef Suya, thin strips of seasoned barbecued beef, and dodo, which is fried plantain.
What is Nigeria rich in?
Nigeria has significant deposits of oil, iron ore, coal, lead, tin, and zinc. It also has good water resources and rich soil that are good for agriculture.
Does it snow in Nigeria?
No, it does not snow in Nigeria. Nigeria is a tropical country that is hot in summer and mild in winter and will never experience snow.
What do they drink in Nigeria?
Traditional beverages like palm wine, ogogoro ( gin distilled from palm wine), and burukutu (an alcoholic drink made from corn or millet) are still widely brewed and consumed in both rural and urban areas. Beer is the most popular drink in urban settings.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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