Nigeria is a country in West Africa, bordered by Niger and Chad to the north, Cameroon to the east, the Republic of Benin to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with more than 170 million inhabitants. This means that one in seven Africans is Nigerian. Geographically, the Nigerian terrain changes from the high plains with savannas in the north to the oil-rich Niger Delta in the south down to the rainforest belt region towards the coast. Despite the uncertainty and some mild political instability the country is facing, there are some interesting facts about Nigeria that are worth noting. AnswersAfrica brings you the most interesting and entertaining facts about Nigeria.
10. The most populous country in Africa
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of more than 160 million people. The closest African country is Ethiopia with 84 million inhabitants. That’s only about half of Nigeria’s population.
9. More than 250 ethnic groups
Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups, however there are 3 dominant tribes: the Ibo (Igbo), Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba who make up 18%, 29% and 21% respectively.
The main religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam. About half of Yorubas are Christian and half are Muslim, although many hold traditional beliefs. The Igbos in the southeast are predominantly Christian; The Hausa/Fulani of northern Nigeria are largely Islamic and are dominated by the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group. Southern Nigeria is more westernized and urbanized than the north, with Yoruba to the south-west and Igbo to the south-east.
7. Niger: West Africa’s largest river
The longest and largest river in West Africa is the Niger River, from which Nigeria takes its name. The Niger River stretches 4,180 km from its source in the Guinea Highlands in south-eastern Guinea. It runs in a crescent through Mali, Niger, bordering Benin and then Nigeria, finally emptying into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean after traversing a massive delta known as the Niger Delta or Oil River.
6. One of the oldest places of human existence
Evidence from archaeological finds has shown that there was a history of human existence in Nigeria dating back to 9000 BC. dates back to The Nok Civilization (around 500 BC – 200 AD) is the earliest known civilization here.
Bonus: interesting facts about South Africa
5. Home of Nollywood
Nollywood is the name of Nigerian film industry and was recently voted the second largest film producer in the world; after Bollywood; the Indian film industry and before American Hollywood. Nollywood produces up to 200 films every week and their films have won half of the annual Best Picture awards since 2005.
4. Largest variety of butterflies
Nigeria boasts of being the most suitable habitat for the world’s largest variety of the most colorful creatures – the butterflies. It is widely believed that the areas around Calabar in the south of the country are home to the greatest diversity of butterflies in the world.
3. Ogun State has the highest number of universities in Nigeria
Ogun State is one of the western states of the country and has a total of nine registered universities. This makes Ogun State the state with the highest number of universities in Nigeria
2. The longest bridge in Africa
The Third Mainland Bridge (in Lagos State)Connecting the island of Lagos with the mainland is the longest bridge in Africa. It measures about 11.8 km. The bridge begins at Oworonshoki, which connects to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. There is also a link in the middle of the bridge that leads to the Herbert Macaulay Way in Yaba. The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and opened by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990
1. Largest crude oil producers
Nigeria is the 12th largest crude oil producer in the world (average 2,525,000 barrels per day) and the 8th largest exporter. Nigeria has the tenth largest proven oil reserves in the world. Oil plays an important role in the country’s economy, accounting for more than 85% of the government’s total revenues.
Other topics you may be interested in: African Tribes, Black Asians, West African Countries, Niger, South Africans, African Women