Nigeria is a West African country bordered by Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, with a southern coastline along the Gulf of Guinea. It covers an area of 923,770 sq km, with terrain ranging from southern lowlands to northern plains, and mountains in the southeast. The climate varies from equatorial in the south to arid in the north.
Geography
- Location: West Africa
- Map Reference: Africa
- Area: 923,770 sq km (slightly more than twice the size of California)
- Border Countries: Benin (west), Cameroon (east), Chad & Niger (north), Gulf of Guinea (south)
- Coastline: 853 km
- Climate: Equatorial in the south, tropical in the center, arid in the north
- Terrain: Southern lowlands, central hills, plateaus, southeast mountains, northern plains
- Highest Point: Chappal Waddi (2,419 m)
- Natural Resources: Crude oil, gas, tin, gold, limestone, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, gypsum, bauxite
Population
- Estimated Population: 226 million (2025)
- Population Growth Rate: 2.5% per year
- Major Ethnic Groups: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulani, Kanuri, Ijaw, Tiv, Ibibio
- Religions: Islam, Christianity, Traditional beliefs
- Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, plus over 500 indigenous languages
Government & Leadership
- System: Federal Republic, Presidential System
- Capital: Abuja
- Number of States: 36 States + FCT
- Independence: 1 October 1960 (from Britain)
- Constitution: 1999 Constitution
- Executive: President & Commander-in-Chief
- Legislature: National Assembly (Senate & House of Reps)
- Judiciary: Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Federal High Court
Economy
- Currency: Naira (₦)
- Key Sectors: Oil & gas, agriculture, telecom, services, solid minerals, manufacturing
- Natural Hazards: Droughts, floods, coastal erosion
Banks in Nigeria
- Major Commercial Banks: Access Bank, Zenith Bank, GTBank, First Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC
- Central Bank: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
- Popular Financial Services: Mobile banking, ATM services, agency banking (POS), online transfers
Mobile Networks & Internet Providers
- Major Telecom Operators: MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile
- Internet Providers: Spectranet, Smile, Ntel, Swift
- SIM Card Registration: Mandatory with NIN linking
Healthcare Facilities
- Federal Teaching Hospitals: Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), UCH Ibadan, UNTH Enugu
- Private Hospitals: Reddington, Eko Hospital, Lagoon Hospital
- Specialty Clinics: Eye Foundation Hospital, Bridge Clinic (Fertility)
- Emergency Numbers: 112 (National Emergency Response)
National Holidays & Festivals
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Independence Day: October 1
- Democracy Day: June 12
- Eid-el-Fitr, Eid-el-Kabir, Eid-el-Maulud (Islamic)
- Christmas: December 25
- Boxing Day: December 26
Popular Festivals:
- Eyo Festival (Lagos)
- Osun-Osogbo Festival (Osun State)
- Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi)
- Durbar Festival (North)
Popular Markets & Malls
- Balogun Market, Lagos
- Computer Village, Ikeja
- Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market
- Shoprite Malls (Nationwide)
- Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja
Major Airports
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos
- Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
- Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano
- Port Harcourt International Airport
Local Transport System
- BRT Buses (Lagos)
- Keke NAPEP (Tricycles)
- Okada (Motorcycles)
- Ride-hailing: Bolt, Uber, InDrive
- Boat Taxis: Lagos Island routes
Educational System
- 6 years Primary
- 3 years Junior Secondary
- 3 years Senior Secondary
- 4 years Post-Secondary (University/Polytechnic/College of Education)
Popular Institutions:
- University of Lagos (UNILAG)
- Ahmadu Bello University (ABU)
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
National Symbols
- Flag: Green-White-Green
- Coat of Arms: Two horses, eagle, black shield, wavy white band
- National Anthem: “Arise O Compatriots, Nigeria’s Call Obey”
