Facts
Nigerian Facts
Nigeria has 36 states and with Abuja as the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja is the capital city. On December 12, 1991, the capital city was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja. Most federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja.
Nigeria, the 32nd largest country in the world has a total area of 356,669 square miles (923,768 square kilometers) and is about twice the size of California.
Nigeria is located on the West coast of Africa and shares borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, Niger in the north and borders the Gulf of Guinea in the south. The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi (2,419 meters/7,936 feet).
The climate of Nigeria is equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north. Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus with mountains in southeast and plains in north.
Nigeria is the ninth most populous country in the world and the most populous black African nation with over an estimated 140,000,000 inhabitants. It is speculated that one out of every four Africans are Nigerian. Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups, over 500 languages, with the Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa, and Fulani making up the majority.
The current president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan. The next general election will be held in April 2011.
Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.
The Nigerian flag has three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green.
The Coat of Arms of Nigeria has a black shield (representing good earth) with two white stripes that come together, like the letter Y (representing the two main rivers flowing through Nigeria: the Benue River and the Niger River). The shield is flanked by two horses on each side (representing dignity) and an eagle (representing strength). The green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich agricultural land of the country. The flowers at the base are Costus spectabilis, Nigeria’s national flower.
Nigeria’s natural resources include petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas, hydropower and arable land. The mainstay of Nigeria’s industries consists of crude oil, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizers, printing ceramics and steel. Its argricultural products include cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams, rubber, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, timber and fish. Nigeria’s export partners include the United States (35%), Spain (11%), India (9%), France (6%), and Italy. The national currency is the naira (N=100 kobo). The nation’s main import commodities are machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals.
The Nigerian National Anthem
Arise, O Compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
(Click below to play a version of the Nigerian Anthem recorded by Nigerian “AfroSoul” singer, Tavian)
The Nigerian Pledge
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honor and glory
So help me God.