These are Facts about Nigeria.

These are facts about Nigeria. Nigeria is a country in West Africa of about 140m people. The nation is made up of 36 states and the capital, Abuja. Lagos is the biggest city and the country's main economic hub.

Nigeria Flag
Nigerian Flag

Weather

The Weather in Nigeria is characterised by heavy rain, high humidity, and relatively low temperature. The heaviest rain falls in June or October and temperatures could reach as high as 31�C daytime and 26�C at night.

Economy

The Economy of Nigeria since 1960 is mainly petroleum based. Oil exports account for 65% of Government revenues but 70% of Nigeria's labor force are employed in Agriculture.

Agriculture is the second biggest industry after Oil and it accounts for 27% of GDP. Recent growth areas include banking and telecommunications.

The Manufacturing industry is relatively very small but current efforts being talked about include diversifying oil revenues to kick start private sector or foreign investment lead initiatives. The informal economy continues to grow at an awesome rate.

Yoruba
Formal Yoruba wear

People

Nigeria has three main tribes. The Hausa in the North, Yorubas in the west and Ibo in the south.

Nigerians are generally very friendly or welcoming. There are about 10million people living in Lagos alone, which makes the state very chaotic, and the 2nd most populated city in Africa after Cairo. 57% of Nigerians still live below $1 a day. Nigerians can be very enterprising. And there is an increasingly strong middle class emerging.

Nigerian girl
A Nigerian model

Language

The official language of business is English. However there are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria with the Hausa, Ibo or Yoruba languages being most widely spoken. Also pidgin or broken English features widely as a form of communication between various ethnic groups.
Abuja Zuma Rock
Zuma Rock, Abuja

Religion

Religion in Nigeria is a mix of Christianity, Islam and indigenous beliefs. Islam dominates in the North, where some states like Kano practice the Sharia law. Christianity is concentrated in the South. Indigenous beliefs include sorcery and witchcraft.

The currency of Nigeria is the Naira. The currency is quite stable and inflation stands at about 12% as of June 2008 up from 9.7% in May 2008 due to rising food and oil prices. The Central Bank of Nigeria has an objective of keeping inflation down to single digit figures.

Housing

The country operates a Land tenure system. Housing is a combination of local government social housing and private estate developments. Amid world class hotels and private houses exist many slums and shanty towns particularly in urban areas, where overcrowding is a problem.

Transport

Okada

Nigeria's four main international airports include Muritala Mohammed Airport Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports.

There is a national network of highways and railways. In traffic congested Lagos, the preferred mode of transport among the locals is the Okada bike transport.

Some government projects in the pipeline are currently focused on improving the country's railway network.
Ife bronze stamp
Classic Nigerian Stamp

A rebuild of the Lagos to Kano railway line is currently being rebuilt by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Other modes of transport include taxis, buses and ferries.

The main shipping ports are in Lagos(Apapa and Tincan Island) and Port Harcourt.

Health care

The main health care providers in Nigeria are the Government run University Teaching or General hospitals and Private health care. Private clinics are concentrated in urban areas. The not so good facts about Nigeria health care is thus because most of their Doctors and nurses practice in the US or UK. I recommend going private if you fall sick in Nigeria.

Banking

The Nigerian banking industry is one of the fastest growing in the world. There are 25 banks, each well capitalised and offering world class retail banking services.

More facts about Nigeria and its culture

return home from facts about nigeria