Nigeria

Overview

Nigeria lies on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It shares land borders with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, and its territory extends from coastal wetlands and rainforest to savanna in the north.

Abuja is the national capital. Lagos, the former capital, remains a major centre of commerce, culture and urban life. Nigeria’s scale and diversity make it an important political and economic presence in Africa.1

Independence and the republic

Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 and joined the United Nations six days later. It became a republic in 1963. The country’s post-independence history includes periods of civilian government and military rule, as well as the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970.31

People and languages

Nigeria is profoundly multilingual. Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo are among its most widely spoken languages, alongside hundreds of other languages. English is used for official administration and links communication across regions.

The country’s cultural life includes long-standing literary, musical, artistic and film traditions. These traditions are local and regional as well as national, and they extend through a large global diaspora.

Geography

The Niger and Benue rivers meet near the centre of the country. Their watersheds, the coastal delta and the varied climate zones have shaped settlement, agriculture, trade and biodiversity over long periods.