Amazing Things About Nigeria You May or Probably Didn’t Know are those Interesting Facts about Nigeria that you can’t dispute. They are things that make the country unique in spite of the embarrassing stuff you have heard about the country around the internet, media, newspapers, and so on.
Amazing Things About Nigeria
You wish to know more about Nigeria right? Here are some truth about Nigeria:
Starting from the its nature, Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a diverse West African country. Nicknamed the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria is home to hundreds of different ethnicities, languages and butterfly species.
It is getting interesting right? I wish i could write more than this information about Nigeria. And if I tried I may end up writing a big book as the bible.. LOL …Let’s explore these Amazing Things About Nigeria I Discovered and you wont like to miss any:
Nigeria is the seventh-most populous country in the world, home to more than 200 million people. While that may be a lot of people, population numbers would likely be even higher if it weren’t for the country’s high mortality rates and low life expectancy.
Another Amazing Things About Nigeria is that Nigeria is a key member of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Oil is its primary export and has been the lifeline to the country’s economic growth. Other exports include cocoa and rubber.
Nigeria is a member of significant international organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Now let’s proceed to these Amazing Things About Nigeria;
Amazing Things About Nigeria:
There are thousands of amazing things about Nigeria you may or probably didn’t know, Here are some of them:
1. Nigerian Jollof Rice
Nigerian Jollof Rice is made with rice, tomatoes, onions, scotch bonnets, and chili peppers. There are endless variations on this recipe, but those five ingredients are usual constants.
No list of Nigerian foods can be complete without a mention of Jollof rice. It’s a party dish brought out at celebrations, a signature regional dish, and the recipe with which many West African communities and countries like to stir up friendly rivalries.
If I had to pick just one favorite from the entire list of Nigerian recipes, Nigerian Jollof Rice would probably be it.
2. Nigerian Nigerian Pidgin
What is Nigerian Pidgin? Nigerian Pidgin is an English-based creole language spoken as a lingua franca across Nigeria. The language is sometimes referred to as “Pijin” or Broken. Pidgin is widely spoken in Nigeria. Some BBC headlines is written in pidgin language.
It can be spoken as a pidgin, a creole, slang or a decreolised acrolect by different speakers, who may switch between these forms depending on the social setting.
Although English is still remains the country’s official language and the language of education in Nigeria, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba prominently feature as regional.
3. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa
Almost 200 million people live here, which makes Nigeria one of the most populous countries in the world. By 2019, it is ranked as the 7th most populated country in the world.
The majority of the people are either Muslims or Christians with 50% and 40% of the total population.
4. Nigeria Is Most Happiest Place in the Word
Nigeria is beset by poverty, corruption and violence – but a poll says it is the world’s most optimistic nation
According to theguardian Nigeria is the most happiest place in the world. A story shared says – When I last visited Nigeria, that poster made me laugh like a drain.
But now a global survey has confirmed it: in a 53-country Gallup poll, Nigerians were rated at 70 points for optimism. By contrast, Britain scored a deeply pessimistic -44. Why so glum, Britain? And what in the world makes Nigerians so happy?
5. Nigeria have over 500 spoken languages
Nigeria doesn’t only have many people living within its borders, but it’s also multicultural. In fact, it’s also one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of indigenous languages spoken on a regular basis.
In total, experts estimate that more than 500 different languages are spoken. Some of the major languages are Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, even though English serves as the official language.
6. Nigerians Embraces Social Media
As one of the most industrialized African countries, perhaps this is not one of the most surprising facts about Nigeria, nonetheless, it’s interesting. About 75% of the total population uses social media on a regular basis.
What’s unique for the Nigerian population is that the majority uses a smartphone rather than a computer or laptop.
7. Nigeria is the home of richest man in Africa
Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman with a net worth of at least 10.6 billion USD. When Forbes listed the 100 richest people in the world, he was included on the list.
He was born in Kano and established The Dangote Group in 1977.
8. Nigeria Have 250 Ethnic Groups
As you already know, there are many different languages spoken here, which totally makes sense when you realize that there are over 250 ethnic groups with a distinct culture and traditions.
9. Nigeria is largest Oil producer in Africa
Nigeria is a large producer of Crude oil with an average of 2,5 million barrels a day. They have a massive reserve of petroleum, and it plays a vital role in the Nigerian economy.
10. The popular Lagos is not the capital of Nigeria
Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. It was built in the 1980s and was planned to replace Lagos as the Nigerian capital even before it was built. It’s the country’s political and administrative center.
Abuja is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a population of around 6 million people in its metropolitan area. Lagos, however, is the largest Nigerian city with a population of more than 21 million people.
11. Nigeria have the biggest movie industry in Africa
Nollywood is the nickname for the Nigerian Movie Industry, and it’s even bigger than Hollywood. It is estimated to be second in the world, only to Bollywood in India.
About 200 movies are produced every week, which means that Nollywood produces more than 10 000 movies per year!
12. Nigeria is a member of British Commonwealth
Lagos was invaded by the British in 1851 and became a British protectorate in 1901. The colonial rule lasted until 1960 when Nigeria finally attained their independence.
However, although it’s an independent state it remained part of the British Commonwealth, just like Canada, New Zealand and Australia for example.
In addition to that, Nigeria is also a member of the African Union.
13. Nigeria Symbols
- The Nigerian flag was designed by Taiwo Akinkunmi in 1959
- The Eagle is the Nigerian national animal
- Football is the national sport
- The highest point is Chappal Waddi at 7936 ft (2,419 meters above the sea)
- The name Nigeria is derived from Niger, which is the longest river in West Africa
14. Total Area Of Nigeria :
– (923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi) – Nigeria is located in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea and has a total area of 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi), making it the world’s 32nd-largest country.
16. Capital Of Nigeria
Abuja city is the capital of Nigeria. It lies in the central part of Nigeria, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT; created 1976). The city is approximately 300 miles (480 km) northeast of Lagos, the former capital (until 1991).
17. Total Population Of Nigeria
Nigeria 2020 population is estimated at 206,139,589 people at mid year according to UN data. Nigeria population is equivalent to 2.64% of the total world population.
Nigeria, an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves.
Protected areas such as Cross River National Park and Yankari National Park have waterfalls, dense rainforest, savanna and rare primate habitats.
One of the most recognizable sites is Zuma Rock, a 725m-tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja that’s pictured on the national currency.
18. Which Continent Is Nigeria?
Nigeria is the political, economic and demographic key country on the African continent. With a population of approximately 182 million Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country
19. Official Language Of Nigeria:
English is the most widely spoken language, although English is the official language of Nigeria. In addition to English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fula, and English Creole are widely spoken. Many of the languages exist in written form.
20. Currency Of Nigeria:
NGN is the currency code for the Nigerian naira (NGN), the official currency for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Nigerian naira is made up of 100 kobos. As of August 2020, 1 U.S. dollar is equal to around 380 NGN. Naira (₦) (NGN)
The Nigerian naira replaced the country’s use of the British pound in 1973. Pound to naira conversion was at a rate of 2:1, or 2 naira for every pound.
21. System Of Government In Nigeria:
Nigeria is a federal republic, with executive power exercised by the president. The president is the head of state, the head of government, and the head of a multi-party system.
The federal government of Nigeria is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the Constitution of Nigeria in the National Assembly, the President, and the federal courts, including the Supreme Court, respectively.
22. National Anthem Of Nigeria:
- 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.
Second;
- Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leader’s right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
23. Nigeria National 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 honour and glory
- So help me God.
24. Nigeria Calling Code/Prefix:
Each country has a unique calling code that’s between 1-3 digits. You’ll dial it whenever you’re calling that country to signal that you’re dialing internationally.
Phone numbers in Nigeria are managed by the Nigerian Communication Commission, which is in charge of regulating the supply of telecommunication services and facilities in the country.
If you’re trying to dial into Nigeria, the international country code is:
- +234
In addition to local phone area codes, Nigeria implemented mobile number portability in 2013 for all cell phones. Due to this change, all cell phones in Nigeria begin with a three-digit prefix of 070, 080, 081 or 090.
When placing a call to another country while in Nigeria, the international dialing prefix code is 009.
