Nigeria: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Country in West Africa}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{about|the country}}
{{distinguish|text=the neighbouring country [[Niger]]}}
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Coord|8|N|10|E|region:NI_type:country_source:dewiki|display=title}}
{{Use Nigerian English|date = April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Federal Republic of Nigeria
| conventional_long_name = Federal Republic of Nigeria
Line 18: Line 11:
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Nigeria (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Nigeria AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}}
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Nigeria (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Nigeria AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}}
| map_caption            =  
| map_caption            =  
| image_map2            =
| image_map2            =  
| capital                = [[Abuja]]
| capital                = [[Abuja]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|9|4|N|7|29|E|type:city}}
| coordinates            = {{Coord|9|4|N|7|29|E|type:city}}
| largest_city          = [[Lagos]]
| largest_city          = [[Lagos]]
| official_languages    = [[English language|English]] ([[Nigerian English|Nigerian]])
| official_languages    = [[English language|English]]
| languages_type        = [[National languages]]
| languages_type        = [[National languages]]
| languages              = {{hlist|[[Hausa language|Hausa]]|[[Igbo language|Igbo]]|[[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]}}
| languages              = {{hlist|[[Hausa language|Hausa]]|[[Igbo language|Igbo]]|[[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]}}
| languages2_type        = [[Regional languages]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=ng |title=Languages of Nigeria |publisher=[[Ethnologue]] |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref>
| languages2_type        = Other languages<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=ng |title=Languages of Nigeria |publisher=[[Ethnologue]] |access-date=12 September 2010}}</ref>
| languages2            = Over [[Languages of Nigeria|525 languages]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2014|location=Oxford}}</ref>  
| languages2            = Over [[Languages of Nigeria|525 languages]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages|last=Blench|first=Roger|publisher=Kay Williamson Educational Foundation|year=2014|location=Oxford}}</ref> including:
{{Collapsible list
|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
|[[Bassa-Nge]]
|[[Berom language|Berom]]
|[[Boze language|Boze]]
|[[Bura language|Bura]]
|[[Ebira language|Ebira]]
|[[Edo language|Edo]]
|[[Efik language|Efik]]
|[[Eleme language|Eleme]]
|[[Esan language|Esan]]
|[[Afenmai language|Etsako]]
|[[Fula language|Fulfulde]]
|[[Gwari language|Gbagyi]]
|[[Gokana language|Gokana]]
|[[Humono language|Humono]]  |[[Hyam language|Hyam]]
|[[Ibibio language|Ibibio]]
|[[Idoma language|Idoma]]
|[[Igala language|Igala]]
|[[Igede language|Igede]]
|[[Ijaw languages|Ijaw]]
|[[Ikwerre language|Ikwerre]]
|[[Isoko language|Isoko]]
|[[Itsekiri language|Itsekiri]]
|[[Ukwuani-Aboh-Ndoni language|Ukwuani]]
|[[Izere language|Izere]]
|[[Jju language|Jju]]
|[[Jukun Takum language|Jukun]]
|[[Kanuri language|Kanuri]]
|[[Karekare language|Karai-Karai]]
|[[Margi language|Margi]]
|[[Nigerian Pidgin]]
|[[Ngas language|Ngas]]
|[[Nupe language|Nupe]]
|[[Kupa language|Kupa]]
|[[Obolo language|Obolo]]
|[[Khana language|Ogoni]]
|[[Kalabari language|Okrika]]
|[[Ogba language|Ogba]]
|[[Oro language|Oron]]
|[[Tiv language|Tiv]]
|[[Tyap language|Tyap]]
|[[Urhobo language|Urhobo]]
|[[Fyer language|Fyer]]
}}
| religion_year          =  
| religion_year          =  
| religion_ref          =  
| religion_ref          =  
Line 41: Line 79:
| leader_name4          = [[Femi Gbajabiamila]]
| leader_name4          = [[Femi Gbajabiamila]]
| leader_title5          = [[Chief Justice of Nigeria|Chief Justice]]
| leader_title5          = [[Chief Justice of Nigeria|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name5          = [[Olukayode Ariwoola]] (acting)
| leader_name5          = [[Olukayode Ariwoola]]
| legislature            = [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]]
| legislature            = [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Nigeria|Senate]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Nigeria|Senate]]
Line 57: Line 95:
| area_sq_mi            = 356,667 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| area_sq_mi            = 356,667 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| percent_water          = 1.4
| percent_water          = 1.4
| population_estimate    = 216,746,934<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/NGA/nigeria/population-growth-rate |title=Nigeria Population Growth Rate 1950-2022 |website=macrotrends |access-date=20 May 2022 }}</ref>
| population_estimate    = 211,400,708<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/NGA/nigeria/population-growth-rate |title=Nigeria Population Growth Rate 1950-2021 |website=macrotrends |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref>
| population_census      = 140,431,691
| population_census      = 140,431,691
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_year = 2021
| population_estimate_rank = 7th
| population_estimate_rank = 7th
| population_census_year = 2006
| population_census_year = 2006
Line 65: Line 103:
| population_density_sq_mi = 565 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_sq_mi = 565 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_rank = 42nd
| population_density_rank = 42nd
| GDP_PPP                = $1.237 trillion<ref name=IMF2020>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2020/October/weo-report?c=694,199,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2018&ey=2025&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|access-date=15 October 2020 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020 – Nigeria|work=International Monetary Fund}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP                = $1.116 trillion<ref name=IMF2020>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2020/October/weo-report?c=694,199,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2018&ey=2025&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|access-date=15 October 2020 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020 – Nigeria|work=International Monetary Fund}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year          = 2022
| GDP_PPP_year          = 2021
| GDP_PPP_rank          = 25th
| GDP_PPP_rank          = 25th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita    = $5,853
| GDP_PPP_per_capita    = $5,280
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 129th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 129th
| GDP_nominal            = $498.060 billion<ref name=IMF2020/>
| GDP_nominal            = $514.079 billion<ref name=IMF2020/>
| GDP_nominal_year      = 2022
| GDP_nominal_year      = 2021
| GDP_nominal_rank      = 29th
| GDP_nominal_rank      = 29th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,356
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,432
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 137th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 137th
| Gini                  = 35.1 <!-- number only -->
| Gini                  = 35.1 <!-- number only -->
Line 95: Line 133:
| cctld                  = [[.ng]]
| cctld                  = [[.ng]]
| today                  =  
| today                  =  
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref name="Africa: Nigeria">{{Cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=2020-06-21 |title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref>
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref>{{Cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=2020-06-21 |title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref>
| ethnic_groups_year    = 2018
| ethnic_groups_year    = 2018
| ethnic_groups          = {{plainlist|
| ethnic_groups          = {{plainlist|
Line 109: Line 147:
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Nigeria''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Nigeria.ogg|attribution=no|n|aɪ|ˈ|dʒ|ɪər|i|ə}}), officially the '''Federal Republic of Nigeria''', is a country in [[West Africa]].  It is geographically situated between the [[Sahel]] to the north and the [[Gulf of Guinea]] to the south in the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It covers an area of {{Convert|923769|km2|mi2}}, and with a population of over 216 million, It is the [[List of African countries by population|most populous country]] in [[Africa]], and the [[List of countries and dependencies by population|world’s seventh-most populous country]]. Nigeria borders [[Niger]] in [[Niger–Nigeria border|the north]], [[Chad]] in [[Chad–Nigeria border|the northeast]], [[Cameroon]] in [[Cameroon–Nigeria border|the east]], and [[Benin]] in [[Benin–Nigeria border|the west]]. Nigeria is a [[Federation|federal]] [[republic]] comprising [[States of Nigeria|36 states]] and the [[Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria|Federal Capital Territory]], where the capital, [[Abuja]], is located. The [[List of Nigerian cities by population|largest city in Nigeria]] is [[Lagos]], one of the largest [[List of largest cities|metropolitan areas]] in the world and the [[List of cities in Africa by population|second-largest in Africa.]]
'''Nigeria''' is a [[country]] in [[West Africa]]. It has a [[population]] of 216.7 million,<ref>[http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL Population Total],</ref> more than any other country in [[Africa]]. Its capital is [[Abuja]]. Nigeria is a large country, with the largest population in Africa and is the most powerful in Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/04/nigeria-becomes-africa-largest-economy-20144618190520102.html|title=Nigeria becomes Africa's largest economy|work=aljazeera.com|accessdate=11 August 2015}}</ref>
 
Nigeria has been home to several [[Nigerian traditional rulers|indigenous pre-colonial states]] and [[Sahelian kingdoms|kingdoms]] since the second millennium BC, with the [[Nok culture|Nok civilization]] in the 15th century BC marking the first internal unification in the country. The modern state originated with [[Colonial Nigeria|British colonialization]] in the 19th century, taking its present territorial shape with the merging of the [[Southern Nigeria Protectorate]] and [[Northern Nigeria Protectorate]] in 1914 by [[Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard|Lord Lugard]]. The British set up administrative and legal structures while practising [[indirect rule]] through [[Nigerian Chieftaincy|traditional chiefdoms]] in the Nigeria region.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Achebe |first=Nwando |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/707092916|title=The female king of colonial Nigeria : Ahebi Ugbabe |isbn=978-0-253-00507-6|location=Bloomington|oclc=707092916}}</ref> Nigeria became a formally [[Federation of Nigeria|independent federation]] on October 1, 1960. It experienced a [[Nigerian Civil War|civil war from 1967 to 1970]], followed by a succession of democratically elected civilian governments and [[Nigerian military juntas of 1966–79 and 1983–99|military dictatorships]], until achieving [[Fourth Nigerian Republic|a stable democracy]] in the [[1999 Nigerian presidential election|1999 presidential election]]; the [[2015 Nigerian general election|2015 election]] was the first time an incumbent president had lost re-election.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-03-31|title=Nigeria's Buhari wins historic election landslide|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-election-idUSKBN0MR0VN20150331|access-date=2020-05-25}}</ref>
 
Nigeria is a [[multinational state]] inhabited by more than [[Demographics of Nigeria|250 ethnic groups]] speaking [[Languages of Nigeria|500 distinct languages]], all identifying with a wide variety of cultures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ethnicity in Nigeria|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/africa-jan-june07-ethnic_04-05/|date=5 April 2007|publisher=PBS|access-date=9 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nigeria|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/NG|website=Ethnologue|language=en|access-date=4 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Linguistic diversity in Africa and Europe – Languages Of The World|url=http://www.languagesoftheworld.info/geolinguistics/linguistic-diversity-in-africa-and-europe.html|date=16 June 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515155945/http://www.languagesoftheworld.info/geolinguistics/linguistic-diversity-in-africa-and-europe.html|archive-date=15 May 2012|access-date=4 July 2019|last=Pereltsvaig|first=Asya}}</ref> The three largest ethnic groups are the [[Hausa people|Hausa]] in [[Northern Region, Nigeria|the north]], [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] in [[Yorubaland|the west]], and [[Igbo people|Igbo]] in [[Igboland|the east]], together comprising over 60% of the total population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/attachments/summaries/NI-summary.pdf|title=NIGERIA – CIA WORLD FACTBOOK 2019|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923163518/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/attachments/summaries/NI-summary.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[official language]] is [[Nigerian English|English]], chosen to facilitate linguistic unity at the national level.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mann|first=Charles C.|date=1990|title=Choosing an Indigenous Official Language for Nigeria|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED397681.pdf}}</ref> [[Constitution of Nigeria|Nigeria's constitution]] ensures [[freedom of religion]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigerian Constitution|url=http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm#Powers_of_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria|work=Nigeria Law|access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> and it is home to some of the world's largest [[Islam by country|Muslim]] and [[Christianity by country|Christian]] populations, simultaneously.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The countries with the 10 largest Christian populations and the 10 largest Muslim populations|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/01/the-countries-with-the-10-largest-christian-populations-and-the-10-largest-muslim-populations/|website=Pew Research Center|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-25}}</ref> Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims, who live mostly in the [[north]], and [[Christians]], who live mostly in the south; [[Traditional African religions|indigenous religions]], such as those native to the [[Odinani|Igbo]] and [[Yoruba religion|Yoruba]] ethnicities, are in the minority.<ref name="USEN">{{cite web|title=Nigeria Fact Sheet|url=https://photos.state.gov/libraries/nigeria/487468/pdfs/Nigeria%20overview%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf|publisher=United States Embassy in Nigeria|access-date=23 September 2018|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018101915/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/nigeria/487468/pdfs/Nigeria%20overview%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Nigeria is a [[regional power]] in Africa, a [[middle power]] in international affairs, and is an [[Emerging power|emerging global power]]. Nigeria's [[Economy of Nigeria|economy]] is the [[List of African countries by GDP (nominal)|largest in Africa]], the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|25th-largest in the world]] by nominal [[Gross domestic product|GDP]], and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|25th-largest]] by [[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]. Nigeria is often referred to as the [[Giant of Africa]] owing to its large population and economy<ref>{{cite journal|year=1959|title=Nigeria: The African giant|journal=[[The Round Table (journal)|The Round Table]]|volume=50|issue=197|pages=55–63|doi=10.1080/00358535908452221}}</ref> and is considered to be an [[emerging market]] by the [[World Bank]]. However, the country ranks very low in the [[Human Development Index]] and remains [[Corruption in Nigeria|one of the most corrupt nations]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/perceptions-corruption-nigeria-remain-high-according-ngo|title=Perceptions of Corruption in Nigeria Remain High, According to NGO|work=[[Council on Foreign Relations]]|first=John |last=Campbell|date=29 January 2020|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2020/1016/A-light-shines-on-Nigerian-corruption|title=A light shines on Nigerian corruption|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=16 October 2020|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> Nigeria is a founding member of the [[African Union]] and a member of many international organizations, including the [[United Nations]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[Non-Aligned Movement|NAM]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nti.org/education-center/treaties-and-regimes/non-aligned-movement-nam |title=Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) - The Nuclear Threat Initiative |access-date=19 October 2021}}</ref> the [[Economic Community of West African States]], and [[OPEC]]. It is also a member of the informal [[MINT (economics)|MINT]] group of countries and is one of the [[Jim O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of Gatley#Next Eleven|Next Eleven]] economies.
{{TOC limit}}
 
== Etymology ==
 
The name ''[[Wikt:Nigeria|Nigeria]]'' was taken from the [[Niger River]] running through the country. This name was coined on 8 January 1897, by British journalist [[Flora Shaw, Lady Lugard|Flora Shaw]], who later married [[Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard|Lord Lugard]], a [[British Empire|British colonial]] administrator. The neighbouring [[Republic of Niger]] takes its name from the same river. The origin of the name ''Niger'', which originally applied to only the middle reaches of the Niger River, is uncertain. The word is likely an alteration of the [[Tuareg people|Tuareg]] name ''egerew <u>n-iger</u>ewen'' used by inhabitants along the middle reaches of the river around [[Timbuktu]] before 19th-century European colonialism.<ref>The Arabic name ''nahr al-anhur'' is a direct translation of the Tuareg.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Niger |title=''Online Etymological Dictionary'' |publisher=Etymonline.com |access-date=28 July 2014}}</ref>
 
== History ==
 
{{Main|History of Nigeria|Timeline of Nigerian history}}
 
=== Prehistory ===
 
{{Further|Early history of Nigeria}}
[[File:Nok sculpture Louvre 70-1998-11-1.jpg|thumb|[[Nok]] sculpture, [[terracotta]]|285x285px]]
 
[[Kainji Dam]] excavations showed ironworking by the 2nd century BC. The transition from [[Neolithic]] times to the [[Iron Age]] was accomplished without intermediate [[Bronze Age|bronze]] production. Others believed or suggested the technology moved west from the [[Nile Valley]], although the Iron Age in the [[Niger River]] valley and the forest region appears to predate the introduction of metallurgy in the upper savanna by more than 800 years.
 
The [[Nok culture|Nok civilization]] of Nigeria thrived between 1,500 BC and AD 200. It produced life-sized [[terracotta]] figures that are some of the earliest known sculptures in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]<ref name="PB 2014">Breunig, Peter. 2014. Nok: African Sculpture in Archaeological Context: p. 21.</ref><ref>Nicole Rupp, Peter Breunig & Stefanie Kahlheber, "[http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/kahlheber/ Exploring the Nok Enigma]", ''Antiquity'' 82.316, June 2008.</ref><ref>B.E.B. Fagg, "The Nok Culture in Prehistory", ''Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria'' 1.4, December 1959.</ref><ref name="archaeology">{{Cite book|last1=Kleiner|first1= Fred S.|first2=Christin J. |last2=Mamiya |title=Gardner's Art Through the Ages: Non-Western Perspectives|publisher=[[Cengage Learning]]|edition=13, revised|year=2009|page=194|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TlVeuxIgjwQC&q=Nok+terracotta+earliest|isbn=978-0-495-57367-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nok/hd_nok.htm |title=Nok Terracottas (500 B.C.–200 A.D.) &#124; Thematic Essay &#124; Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History &#124; The Metropolitan Museum of Art |publisher=Metmuseum.org |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=16 July 2014}}</ref> and smelted iron by about 550 BC and possibly a few centuries earlier.<ref>Tylecote 1975 (see below)</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Nok: African Sculpture in Archaeological Context|last=Eggert|first=Manfred|publisher=Africa Magna Verlag Press|year=2014|editor-last=Breunig|editor-first=P|location=Frankfurt, Germany|pages=51–59|chapter=Early iron in West and Central Africa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Nok: African Sculpture in Archaeological Context|last=Eggert|first=Manfred|publisher=Africa Magna Verlag Press|year=2014|isbn=9783937248462|editor-last=Breunig|editor-first=P|location=Frankfurt, Germany|pages=53–54|chapter=Early iron in West and Central Africa|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBn1BQAAQBAJ&q=Nok+Breunig&pg=PA38}}</ref> Evidence of iron smelting has also been excavated at sites in the [[Nsukka]] region of southeast Nigeria: dating to 2000 BC at the site of [[Lejja]]<ref name="Eze-Uzomaka">{{cite journal|title=Iron and its influence on the prehistoric site of Lejja|url=https://www.academia.edu/4103707|last1=Eze–Uzomaka|first1=Pamela|website=Academia.edu|publisher=University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria|access-date=12 December 2014}}</ref> and to 750 BC and at the site of [[Opi (archaeological site)|Opi]].
 
=== Early history ===
{{Further|History of Nigeria before 1500}}[[File:Intricate_bronze_ceremonial_pot,_9th_century,_Igbo-Ukwu,_Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Ceremonial Igbo pot from 9th-century [[Igbo-Ukwu]]]]
The ''[[Kano Chronicle]]'' highlights an ancient history dating to around 999 AD of the [[Hausa Kingdoms|Hausa]] [[Sahelian kingdoms|Sahelian city-state]] of [[Kano (city)|Kano]], with other major Hausa cities (or [[Hausa Bakwai]]) of [[Daura]], [[Hadejia|Hadeija]], [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Katsina]], [[Zazzau]], [[Rano]], and [[Gobir]] all having recorded histories dating back to the 10th century. With the spread of Islam from the 7th century AD, the area became known as ''[[Sudan (region)|Sudan]]'' or as ''Bilad Al Sudan'' (English: Land of the Blacks; [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: بلاد السودان). Since the populations were partially affiliated with the Arab Muslim culture of [[North Africa]], they began [[Trans-Saharan trade]] and were referred to by the Arabic speakers as ''Al-Sudan'' (meaning "The Blacks") as they were considered an extended part of the [[Muslim world]]. There are early historical references by medieval Arab and Muslim historians and geographers which refer to the [[Kanem–Bornu Empire|Kanem-Bornu Empire]] as the region's major centre for Islamic civilization.
 
The [[Kingdom of Nri]] of the Igbo people consolidated in the 10th century and continued until it lost its sovereignty to the British in 1911.<ref name="Juang3">{{cite book|last=Juang|first=Richard M.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wFrAOqfhuGYC&pg=PA597|title=Africa and the Americas: culture, politics, and history: a multidisciplinary encyclopedia, Volume 2|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2008|isbn=978-1-85109-441-7|page=597}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hrbek|first=Ivan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qDFcD0BuekQC&pg=PA254|title=Africa from the seventh to the eleventh Century|publisher=James Currey Publishers|year=1992|isbn=978-0-85255-093-9|page=254}}</ref> Nri was ruled by the [[List of rulers of Nri|Eze Nri]], and the city of Nri is considered to be the foundation of Igbo culture. Nri and [[Aguleri]], where the Igbo creation myth originates, are in the territory of the Umeuri clan. Members of the clan trace their lineages back to the patriarchal king-figure [[Eri (king)|Eri]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Uzukwu|first=E. Elochukwu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9hhmzVrYPHAC|title=Worship as Body Language|publisher=Liturgical Press|year=1997|isbn=978-0-8146-6151-2|page=93}}</ref> In West Africa, the oldest bronzes made using the [[lost wax process]] were from [[Igbo-Ukwu]], a city under Nri influence.<ref name="Juang3" /> The [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] kingdoms of [[Ife]] and [[Oyo Empire|Oyo]] in southwestern Nigeria became prominent in the 12th<ref name="Falola13">{{cite book|last1=Falola|first1=Toyin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XygZjbNRap0C&pg=PA23|title=A History of Nigeria|last2=Heaton|first2=Matthew M.|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=2008|isbn=978-0-521-68157-5|page=23}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Laitin|first=David D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dHbrDvGQEbUC&pg=PA111|title=Hegemony and culture: politics and religious change among the Yoruba|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|year=1986|isbn=978-0-226-46790-0|page=111}}</ref> and 14th<ref>{{cite book|last1=MacDonald|first1=Fiona|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=joh5yHfcF-8C&pg=PA385|title=Peoples of Africa, Volume 1|last2=Paren|first2=Elizabeth|last3=Shillington|first3=Kevin|author3-link=Kevin Shillington|last4=Stacey|first4=Gillian|last5=Steele|first5=Philip|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|year=2000|isbn=978-0-7614-7158-5|page=385}}</ref> centuries, respectively. The oldest signs of [[human]] settlement at Ife's current site date back to the 9th century,<ref name="Falola13" /> and its material culture includes terracotta and bronze figures.[[File:Yoruba-bronze-head.jpg|thumb|[[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] copper mask of [[Obalufon Alayemore|Obalufon]] from the city of [[Ife]] {{circa|1300}}]]
 
=== Pre-colonial era ===
 
{{Further|History of Nigeria (1500–1800)}}
[[File:Queen Mother Pendant Mask- Iyoba MET DP231460.jpg|upright|thumb|right|Royal [[Benin ivory mask]], one of Nigeria's most recognized artifacts. [[Benin Empire]], 16th century.]]
 
In the 16th century, [[Portuguese discoveries|Portuguese explorers]] were the first Europeans to begin important, direct trade with peoples of southern Nigeria, at the port they named Lagos (formerly Eko) and in [[Calabar]] along the region [[Slave Coast of West Africa|Slave Coast]]. Europeans traded goods with peoples at the coast; coastal trade with Europeans also marked the beginnings of the [[Atlantic slave trade]].<ref name="diverse-slavery">{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=April A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H26pO3vwmHoC&pg=PA54|title=Nigeria's Diverse Peoples: A Reference Sourcebook|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2003|isbn=978-1-57607-682-8|pages=44–54|access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> The port of Calabar on the historical [[Bight of Biafra]] (now commonly referred to as the Bight of Bonny) became one of the largest slave-trading posts in West Africa in the era of the transatlantic slave trade. Other major slaving ports in Nigeria were located in [[Badagry]], Lagos on the [[Bight of Benin]] and [[Bonny Island]] on the Bight of Biafra.<ref name="diverse-slavery" /><ref name="slave-trade">{{cite book|last1=Falola|first1=Toyin|url=https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio0000falo|title=Historical Dictionary of Nigeria|last2=Genova|first2=Ann|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8108-6316-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio0000falo/page/n373 328]|access-date=29 March 2015|url-access=registration}}</ref> The majority of those enslaved and taken to these ports were captured in raids and wars.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Falola|first1=Toyin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ANzFx1O95eAC&pg=PA78|title=Environment and Economics in Nigeria|last2=Paddock|first2=Adam|publisher=Routledge|year=2012|isbn=978-1-136-66247-8|page=78|access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Usually, the captives were taken back to the conquerors' territory as [[forced labour]]; after time, they were sometimes acculturated and absorbed into the conquerors' society. Slave routes were established throughout Nigeria linking the hinterland areas with the major coastal ports. Some of the more prolific slave-trading kingdoms who participated in the transatlantic slave trade were linked with the Edo's [[Kingdom of Benin|Benin Empire]] in the south, [[Oyo Empire]] in the southwest, and the [[Aro Confederacy]] in the southeast.<ref name="diverse-slavery" /><ref name="slave-trade" /> Benin's power lasted between the 15th and 19th centuries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigeria: A Country Study – The Slave Trade|url=http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/7.htm|last=Metz|first=Helen Chapin|year=1991|publisher=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]]|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref> Oyo, at its territorial zenith in the late 17th to early 18th centuries, extended its influence from western Nigeria to modern-day [[Togo]].
 
In the north, the incessant fighting amongst the Hausa city-states and the decline of the [[Kanem–Bornu Empire|Bornu Empire]] gave rise to the Fulani people gaining headway into the region. Until this point, the Fulani a [[nomad]]ic ethnic group primarily traversed the semi-desert [[Sahel]]ian region, north of Sudan, with cattle and avoided trade and intermingling with the Sudanic peoples. At the beginning of the 19th century, [[Usman dan Fodio]] led [[Fulani War|a successful jihad]] against the [[Hausa Kingdoms]] founding the centralised [[Sokoto Caliphate]]. The empire with Arabic as its official language grew rapidly under his rule and that of [[List of Sultans of Sokoto|his descendants]], who sent out [[Fula jihads|invading armies]] in every direction. The vast landlocked empire connected the east with the western Sudan region and made inroads down south conquering parts of the Oyo Empire (modern-day [[Kwara State|Kwara]]), and advanced towards the [[Yorubaland|Yoruba heartland]] of [[Ibadan]], to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The territory controlled by the empire included much of modern-day northern and central Nigeria. The sultan sent out emirs to establish a [[suzerainty]] over the conquered territories and promote Islamic civilization, the emirs in turn became increasingly rich and powerful through trade and slavery. By the 1890s, the largest [[Slavery in Africa|slave population]] in the world, about two million, was concentrated in the territories of the Sokoto Caliphate. The use of slave labour was extensive, especially in agriculture.<ref>Shillington, Kevin, ''[[Encyclopedia of African History]]''. (U of Michigan Press, 2005) p. 1401.</ref> By the time of its break-up in 1903 into various European colonies, the Sokoto Caliphate was one of the largest pre-colonial African states.<ref>Adam, Abba Idris, "Re-inventing Islamic Civilization in the Sudanic Belt: The Role of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio." ''Journal of Modern Education Review'' 4.6 (2014): 457–465. [http://tweb.cjcu.edu.tw/journal_abstract/2014_10_02_12_32_45.99.pdf#page=63 online]</ref>
 
=== British colonization ===
{{Main|Colonial Nigeria}}
 
[[File:Emir of Kano-1911.jpg|thumb|Emir of Kano with cavalry, 1911]][[File:King-duke.jpg|thumb|King Duke IX of [[Calabar]] in full dress (published 1895)
]][[File:Stamp Cameroons 2d-600px.jpg|thumb|1953 postage stamp with portrait of Queen [[Elizabeth II|Elizabeth{{nbsp}}II]]]]A changing legal imperative (the outlawing of the [[Atlantic slave trade|transatlantic slave trade]] in 1807) and economic imperative (a desire for political and social stability) led most European powers to support the widespread cultivation of agricultural products, such as the palm, for use in European industry. European companies engaged in the Atlantic slave trade until it was outlawed in 1807 by Britain, which up until that point had been the [[Atlantic slave trade#Destinations and flags of carriers|second largest actor]] practicing the slave trade. After that, the trade actually continued, as illegal smugglers purchased slaves along the coast by native slavers. Britain's [[West Africa Squadron]] sought to intercept the smugglers at sea. The rescued slaves were taken to [[Freetown]], a colony in West Africa originally established by [[John Clarkson (abolitionist)|Lieutenant John Clarkson]] for the resettlement of slaves freed by Britain in North America after the [[American Revolutionary War]].
 
Britain intervened in the Lagos kingship power struggle by bombarding Lagos in 1851, deposing the slave-trade-friendly [[Kosoko|Oba Kosoko]], helping to install the amenable Oba [[Akitoye]] and signing the [[Treaty Between Great Britain and Lagos, 1 January 1852|Treaty between Great Britain and Lagos]] on 1{{nbsp}}January 1852. [[United Kingdom|Britain]] annexed Lagos as a [[crown colony]] in August 1861 with the [[Lagos Treaty of Cession]]. British missionaries expanded their operations and travelled further inland. In 1864, [[Samuel Ajayi Crowther]] became the first African [[Church of Nigeria|bishop of the Anglican Church]].<ref>[[Derek R. Peterson|Peterson, Derek R.]], ed., ''Abolitionism and imperialism in Britain, Africa, and the Atlantic'' (Ohio University Press, 2010).</ref>
 
In 1885, British claims to a West African [[sphere of influence]] received recognition from other European nations at the [[Berlin Conference]]. The following year, it chartered the [[Royal Niger Company]] under the leadership of Sir [[George Taubman Goldie]]. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the company had vastly succeeded in subjugating the independent southern kingdoms along the [[Niger River]], the British conquered [[Benin Empire|Benin]] in 1897, and, in the [[Anglo-Aro War]] (1901–1902), defeated other opponents. The defeat of these states opened up the Niger area to British rule. In 1900, the company's territory came under the direct control of the British government and established the [[Southern Nigeria Protectorate]] as a British protectorate and part of the [[British Empire]], the foremost world power at the time.
 
By 1902, the British had begun plans to move north into the Sokoto Caliphate. British General Lord [[Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard|Frederick Lugard]] was tasked by the [[Colonial Office]] to implement the agenda. Lugard used rivalries between many of the emirs in the southern reach of the caliphate and the central Sokoto administration to prevent any defence as he worked towards the capital. As the British approached the city of [[Sokoto]], Sultan [[Muhammadu Attahiru I]] organized a quick defence of the city and fought the advancing British-led forces. The British force quickly won, sending Attahiru I and thousands of followers on a [[Mahdi]]st ''[[Hegira|hijra]]''. In the northeast, the decline of the [[Kanem–Bornu Empire|Bornu Empire]] gave rise to the British-controlled [[Borno Emirate]] which established [[Abubakar Garbai of Borno]] as ruler.
 
In 1903, the British victory in the [[Battle of Kano (1903)|Battle of Kano]] gave them a logistical edge in [[Battle of Kwatarkwashi|pacifying the heartland of the Sokoto Caliphate]] and parts of the former Bornu Empire. On 13 March 1903, at the grand market square of Sokoto, the last [[Sokoto Grand Vizier|vizier of the caliphate]] officially conceded to British rule. The British appointed [[Muhammadu Attahiru II]] as the new caliph. Lugard abolished the caliphate but retained the title ''sultan'' as a symbolic position in the newly organized [[Northern Nigeria Protectorate]]. This remnant became known as "[[Sokoto Sultanate Council]]". In June 1903, the British defeated the remaining forces of Attahiru{{nbsp}}by 1906 resistance to British rule had ended.
 
On 1 January 1914, the British formally united the [[Southern Nigeria Protectorate]] and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate into the [[Colonial Nigeria|Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria]]. Administratively, Nigeria remained divided into the Northern and Southern Protectorates and [[Lagos Colony]]. Inhabitants of the southern region sustained more interaction, economic and cultural, with the British and other Europeans owing to the coastal economy.<ref>Falola, Toyin, and Matthew M. Heaton, ''A History of Nigeria'' (2008), pp. 85–109.</ref> Following [[World War II]], in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence, successive constitutions legislated by the British government moved Nigeria toward self-government on a representative and increasingly federal basis. By the middle of the 20th century, a great [[Decolonisation of Africa|wave for independence]] was sweeping across Africa.
 
Christian missions established Western educational institutions in the protectorates. Under Britain's policy of indirect rule and validation of Islamic tradition, the Crown did not encourage the operation of Christian missions in the northern, Islamic part of the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/history/regional-history-after-1500/slow-death-slavery-course-abolition-northern-nigeria-18971936,%20https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/history/regional-history-after-1500|title=Slow death slavery course abolition northern Nigeria 18971936 {{!}} Regional history after 1500|website=Cambridge University Press|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> Some children of the southern elite went to Great Britain to pursue higher education. By independence in 1960, regional differences in modern educational access were marked. The legacy, though less pronounced, continues to the present day. Imbalances between north and south were expressed in Nigeria's political life as well. For instance, northern Nigeria did not outlaw slavery until 1936 whilst in other parts of Nigeria slavery was abolished soon after colonialism.<ref>{{cite web|title=The end of slavery|work=The Story of Africa|publisher=BBC News|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1624_story_of_africa/page56.shtml|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="slave-trade" />
 
Nigeria gained a degree of self-rule in 1954, and full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960, as the [[Federation of Nigeria]] with [[Abubakar Tafawa Balewa]] as its [[Prime Minister of Nigeria|prime minister]], while retaining the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]], [[Elizabeth II]], as nominal head of state and [[Queen of Nigeria]]. Azikiwe replaced the colonial [[governor-general]] in November 1960. At independence, the cultural and political differences were sharp among Nigeria's dominant ethnic groups: the [[Hausa people|Hausa]] in the north, Igbo in the east and Yoruba in the west.<ref name="JBS2">{{cite journal|author=Udofia, O.E.|year=1981|title=Nigerian Political Parties: Their Role in Modernizing the Political System, 1920–1966|journal=Journal of Black Studies|volume=11|issue=4|pages=435–447|doi=10.1177/002193478101100404|jstor=2784073|s2cid=143073983}}</ref>
 
The founding government was a coalition of conservative parties: the [[Northern People's Congress]] led by Sir [[Ahmadu Bello]], a party dominated by Muslim northerners, and the Igbo and Christian-dominated [[National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons]] led by [[Nnamdi Azikiwe]]. The opposition comprised the comparatively liberal [[Action Group (Nigeria)|Action Group]], which was largely dominated by the [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] and led by [[Obafemi Awolowo]]. An imbalance was created in the polity as the result of the [[Southern Cameroons#Trust territory|1961 plebiscite]]. [[Southern Cameroons]] opted to join the [[Cameroon|Republic of Cameroon]] while [[British Cameroon|Northern Cameroons]] chose to join Nigeria. The northern part of the country became larger than the southern part.
 
=== Republican era ===
'''Fall of the First Republic and Civil War'''{{Main|First Nigerian Republic|Nigerian Civil War|Military dictatorship in Nigeria}}
 
In 1963, the nation established a [[federal republic]], under a parliamentary system of government with Tafawa Belewa as [[Prime minister|Prime Minister]] and [[Nnamdi Azikiwe]] as the ceremonial president. The disequilibrium and perceived corruption of the electoral and political process led to two [[Coup d'état|military coups]] in 1966. The [[1966 Nigerian coup d'état|first coup was in January 1966]] and was led mostly by soldiers under Majors [[Emmanuel Ifeajuna]](of [[Igbo people|Igbo]] tribe) and [[Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu]] ([[Hausa people|Hausa]] of [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern]] extraction) and [[Adewale Ademoyega]]. The coup plotters succeeded in assassinating Sir [[Ahmadu Bello]] and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa alongside prominent leaders of the Northern Region and also Premier [[Ladoke Akintola|Samuel Akintola]] of the [[Western State (Nigeria)|Western Region]], but the coup plotters struggled to form a central government. Senate President [[Nwafor Orizu]] handed over government control to the [[Nigerian Army|Army]], under the command of another Igbo officer, General [[Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi]]. Later, the [[1966 Nigerian counter-coup|counter-coup of 1966]], supported primarily by Northern military officers, facilitated the rise of [[Yakubu Gowon]] as military head of state. Tension rose between north and south; [[1966 anti-Igbo pogrom|Igbos in northern cities suffered persecution]] and many fled to the [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern Region]].<ref>Falola and Heaton, ''A History of Nigeria'' (2008) pp 158–59.</ref>[[File:Biafra independent state map-en.svg|thumb|The [[Biafra|Republic of Biafra]] in June 1967, when it declared its independence from the rest of Nigeria|left]]
 
In May 1967, Governor of the [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern Region]] Lt. Colonel [[C. Odumegwu Ojukwu|Emeka Ojukwu]] declared the region independent from the federation as a state called the [[Biafra|Republic of Biafra]], as a result of the continuous and systematically planned attacks against Igbos and those of [[Eastern Region, Nigeria|Eastern]] Extraction popularly known as 1966 [[1966 anti-Igbo pogrom|pogroms]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Murray|first=Senan|title=Reopening Nigeria's civil war wounds|work=BBC News|date=30 May 2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6657259.stm|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Daly|first=Samuel Fury Childs|title=A History of the Republic of Biafra|date=2020-08-07|publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/9781108887748|isbn=978-1-108-88774-8|s2cid=225266768}}</ref> This declaration precipitated the [[Nigerian Civil War]], which began as the official Nigerian government side attacked Biafra on 6 July 1967, at Garkem. The 30-month war, with a long siege of Biafra and its isolation from trade and supplies, ended in January 1970.<ref name="DDRS">''"Background Paper on Nigeria and Biafra, Declassified Documents Reference System''.</ref> Estimates of the [[List of wars by death toll|number of dead]] in the former Eastern Region during the 30-month civil war range from one to three million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Metz|first=Helen Chapin|title=Nigeria: A Country Study – Civil War|publisher=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]]|year=1991|url=http://countrystudies.us/nigeria/23.htm|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref> France, Egypt, the Soviet Union, Britain, Israel, and others were deeply involved in the civil war behind the scenes. Britain and the Soviet Union were the main military backers of the Nigerian government, with Nigeria utilizing air support from Egyptian pilots provided by [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]],<ref>{{cite web|title=''The Biafra War and the Age of Pestilence''|url=http://www.litencyc.com/theliterarymagazine/biafra.php|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=Litencyc.com|archive-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820081648/https://www.litencyc.com/theliterarymagazine/biafra.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Michael I. Draper, ''Shadows: Airlift and Airwar in Biafra and Nigeria 1967–1970''.</ref> while France and Israel aided the Biafrans. The [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] government, under President [[Mobutu Sese Seko|Joseph-Désiré Mobutu]], took an early stand on the Biafran secession, voicing strong support for the Nigerian federal government<ref>McDonald, Gordon C., ''Area Handbook for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo Kinshasa)'' (1971), p. 263</ref> and deploying thousands of troops to fight against the [[Separatist movements of Nigeria|secessionists]].<ref>Stearns, Jason K. ''Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa'' (2011), p. 115</ref><ref>Wrong, Michela. ''In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz: Living on the Brink of Disaster in Mobutu's Congo'' (2000), p. 266</ref>
 
Following the war, Nigeria enjoyed an [[oil boom]] in the 1970s, during which the country joined [[OPEC]] and received huge oil revenues. Despite these revenues, the military government did little to improve the [[standard of living]] of the population, help small and medium businesses, or invest in infrastructure. As oil revenues fuelled the rise of federal subsidies to states, the federal government became the centre of political struggle and the threshold of power in the country. As oil production and revenue rose, the Nigerian government became increasingly dependent on oil revenues and international commodity markets for budgetary and economic concerns.<ref>Watts, Michael (1987) ''State, Oil and Agriculture in Nigeria'', Institute of International Studies, University of California, {{ISBN|0-87725-166-5}}.</ref> The [[1975 Nigerian coup d'état|coup in July 1975]], led by Generals [[Shehu Musa Yar'Adua]] and [[Joseph Nanven Garba|Joseph Garba]], ousted Gowon,{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=42–43|2a1=Erfler|2y=2011|2p=81}} who fled to Britain.{{sfn|Erfler|2011|p=82}} The coup plotters wanted to replace Gowon's autocratic rule with a triumvirate of three brigadier generals whose decisions could be vetoed by a [[Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1966–1979)|Supreme Military Council]]. For this triumvirate, they convinced General [[Murtala Muhammed]] to become military head of state, with General [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] as his second-in-command, and General [[Theophilus Danjuma]] as the third.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=43|2a1=Erfler|2y=2011|2p=81}} Together, the triumvirate introduced austerity measures to stem inflation, established a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, replaced all military governors with new officers, and launched "Operation Deadwood" through which they fired 11,000 officials from the civil service.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=44}}
 
Colonel [[Buka Suka Dimka]] launched a [[1976 Nigerian coup d'état attempt|February 1976 coup attempt]], during which General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated. Dimka lacked widespread support among the military, and his coup failed, forcing him to flee.{{sfn|Iliffe|2011|p=48}} After the coup attempt, General Olusegun Obasanjo was appointed military head of state.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1pp=48-49|2a1=Erfler|2y=2011|2p=85}} As head of state, Obasanjo vowed to continue Murtala's policies.{{sfnm|1a1=Iliffe|1y=2011|1p=50|2a1=Erfler|2y=2011|2p=85}} Aware of the danger of alienating northern Nigerians, Obasanjo brought General Shehu Yar'Adua as his replacement and second-in-command as [[Vice President of Nigeria|Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters]] completing the military triumvirate, with Obasanjo as head of state and General [[Theophilus Danjuma]] as [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]], the three went on to re-establish control over the [[Nigerian military juntas of 1966–79 and 1983–99|military regime]] and organized the military's transfer of power programme: [[States of Nigeria|states creation]] and [[Boundary delimitation|national delimitation]], [[Local government areas of Nigeria|local government reforms]] and the [[Constitution of Nigeria#1979 constitution (Second Republic)|constitutional drafting committee]] for a new republic.<ref>African Concord (1990). The New Helmsmen. Concord Press, Ikeja, Lagos. August 13, 1990</ref>


'''Second Republic (1979–1983)'''{{Main|Second Nigerian Republic}}
==History==
[[File:Shehu Shagari 1980-10-07.jpg|left|thumb|Shehu Shagari was the first democratically elected [[President of Nigeria]] from 1979 to 1983.]]
From the 1500s to the 1800s, many people from the land now called Nigeria (and other parts of West Africa) were taken away and turned into [[slavery|slaves]] by [[Europe]]ans, and they were sent to work in the [[Americas]]. These slaves were bought and sold in the Americas by Europeans who lived there. Today, many people related to those slaves still live in America, though they are no longer slaves. They are called [[African Americans]].
In 1977, a [[constituent assembly]] was elected to draft a new constitution, which was published on September 21, 1978, when the ban on political activity was lifted. The military carefully planned the return to civilian rule putting in place measures to ensure that political parties had broader support than witnessed during the first republic. In 1979, five political parties competed in a series of elections in which Alhaji [[Shehu Shagari]] of the [[National Party of Nigeria]] (NPN) was elected president. All five parties won representation in the National Assembly. On October 1, 1979, Shehu Shagari was sworn in as the first [[President of Nigeria|President and Commander-in-Chief]] of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Obasanjo peacefully transferred power to Shagari, becoming the first head of state in Nigerian history to willingly step down.


The Shagari government became viewed as corrupt by virtually all sectors of Nigerian society. In 1983, the inspectors of the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation began to notice "the slow poisoning of the waters of this country".<ref>David Williams, ''President and power in Nigeria: The life of Shehu Shagari'' (Routledge, 2018).</ref><ref name="igbo2">{{cite book|author=Nnamdi J.O. Ijeaku|title=The Igbo and their Niger Delta Neighbors: We Are No Second Fools|publisher=Xlibris|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4628-0861-8|page=193}}</ref> In August 1983 Shagari and the NPN were returned to power in a landslide victory, with a majority of seats in the National Assembly and control of 12 state governments. But the elections were marred by violence, and allegations of widespread vote-rigging and electoral malfeasance led to legal battles over the results. There were also uncertainties, such as in the first republic, that political leaders may be unable to govern properly.
From 1901 to 1960, the [[United Kingdom]] ruled Nigeria. However, by 1960 the people wanted independence, and Britain finally let them have it. For some time after this, Nigeria was a [[dictatorship]], where the leaders stayed in control even if the majority of people disliked them. At this time, the [[Nigerian Civil War]] was by [[separatist]] Christian [[Igbo people]] in the Southeast against the Nigerian government. They did not want to be a part of Nigeria, which was ruled by The Muslim north and mixed west. The war ended with a reunification of Nigeria.


'''Military and Third Republic (1983–1999)'''{{Main|Military dictatorship in Nigeria|Third Nigerian Republic}}
In 1999, Nigeria became a [[democracy]], where people choose their leaders. After that, [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], a [[Yoruba]] [[Christian]] from the south, became President. In 2007, [[Umaru Yar'Adua]], a [[Hausa]] [[Muslim]], was elected to be the next President. Yar'Adua died in May, 2009. [[Goodluck Jonathan]], the [[vice president]], then became president.
The [[1983 Nigerian coup d'état|1983 military coup d'état]] took place on New Year's Eve of that year. It was coordinated by key officers of the Nigerian military and led to the overthrow of the government and the installation of Major General [[Muhammadu Buhari]] as head of state. The military coup of Muhammadu Buhari shortly after the regime's re-election in 1984 was generally viewed as a positive development.<ref>"Nigeria, Military Faces Daunting Challenges", AP Press International, 3{{nbsp}}March 1984. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> Buhari promised major reforms, but his government fared little better than its predecessor. General Buhari was overthrown in a [[1985 Nigerian coup d'état|1985 military coup d'état]] led by General [[Ibrahim Babangida]], who established the [[Armed Forces Ruling Council (Nigeria)|Armed Forces Ruling Council]] and became military president and commander in chief of the armed forces.<ref name="Globe22">"Nigeria stays calms as leader toppled in bloodless coup", ''The Globe and Mail'', 28 August 1985. Retrieved 22 February 2007.</ref> In 1986, he established the [[Nigerian Political Bureau of 1986|Nigerian Political Bureau]] which made recommendations for the transition to the Third Nigerian Republic. In 1989, Babangida started making plans for the transition to the Third Nigerian Republic. Babangida survived the [[1990 Nigerian coup d'état attempt]], then postponed a promised return to democracy to 1992.<ref>{{Citation|last=Siollun|first=Max|editor1-first=Carl|editor1-last=Levan|editor2-first=Patrick|editor2-last=Ukata|title=Civil Military Affairs and Military Culture in Post-Transition Nigeria|date=2018-10-25|work=The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics|pages=272–287|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198804307.013.13|isbn=978-0-19-880430-7}}</ref>


He legalized the formation of political parties and formed the two-party system with the [[Social Democratic Party (Nigeria)|Social Democratic Party]] and [[National Republican Convention]] ahead of the [[1992 Nigerian parliamentary election|1992 general elections]]. He urged all Nigerians to join either of the parties, which Chief [[Bola Ige]] referred to as "two leper hands." The two-party state had been a Political Bureau recommendation. After a census was conducted, the [[Independent National Electoral Commission|National Electoral Commission]] announced on 24 January 1992, that both [[1992 Nigerian parliamentary election|legislative elections]] to a bicameral [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]] and a presidential election would be held later that year. The adopted process advocated that any candidate needed to pass through adoption for all elective positions from the local government, state government and federal government.<ref name="AP2">Holman, Michael (24 February 1986), "Nigeria, Politics; Religious Differences Intensify", ''Financial Times''.</ref>
Goodluck Jonathan was re-elected as the president after wining the 2011 general elections under the political party, PDP.  


The [[1993 Nigerian presidential election|1993 presidential election]] held on 12 June, was the first since the military coup of 1983. The results, though not officially declared by the National Electoral Commission, showed the duo of [[Moshood Abiola]] and [[Baba Gana Kingibe]] of the Social Democratic Party defeated [[Bashir Tofa]] and [[Sylvester Ugoh]] of the National Republican Convention by over 2.3&nbsp;million votes. However, Babangida annulled the elections, leading to massive civilian protests that effectively shut down the country for weeks. In August 1993, Babangida finally kept his promise to relinquish power to a civilian government but not before appointing [[Ernest Shonekan]] head of the [[Cabinet of Ernest Shonekan|interim national government]].<ref>Bilski, Andrew, "Broken Promises", ''Maclean'', 6 September 1993.</ref> Babangida's regime has been considered the most corrupt and responsible for creating a culture of corruption in Nigeria.<ref>Diamond, Larry; [[Kirk-Greene, Anthony]]; [[Oyeleye Oyediran]] (1997) ''Transition without End: Nigerian Politics and Civil Society Under Babangida'', Vantage Publishers, {{ISBN|978-2458-54-6}}.</ref> Shonekan's interim government, the shortest in the political history of the country, was overthrown in a [[1993 Nigerian coup d'état|coup d'état of 1993]] led by General [[Sani Abacha]], who used military force on a wide scale to suppress the continuing civilian unrest.
He served as the country's president until 2015.


In 1995, the government hanged environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa on trumped-up charges in the deaths of four [[Ogoni people|Ogoni]] elders. Which caused Nigerian's [[Suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations|suspension from Commonwealth]]. Lawsuits under the American [[Alien Tort Statute]] against [[Royal Dutch Shell]] and Brian Anderson, the head of Shell's Nigerian operation, settled out of court with Shell continuing to deny liability.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wiwa et al v. Royal Dutch Petroleum et al.|url=http://wiwavshell.org/|work=Center for Constitutional Rights}}</ref> Several hundred million dollars in accounts traced to Abacha were discovered in 1999.<ref>''"Nigerian Lawyer: Abacha accounts apparently in Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, and Germany", AP press, 10 January 2000.''</ref> The regime came to an end in 1998 when the dictator died in the villa. He looted money to offshore accounts in western European banks and defeated coup plots by arresting and bribing generals and politicians. His successor, General [[Abdulsalami Abubakar]], adopted a new constitution on May 5, 1999, which provided for multiparty elections.
In the early 21st century, there are several [[low-intensity conflict|low-intensity]] [[armed conflict]]s. These include the [[insurgency]] by the [[Islamism|Islamist]] group [[Boko Haram]]. The [[Boko Haram insurgency]] happens mostly in the [[North East (Nigeria)|northeast]]. This group wants [[Sharia law]] for the country.<ref>From Cultural Justice to Inter-Ethnic Mediation, Basil Ugorji - 2012</ref> Another is the [[Nigerian bandit conflict]], in which [[bandit]] [[gang]]s carry out attacks, mostly in the [[North West (Nigeria)|northwest]]. There is a [[insurgency in Southeastern Nigeria|separatist insurgency]] in the [[South East (Nigeria)|southeast]].
 
'''Fourth Republic (1999–present)'''{{Main|Fourth Nigerian Republic}}
[[File:Olusegun Obasanjo DD-SC-07-14396-cropped.jpg|thumb|[[Olusegun Obasanjo]] was civilian President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.]]
On May 29, 1999, Abubakar transferred power to the winner of the [[1999 Nigerian presidential election|1999 presidential election]], former military ruler General [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] as the second democratically elected civilian President of Nigeria heralding the beginning of the Fourth Nigerian Republic.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/2391/Abdusalam-Abubakar "Abdusalam Abubakar"], Encyclopædia Britannica Online, accessed 26 October 2012.</ref> This ended almost 33 years of military rule from 1966 until 1999, excluding the short-lived second republic (between 1979 and 1983) by military dictators who seized power in coups d'état and counter-coups.
 
Although the elections that brought Obasanjo to power and for a second term in the [[2003 Nigerian presidential election|2003 presidential election]] were condemned as unfree and unfair, Nigeria has shown marked improvements in attempts to tackle government corruption and hasten development.<ref>Falola and Heaton, ''A History of Nigeria'' (2008) pp. 211–34.</ref> [[Conflict in the Niger Delta|Ethnic violence for control over the oil-producing Niger Delta]] region and an [[Boko Haram insurgency|insurgency in the northeast]] are some of the issues facing the country. [[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]] of the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] came into power in the [[2007 Nigerian general election|general election of 2007]]. The international community, which had been observing Nigerian elections to encourage a free and fair process, condemned this one as being severely flawed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Report|url=http://www.eueom-ng.org/Files/final_report.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216032839/http://www.eueom-ng.org/Files/final_report.pdf|archive-date=16 February 2008|access-date=24 January 2008|publisher=EU Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2007}}</ref> President Olusegun Obasanjo acknowledged fraud and other electoral "lapses" but said the result reflected opinion polls. In a national television address in 2007, he added that if Nigerians did not like the victory of his handpicked successor, they would have an opportunity to vote again in four years.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGreal|first=Chris|date=24 April 2007|title=Ruling party named winner in disputed Nigerian election|work=The Guardian|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/international/story/0,,2064068,00.html|access-date=21 November 2008}}</ref> Yar'Adua died on May 5, 2010. &nbsp;[[Goodluck Jonathan]] was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor,<ref>{{cite news|date=6 May 2010|title=Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as president|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8664150.stm|access-date=28 May 2011}}</ref> becoming the 14th head of state.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 May 2010|title=NASS confirms Sambo as vice president|url=https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/movie/24352/nass-confirm-sambo-as-vice-president.html|access-date=29 May 2011|work=[[The Nigerian Voice]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Akinlade|first=Muruf|date=18 May 2010|title=National Assembly confirms Sambo as Vice President|url=http://www.myondostate.com/myondostate/newssend.php?id=203|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427025349/http://www.myondostate.com/myondostate/newssend.php?id=203|archive-date=27 April 2011|access-date=29 May 2011|publisher=MyOndoState.Com}}</ref> Jonathan went on to win the [[2011 Nigerian presidential election|2011 presidential election]], with the international media reporting the elections as having run smoothly with relatively little violence or voter fraud, in contrast to previous elections.<ref name="New York2">{{cite news|last=Nossiter|first=Adam|date=16 April 2011|title=Nigerians Vote in Presidential Election|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/world/africa/17nigeria.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp|access-date=17 April 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|[[Muhammadu Buhari]] is currently serving as President of Nigeria, since 2015.]]
Ahead of the [[2015 Nigerian general election|general election of 2015]], a merger of the biggest opposition parties – the [[Action Congress of Nigeria]], the [[Congress for Progressive Change]], the [[All Nigeria Peoples Party]] (a faction of the [[All Progressives Grand Alliance]]), and the new PDP (a faction of serving governors of the ruling People's Democratic Party) – formed the [[All Progressives Congress]]. In the 2015 presidential election, former military head of state General Muhammadu Buhari – who had previously contested in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 presidential elections—defeated incumbent Jonathan of the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party]] by over two million votes, ending the party's sixteen-year rule in the country and marking the first time in the history of Nigeria that an incumbent president lost to an opposition candidate. Observers generally praised the election as being fair. Jonathan was generally praised for conceding defeat and limiting the risk of unrest.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nigeria election: Muhammadu Buhari wins|newspaper=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32139858|access-date=31 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=1 April 2015|title=Obama praises Nigeria's president for conceding defeat|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/obama-praises-nigerias-president-for-conceding-defeat/|access-date=4 April 2015|publisher=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=APC praises Jonathan for conceding defeat|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/apc-praises-jonathan-for-conceding-defeat/|magazine=The Nation|access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=31 March 2015|title=Anyaoku Praises Jonathan For Conceding Defeat|url=http://www.channelstv.com/2015/03/31/anyaoku-praises-jonathan-for-conceding-defeat/|access-date=4 April 2015|publisher=Channels Television}}</ref> In the [[2019 Nigerian general election|2019 presidential election]], Buhari was re-elected for a second term in office defeating his closet rival [[Atiku Abubakar]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=AfricaNews|date=2019-02-27|title=Buhari beats Atiku to secure re-election as Nigeria president|url=https://www.africanews.com/2019/02/27/buhari-beats-atiku-to-secure-re-election-as-nigeria-president/|access-date=2020-07-05|website=Africanews|language=en}}</ref>
 
== Politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Nigeria}}
[[File:National_Assembly_Building,_Abuja,_Nigeria.jpg|thumb|[[National Assembly (Nigeria)|Nigerian National Assembly]], Abuja]]
Nigeria is a [[federal republic]] modelled after the [[United States]],<ref>Charles Mwalimu. ''The Nigerian Legal System: Public Law''. Peter Lang. 2005. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QWrGlYsCwPIC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA6#v=onepage&q&f=false p. 6].</ref> with executive power exercised by the [[President of Nigeria|President]]. The president is both [[head of state]] and [[Head of government|head of the federal government]]; the president is [[Direct election|elected by popular vote]] to a maximum of two four-year terms.<ref name="factbook3">{{cite web|title=Nigeria|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|work=[[The World Factbook]]|date=14 February 2022|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] (United States)}}</ref> The president's power is checked by a [[Senate of Nigeria|Senate]] and a [[House of Representatives (Nigeria)|House of Representatives]], which are combined in a [[Bicameralism|bicameral body]] called the [[National Assembly (Nigeria)|National Assembly]]. The Senate is a 109-seat body with three members from each state and one from the capital region of Abuja; members are elected by popular vote to four-year terms. The House contains 360 seats, with the number of seats per state determined by population.<ref name="factbook3" />
{{Nigerian symbols}}
Ethnocentrism, tribalism, religious persecution, and [[prebendalism]] have plagued Nigerian politics both before and after independence in 1960. All major parties have practised vote-rigging and other means of coercion to remain competitive. In the period before 1983 election, a report prepared by the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies showed that only the 1959 and 1979 elections were held without systemic rigging.<ref>Ibrahim, Jibrin (2006) [https://web.archive.org/web/20131219184548/http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/afrikan-world-news/17537-third-term-agenda-nigeria-cross-roads.html "Legislation and the Electoral Process: The Third Term Agenda and the Future of Nigerian Democracy"]. Paper for Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Nigeria Roundtable.</ref> In 2012, Nigeria was estimated to have lost over $400&nbsp;billion to [[Corruption in Nigeria|corruption since independence]].<ref>{{cite web|date=31 August 2012|title=Nigeria has lost $400bn oil revenue to corruption since Independence – Ezekwesili|url=http://dailypost.ng/2012/08/31/nigeria-lost-400bn-oil-revenue-corruption-since-independence-ezekwesili/|publisher=Daily Post Nigeria}}</ref> Kin-selective altruism is prevalent in Nigerian politics, resulting in tribalist efforts to concentrate Federal power to a particular region of their interests.<ref>[[Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi]], who served briefly as Nigeria's second president, devoted his government to combating this phenomenon with Decree 33, which banned 81 political parties and 26 tribal and cultural organizations in the name of national unity. See Osaghae, ''The Crippled Giant: Nigeria Since Independence'', Indiana University Press, 1998, p. 57. {{ISBN|0-253-21197-2}}.</ref> Because of the above issues, Nigeria's political parties are [[Pan-nationalism|pan-national]] and secular in character (though this does not preclude the continuing preeminence of the dominant ethnicities).<ref name="rashid32">{{cite journal|last1=Rashid|first1=Khadijat K.|year=2003|title=Ethnicity and Sub-Nationalism in Nigeria: Movement for a Mid-West State/Ethnic Politics in Kenya and Nigeria/Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nigeria|journal=African Studies Review|volume=46|issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lancia|first=Nicole|title=Ethnic Politics in Nigeria: The Realities of Regionalism|url=http://www12.georgetown.edu/students/organizations/nscs/capitalscholar/lancia2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208073259/http://www12.georgetown.edu/students/organizations/nscs/capitalscholar/lancia2.html|archive-date=8 February 2012|access-date=28 May 2011|publisher=[[Georgetown University]]}}</ref> The two major political parties are the [[People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)|People's Democratic Party of Nigeria]] and the [[All Progressives Congress]], with twenty registered minor opposition parties.
 
Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo are the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria and have maintained historical preeminence in Nigerian politics; competition amongst these three groups has fuelled animosity.<ref name="rashid32"/> Following the bloody civil war, nationalism has seen an increase in the southern part of the country leading to active secessionist movements such as the [[Oodua Peoples Congress]] and the [[Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra]], though these groups are generally small they are somewhat representative of the entire ethnic group.
 
=== Law ===
{{Main|Law of Nigeria}}
The country has a [[Judiciary|judicial branch]], with the highest court being the [[Supreme Court of Nigeria]].<ref name="factbook3" /> There are three distinct systems of law in Nigeria:
 
* [[Common law]], derived from its British colonial past, and development of its own after independence;
* [[Customary law]], derived from indigenous traditional norms and practice, including the dispute resolution meetings of pre-colonial Yorubaland secret societies such as the [[Oyo Mesi]] and [[Ogboni]], as well as the [[Ekpe]] and Okonko of [[Igboland]] and [[Ibibio people|Ibibioland]];
* [[Sharia]] law, used only in the predominantly Muslim northern states of the country. It is an Islamic legal system that had been used long before the colonial administration.
The laws of Nigeria are written down, meaning that Nigeria practises [[written constitution]]. The current written constitution of Nigeria is the 1999 constitution as amended.<ref>{{Cite book|last=jurisdiction.|first=Nigeria, enacting|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1097435861|title=Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 [with the First, Second, and Third Alterations].|oclc=1097435861}}</ref>
 
=== Military ===
{{Main|Nigerian Armed Forces}}
[[File:ZSU-23-4_Shilka_01.jpg|thumb|[[Nigerian Army]] self-propelled anti-aircraft gun]]
[[File:Nigerian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-24V_Iwelumo-1.jpg|thumb|[[Nigerian Air Force]] Mil Mi-35P]]
The Nigerian military is charged with protecting the Federal Republic of Nigeria, promoting Nigeria's global security interests, and supporting peacekeeping efforts, especially in West Africa. This is in support of the doctrine sometimes called [[Pax Nigeriana]]. The Nigerian Military consists of an [[Nigerian Army|army]], a [[Nigerian Navy|navy]], and an [[Nigerian Air Force|air force]].<ref name="factbook3" /> The military in Nigeria has played a major role in the country's history since independence. Various juntas have seized control of the country and ruled it through most of its history. Its last period of military rule ended in 1999 following the sudden death of [[Sani Abacha]] in 1998. His successor, Abdulsalam Abubakar, handed over power to the democratically elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo the next year.
 
As Africa's most populated country, Nigeria has repositioned its military as a peacekeeping force on the continent. Since 1995, the Nigerian military, through [[ECOMOG]] mandates, has been deployed as peacekeepers in [[Liberia]] (1997), [[Ivory Coast]] (1997–1999), and [[Sierra Leone]] (1997–1999).<ref name="Press3">O'Loughlin, Ed (11 March 1998) [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/nigerians-outshine-the-british-brass-1149561.html "Nigerians outshine the British brass"], ''The Independent (London)''</ref> Under an [[African Union]] mandate, it has stationed forces in Sudan's [[Darfur conflict|Darfur]] region to try to establish peace. The Nigerian military has been deployed across West Africa, curbing terrorism in countries such as [[Mali]], [[Senegal]], [[Chad]], and [[Cameroon]], as well as dealing with the [[Mali War]], and getting [[Yahya Jammeh]] out of power in 2017.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
 
=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Nigeria}}
[[File:MinForeignAffairs.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|The Ministry of [[Foreign Affairs]], [[Abuja]]]]
Upon gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria made African unity the centrepiece of its foreign policy and played a leading role in the fight against the [[apartheid]] government in South Africa.<ref>Young, Andrew (20 July 2006) [http://allafrica.com/stories/200607200078.html "Collins Edomaruse, how Obasanjo cut UK, US to size"], ''This Day'' (Nigeria).</ref> One exception to the African focus was Nigeria's close relationship developed with Israel throughout the 1960s. Israel sponsored and oversaw the construction of Nigeria's parliament buildings.<ref>Burkett, Elinor (2009) ''Golda'', HarperCollins, {{ISBN|0-06-187395-0}}, p. 202.</ref>
 
Nigeria's foreign policy was put to the test in the 1970s after the country emerged united from its civil war. It supported movements against white minority governments in the Southern Africa sub-region. Nigeria backed the [[African National Congress]] by taking a committed tough line about the South African government and their military actions in southern Africa. Nigeria was a founding member of the [[Organisation of African Unity|Organisation for African Unity]] (now the [[African Union]]) and has tremendous influence in West Africa and Africa on the whole. Nigeria founded regional cooperative efforts in West Africa, functioning as the standard-bearer for the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) and [[ECOMOG]] (especially during the Liberia and Sierra Leone civil wars) - which are economic and military organizations, respectively.
 
With this Africa-centred stance, Nigeria readily [[Congo Crisis|sent troops to the Congo]] at the behest of the United Nations shortly after independence (and has maintained membership since that time). Nigeria also supported several Pan-African and pro-self government causes in the 1970s, including garnering support for [[Angola]]'s [[Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola|MPLA]], [[SWAPO]] in Namibia, and aiding opposition to the minority governments of [[Mozambican War of Independence|Portuguese Mozambique]], and [[Rhodesian Bush War|Rhodesia]]. Nigeria retains membership in the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. In late November 2006, it organized an Africa-South America Summit in [[Abuja]] to promote what some attendees termed "South-South" linkages on a variety of fronts.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 November 2006|title=ASAS – Africa-South America Summit|url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Conferences/Past/2006/November/SummitASA/summit.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518172006/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Conferences/Past/2006/November/SummitASA/summit.htm|archive-date=18 May 2011|access-date=29 May 2011|publisher=[[African Union]]}}</ref> Nigeria is also a member of the [[International Criminal Court]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. It was temporarily expelled from the latter in 1995 when ruled by the [[Sani Abacha|Abacha regime]].
[[File:President_Barack_Obama_and_First_Lady_Michelle_Obama_greet_His_Excellency_Goodluck_Ebele_Jonathan,_President_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Former Nigerian President [[Goodluck Jonathan]] (centre) with United States President [[Barack Obama]] and First Lady [[Michelle Obama]] in August 2014]]
Nigeria has remained a key player in the [[Petroleum industry|international oil industry]] since the 1970s and maintains membership in [[OPEC]], which it joined in July 1971. Its [[Petroleum industry in Nigeria|status as a major petroleum producer]] figures prominently in its sometimes volatile international relations with [[Developed country|developed countries]], notably the United States, and with developing countries.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Timothy, Shaw|year=1984|title=The State of Nigeria: Oil Prices Power Bases and Foreign Policy|journal=Canadian Journal of African Studies|volume=18|issue=2|pages=393–405|doi=10.2307/484337|jstor=484337}}</ref>
 
Since 2000, [[China–Nigeria relations|Chinese–Nigerian trade relations]] have risen exponentially. There has been an increase in total trade of over 10,384&nbsp;million dollars between the two nations from 2000 to 2016.<ref>LeVan, Carl; Ukata, Patrick (2018). ''The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;751. {{ISBN|978-0-19-880430-7}}.</ref> However, the structure of the Chinese–Nigerian trade relationship has become a major political issue for the Nigerian state. This is illustrated by the fact that Chinese exports account for around 80 per cent of total bilateral trade volumes.<ref>LeVan, Carl; Ukata, Patrick (2018). ''The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;756. {{ISBN|978-0-19-880430-7}}.</ref> This has resulted in a serious [[Balance of trade|trade imbalance]], with Nigeria importing ten times more than it exports to China.<ref>LeVan, Carl; Ukata, Patrick (2018). ''The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;754. {{ISBN|978-0-19-880430-7}}.</ref> Subsequently, Nigeria's economy is becoming over-reliant on cheap imports to sustain itself, resulting in a clear decline in Nigerian industry under such arrangements.<ref>LeVan, Carl; Ukata, Patrick (2018). ''The Oxford Handbook of Nigerian Politics''. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p.&nbsp;754–755. {{ISBN|978-0-19-880430-7}}.</ref>
 
Continuing its Africa-centred foreign policy, Nigeria introduced the idea of a [[Currency union|single currency]] for West Africa known as the [[Eco (currency)|Eco]] under the presumption that it would be led by the [[Nigerian naira|naira]]. But on 21 December 2019, [[List of heads of state of Ivory Coast|Ivorian President]] [[Alassane Ouattara]], [[Emmanuel Macron]], and multiple other [[Economic Community of West African States|UEMOA]] states announced that they would merely rename the [[CFA franc]] instead of replacing the currency as originally intended. As of 2020, the Eco currency has been delayed to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Elliot|date=2020-09-29|title=West Africa's new currency could now be delayed by five years|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/west-africas-new-currency-could-now-be-delayed-by-five-years.html|access-date=2020-11-17|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>
 
=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Nigeria}}
[[File:Political_map_of_Nigeria.svg|thumb|alt=|Map of Nigeria with administrative divisions]]
Nigeria is divided into [[States of Nigeria|thirty-six states]] and one [[Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria|Federal Capital Territory]], which are further sub-divided into 774 [[Local government areas of Nigeria|local government areas]]. In some contexts, the states are aggregated into [[Geopolitical zones of Nigeria|six geopolitical zones]]: [[North West (Nigeria)|North West]], [[North East (Nigeria)|North East]], [[North Central, Nigeria|North Central]], [[South West (Nigeria)|South West]], [[South East (Nigeria)|South East]], and [[South South]].<ref>{{cite web|date=4 November 2012|title=Constitution amendment: What the people want|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/11/constitution-amendment-what-the-people-want/|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 December 2012|title=Constitutional review: Nigeria needs broader representation|url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106778:constitutional-review-nigeria-needs-broader-representation-&catid=203:youth-speak&Itemid=730|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511123924/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106778%3Aconstitutional-review-nigeria-needs-broader-representation-&catid=203%3Ayouth-speak&Itemid=730|archive-date=11 May 2013|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref>
 
Nigeria has five cities with a population of over a million (from largest to smallest): [[Lagos]], [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Ibadan]], [[Benin City]] and [[Port Harcourt]]. Lagos is the [[List of most populous cities in Africa|largest city in Africa]], with a population of over [[List of metropolitan areas by population|12 million]] in its [[urban area]].<ref name="felix2">{{cite news|last=Onuah|first=Felix|date=29 December 2006|title=Nigeria gives census result, avoids risky details|agency=Reuters|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L29819278.htm|access-date=23 November 2008}}</ref>


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Nigeria|Geology of Nigeria}}
Nigeria has a total area of {{convert|923768|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rank Order – Area|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html|accessdate=29 May 2011|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209041128/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the world's 32nd-largest country. It shares a border with [[Benin]] (773&nbsp;km), [[Niger]] (1497&nbsp;km), [[Chad]] (87&nbsp;km) and [[Cameroon]] (1690&nbsp;km). It has a coastline of at least 853&nbsp;km.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Africa :: Nigeria|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|date=17 May 2011|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html|accessdate=29 May 2011|archive-date=31 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831040543/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Nigeria is located in western Africa on the [[Gulf of Guinea]] and has a total area of {{convert|923768|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}},<ref>{{cite web|title=Rank Order – Area|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html|access-date=29 May 2011|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|archive-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209041128/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2147rank.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> making it the world's [[List of countries and dependencies by area|32nd-largest country]]. Its borders span {{convert|4,047|km|mi}}, and it shares borders with Benin ({{convert|773|km|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}), Niger ({{convert|1,497|km|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}), Chad ({{convert|87|km|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}), and Cameroon (including the separatist [[Ambazonia]]) {{convert|1,690|km|mi|disp=or|abbr=on}}. Its [[coastline]] is at least {{convert|853|km|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 May 2011|title=Africa :: Nigeria|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=29 May 2011|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]}} *Note that coastlines, and borders based on rivers or natural features, are fractals, the length of which is imprecise and depends on the measurement convention adopted.</ref> Nigeria lies between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°]] and [[14th parallel north|14°N]], and longitudes [[2nd meridian east|2°]] and [[15th meridian east|15°E]]. The highest point in Nigeria is [[Chappal Waddi]] at {{convert|2419|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The main rivers are the [[Niger River|Niger]] and the [[Benue River|Benue]], which converge and empty into the [[Niger Delta]]. This is one of the world's largest river deltas and the location of a large area of Central African [[mangrove]]s.
[[File:Zuma rock.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Zuma Rock]] near Suleja]]
 
The highest point in Nigeria is [[Chappal Waddi]] at {{convert|2419|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The main rivers are the [[Niger River|Niger]] and the [[Benue River]]. They come together and empty into the [[Niger Delta]], one of the world's largest [[river delta]]s. It is the location of a large area of Central African [[mangrove]]s.
Nigeria's most expansive topographical region is that of the valleys of the Niger and Benue river valleys (which merge and form a Y-shape).<ref name="encarta22">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Nigeria|encyclopedia=[[Encarta]]|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557915/Nigeria.html|access-date=19 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031111170137/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557915/Nigeria.html|archive-date=11 November 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> To the southwest of the Niger is a "rugged" [[Highland (geography)|highland]]. To the southeast of the Benue are hills and mountains, which form the [[Mambilla Plateau]], the highest plateau in Nigeria. This plateau extends through the border with [[Cameroon]], where the [[montane]] land is part of the [[Bamenda Highlands]] of Cameroon.
 
=== Climate ===
Nigeria has a varied landscape. The far south is defined by its [[tropical rainforest climate]], where annual rainfall is {{convert|60|to|80|in|mm|-2|order=flip}} per year.<ref name="gai52">{{cite web|title=Regions Used to Interpret the Complexity of Nigeria|url=http://www.uni.edu/gai/Nigeria/Background/Standard5.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414075757/http://www.uni.edu/gai/Nigeria/Background/Standard5.html|archive-date=14 April 2009|access-date=19 July 2007|work=Geographical Alliance of Iowa|publisher=[[University of Northern Iowa]]}}</ref> In the southeast stands the [[Obudu Plateau]]. [[Coastal plain]]s are found in both the southwest and the southeast.<ref name="encarta22"/> [[Mangrove swamp]]s are found along the coast.<ref name="gai42">{{cite web|title=The Human and Physical Characteristics of Nigeria|url=http://www.uni.edu/gai/Nigeria/Background/Standard4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328172528/http://www.uni.edu/gai/Nigeria/Background/Standard4.html|archive-date=28 March 2010|access-date=13 August 2007|work=Geographical Alliance of Iowa|publisher=[[University of Northern Iowa]]}}</ref>[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_NGA_present.svg|thumb|alt=|Climate map of Nigeria]]
 
The area near the border with Cameroon close to the coast is rich rainforest and part of the [[Cross–Sanaga–Bioko coastal forests|Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests]] [[ecoregion]], an important centre for [[biodiversity]]. It is a habitat for the [[Drill (animal)|drill primate]], which is found in the wild only in this area and across the border in Cameroon. The areas surrounding [[Calabar]], Cross River State, also in this forest, are believed to contain the world's largest diversity of butterflies. The area of southern Nigeria between the Niger and the [[Cross River (Nigeria)|Cross Rivers]] has lost most of its forest because of development and harvesting by increased population, with it being [[Cross–Niger transition forests|replaced by grassland]].
 
Everything in between the far south and the far north is [[savanna]]h (insignificant tree cover, with grasses and flowers located between trees). Rainfall is more limited to between {{convert|20|and|60|in|mm|-2|order=flip}} per year.<ref name="gai52" /> The savannah zone's three categories are [[Guinean forest–savanna mosaic|Guinean forest-savanna mosaic]], Sudan savannah, and Sahel savannah. Guinean forest-savanna mosaic is plains of tall grass interrupted by trees. Sudan savannah is similar but with shorter grasses and shorter trees. Sahel savannah consists of patches of grass and sand, found in the northeast.<ref name="gai42" /> In the Sahel region, rain is less than {{convert|20|in|mm|sigfig=1|order=flip}} per year, and the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] is encroaching.<ref name="gai52" /> In the dry northeast corner of the country lies [[Lake Chad]], which Nigeria shares with Niger, Chad and Cameroon.
 
=== Plant ecology ===
Nigeria has numerous tree species, of which the majority of them are native while few are exotic. A high percentage of man-made forests in the country is dominated by exotic species.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Onefeli|first1=Alfred|last2=Adesoye|first2=Peter|date=2014-06-23|title=Early Growth Assessment of Selected Exotic and Indigenous Tree Species in Nigeria|url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/123295|journal=South-East European Forestry |language=en|volume=5|issue=1|pages=45–51|doi=10.15177/seefor.14-06|issn=1847-6481|doi-access=free}}</ref> This culminated from the assumption that exotic trees are fast-growing. However, studies have also investigated the growth of indigenous trees in with that of exotic species. Due to overexploitation, the remaining natural ecosystems and primary forests in Nigeria are restricted to the protected areas which include one biosphere reserve, seven national parks, one World Heritage site, 12 Strict Nature Reserves (SNRs), 32 game reserves/wildlife sanctuaries, and hundreds of forest reserves. These are in addition to several ex-situ conservation sites such as arboreta, botanical gardens, zoological gardens, and gene banks managed by several tertiary and research institutions<ref name=":122">{{Cite journal|last1=Kallah|first1=Muh. S|last2=Bale|first2=J. O|last3=Abdullahi|first3=U. S|last4=Muhammad|first4=I. R|last5=Lawal|first5=R|date=2000-04-10|title=Nutrient composition of native forbs of semi-arid and dry sub-humid savannas of Nigeria|journal=Animal Feed Science and Technology|language=en|volume=84|issue=1|pages=137–145|doi=10.1016/S0377-8401(99)00131-5|issn=0377-8401}}</ref>
 
Many countries in Africa are affected by Invasive Alien Species (IAS). In 2004, the IUCN–World Conservation Union identified 81 IAS in [[South Africa]], 49 in [[Mauritius]], 37 in [[Algeria]] and [[Madagascar]], 35 in [[Kenya]], 28 in Egypt, 26 in [[Ghana]] and [[Zimbabwe]], and 22 in [[Ethiopia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=GISD|url=http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/?st=100ss&fr=1&sts|access-date=2020-03-16|website=www.iucngisd.org}}</ref> However, very little is known about IAS in Nigeria, with most technical reports and literature reporting fewer than 10 invasive plants in the country. Aside from plant invaders, ''[[Black rat|Rattus rattus]]'' and [[Avian influenza]] virus were also considered IAS in Nigeria.<ref name=":022">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Invasive Alien Species. ''In'': African Environment Outlook 2: Our Environment, Our Wealth</ref> The initial entry of IAS into Nigeria was mainly through exotic plant introductions by the colonial rulers either for forest tree plantations or for ornamental purposes. The entry of exotic plants into Nigeria during the post-independence era was encouraged by increasing economic activity, the commencement of commercial oil explorations, the introduction through ships, and the introduction of ornamental plants by commercial floriculturists.<ref name=":022" />
[[File:Palm-tree-plantation--at-Kwale--Delta-state--beside-OPAC-Refinery-.jpg|thumb|Palm plantation in [[Delta State]]]]
In the semi-arid and dry sub-humid savannas of West Africa, including Nigeria, numerous species of herbaceous dicots especially from the genera ''[[Crotalaria]]'', ''[[Alysicarpus]]'', ''Cassia'' and ''[[Ipomoea|Ipomea]]'' are known to be widely used in livestock production. Quite often they are plucked or cut and fed either as fresh or conserved fodders. The utilization of these and many other herbs growing naturally within the farm environment is opportunistic.<ref name=":122"/>
 
Many other species native to Nigeria, including soybean and its varieties, serve as an important source of oil and protein in this region.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} There are also many plants with medicinal purposes that are used to aid the therapy in many organs. Some of these vegetations include ''[[Euphorbiaceae]]'', which serve the purpose of aiding malaria, gastrointestinal disorders respectively and many other infections. Different stress factors such as droughts, low soil nutrients and susceptibility to pests have contributed to Maize plantations being an integral part of agriculture in this region.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Olaoye|first=G|date=2010-02-15|title=Evaluation of new generations of maize streak virus (msv) resistant varieties for grain yield, agronomic potential and adaptation to a southern guinea savanna ecology of Nigeria|journal=Agro-Science|volume=8|issue=2|doi=10.4314/as.v8i2.51107|issn=1119-7455|doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
As industrialization has increased, it has also put species of trees in the forest at risk of air pollution and studies have shown that in certain parts of Nigeria, trees have shown tolerance and grow in areas that have a significant amount of air pollution<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Agbaire|first1=P. O.|last2=Esiefarienrhe|first2=E.|date=2009|title=Air Pollution tolerance indices (apti) of some plants around Otorogun Gas Plant in Delta State, Nigeria.|url=https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jasem/article/view/55251|journal=Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management|language=en|volume=13|issue=1|doi=10.4314/jasem.v13i1.55251|issn=1119-8362|doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
=== Environmental issues ===
{{Main|Environmental issues in the Niger Delta|Deforestation in Nigeria}}
[[File:Rainforest_range_of_Obudu_Mountains.jpg|thumb|Rainforest range of [[Obudu Mountain Resort|Obudu Mountains]]]]
[[File:Clouds_kissing_the_mountains_of_Obudu.jpg|thumb|Clouds kissing the mountains of Obudu]]
Nigeria's Delta region, home of the large oil industry, experiences serious [[oil spill]]s and other environmental problems, which has caused [[Conflict in the Niger Delta|conflict in the Delta region]].
 
[[Waste management]] including [[sewage treatment]], the linked processes of [[deforestation]] and [[Soil retrogression and degradation|soil degradation]], and [[climate change]] or [[global warming]] are the major environmental problems in Nigeria. Waste management presents problems in a [[megacity]] like Lagos and other major Nigerian cities which are linked with economic development, population growth and the inability of municipal councils to manage the resulting rise in industrial and domestic waste. This waste management problem is also attributable to unsustainable environmental management lifestyles of [[Kubwa, Abuja|Kubwa]] community in the Federal Capital Territory, where there are habits of indiscriminate disposal of waste, dumping of waste along or into the canals, sewerage systems that are channels for water flows, and the like. Haphazard industrial planning, increased urbanisation, poverty and lack of competence of the municipal government are seen as the major reasons for high levels of waste pollution in major cities of the country. Some of the solutions have been disastrous to the environment, resulting in untreated waste being dumped in places where it can pollute waterways and [[Groundwater in Nigeria|groundwater]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ogbonna|first1=D.N.|last2=Ekweozor|first2=I.K.E.|last3=Igwe|first3=F.U.|year=2002|title=Waste Management: A Tool for Environmental Protection in Nigeria|journal=AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment|volume=31|issue=1|pages=55–57|doi=10.1639/0044-7447(2002)031[0055:wmatfe]2.0.co;2|jstor=4315211}}</ref>
 
In 2005, Nigeria had the highest rate of [[deforestation]] in the world, according to the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] of the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=News.mongabay.com|date=17 November 2005|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1117-forests.html|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=News.mongabay.com}}</ref> That year, 12.2%, the equivalent of 11,089,000 hectares had been forested in the country. Between 1990 and 2000, Nigeria lost an average of 409,700 hectares of forest every year equal to an average annual deforestation rate of 2.4%. Between 1990 and 2005, in total Nigeria lost 35.7% of its [[forest cover]] or around 6,145,000 hectares.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 January 2010|title=Rainforest analysis at Mongabay.com|url=http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Nigeria.htm|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=Rainforests.mongabay.com}}</ref> Nigeria had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 6.2/10, ranking it 82nd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057}}</ref>
 
In the year 2010, thousands of people were inadvertently [[Zamfara State lead poisoning outbreak|exposed to lead-containing soil]] from informal [[gold mining]] within the northern state of Zamfara. While estimates vary, it is thought that upwards of 400 children died of acute [[lead poisoning]], making this perhaps the largest lead poisoning fatality outbreak ever encountered.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bashir|first1=Muhammed|last2=Umar-Tsafe|first2=Nasir|last3=Getso|first3=Kabiru|last4=Kaita|first4=Ibrahim M.|last5=Nasidi|first5=Abdulsalami|last6=Sani-Gwarzo|first6=Nasir|last7=Nguku|first7=Patrick|last8=Davis|first8=Lora|last9=Brown|first9=Mary Jean|date=18 April 2014|title=Assessment of blood lead levels among children aged ≤ 5 years—Zamfara State, Nigeria, June–July 2012|journal=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report|volume=63|issue=15|pages=325–327|issn=1545-861X|pmc=5779393|pmid=24739340}}</ref>
 
== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Nigeria}}
[[File:Nigeria Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Nigeria exports, 2019]]
[[File:Farm_Ploughing,_Kwara_State,_Nigeria.jpg|thumb|Farm ploughing in [[Kwara State]]|left]]
Nigeria's [[mixed economy]] is the [[List of African countries by GDP (nominal)|largest in Africa]], the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|31st-largest in the world]] by nominal GDP, and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|30th-largest]] by [[purchasing power parity|PPP]]. It is a lower-middle-income economy,<ref>{{cite web|date=January 2011|title=World Bank list of economies|url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522153925/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/CLASS.XLS|archive-date=22 May 2011|access-date=27 May 2011|publisher=http: www.worldbank.org}}</ref> with its abundant supply of natural resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, transport sectors and [[Nigerian Stock Exchange]]. Economic development has been hindered by years of [[Military dictatorship|military rule]], corruption, and mismanagement. The restoration of democracy and subsequent economic reforms have successfully put Nigeria back on track towards achieving its full economic potential. Next to petroleum, the second-largest source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria are [[remittance]]s sent home by Nigerians living abroad.<ref name="tribune.com.ng2">{{cite news|author=Gbola Subair- Abuja|date=8 September 2014|title=Remittances from diaspora Nigerians as lubricant for the economy|newspaper=[[Nigerian Tribune]]|url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/business/tribune-business/item/15469-remittances-from-diaspora-nigerians-as-lubricant-for-the-economy/15469-remittances-from-diaspora-nigerians-as-lubricant-for-the-economy|access-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317150032/http://www.tribune.com.ng/business/tribune-business/item/15469-remittances-from-diaspora-nigerians-as-lubricant-for-the-economy/15469-remittances-from-diaspora-nigerians-as-lubricant-for-the-economy|archive-date=17 March 2015}}</ref>
 
During the oil boom of the 1970s, Nigeria accumulated a significant foreign debt to finance major infrastructural investments. With the fall of oil prices during the [[1980s oil glut]], Nigeria struggled to keep up with its loan payments and eventually defaulted on its principal debt repayments, limiting repayment to the interest portion of the loans. Arrears and penalty interest accumulated on the unpaid principal, which increased the size of the debt. After negotiations by the Nigerian authorities, in October 2005 Nigeria and its [[Paris Club]] creditors reached an agreement under which Nigeria repurchased its debt at a discount of approximately 60%. Nigeria used part of its oil profits to pay the residual 40%, freeing up at least $1.15&nbsp;billion annually for poverty reduction programmes. Nigeria made history in April 2006 by becoming the first African country to completely pay off its debt (estimated $30&nbsp;billion) owed to the Paris Club.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Polgreen |first=Lydia |date=2006-04-22 |title=Nigeria Pays Off Its Big Debt, Sign of an Economic Rebound |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/22/world/nigeria-pays-off-its-big-debt-sign-of-an-economic-rebound.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
 
=== Agriculture ===
{{Further|Agriculture in Nigeria}}
{{As of|2010}}, about 30% of Nigerians are employed in agriculture.<ref>{{cite web|date=2010|title=Labour Force Statistics, 2010|url=http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/pages/download/41|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424153316/http://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/pages/download/41|archive-date=24 April 2015|access-date=22 June 2015|publisher=Nigerian Bureau of Statistics}}</ref> About 26.5% of Nigeria’s GDP is contributed by its agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigeria: agriculture contribution to GDP 2019-2021 |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1193506/contribution-of-agriculture-to-gdp-in-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Statista |language=en}}</ref> As far as [[Cassava production in Nigeria|cassava]] is concerned, Nigeria is the world's largest producer.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Nigeria at a glance{{!}}FAO in Nigeria{{!}}Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |url=https://www.fao.org/nigeria/fao-in-nigeria/nigeria-at-a-glance/en/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=www.fao.org}}</ref> Further major crops include [[beans]], [[sesame]], [[cashew nuts]], [[cocoa beans]], [[Bambara groundnut|groundnuts]], [[gum arabic]], kolanut, [[maize]] (corn), [[melon]], [[millet]], [[palm kernel]]s, [[palm oil]], [[Plantain (cooking)|plantains]], [[rice]], [[rubber]], [[sorghum]], [[soybeans]] and [[Yam (vegetable)|yams]].<ref name="Nigeria agriculture2">{{cite web|title=Agriculture – Nigeria – export, growth, area, crops, farming, sector|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Nigeria-AGRICULTURE.html|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref> [[Cocoa bean|Cocoa]] is the leading non-oil foreign exchange earner.<ref name="Nigeria agriculture2" /> [[Rubber]] is the second-largest non-oil foreign exchange earner.<ref name="Nigeria agriculture2" />
[[File:Imota-rice-mill.jpg|thumb|[[Imota rice mill|Imota Rice Mill]], close to Lagos]]
Before the [[Nigerian Civil War|Nigerian civil war]], Nigeria was self-sufficient in food.<ref name="Nigeria agriculture2" /> Agriculture used to be the principal foreign exchange earner of Nigeria.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ake |first=Claude |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bs5rTH7GClgC&pg=PA48 |title=Democracy and Development in Africa |publisher=Brookings Institution Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-8157-0220-7 |page=48 |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref> Agriculture has failed to keep pace with Nigeria's rapid population growth, and Nigeria now relies upon food imports to sustain itself.<ref name="Nigeria agriculture2" /> It spends US$6.7 billion yearly for food imports, four times more than revenues from food export.<ref name=":2" /> The Nigerian government promoted the use of inorganic fertilizers in the 1970s.<ref name="pasquini2">{{cite journal|last1=Pasquini|first1=MW|last2=Alexander|first2=MJ|date=2005|title=Soil fertility management strategies on the Jos Plateau: the need for integrating 'empirical' and 'scientific' knowledge in agricultural development|journal=Geographical Journal|volume=171|issue=2|pages=112–124|doi=10.1111/j.1475-4959.2005.00154.x}}</ref>
 
==== Rice ====
Nigeria's rice production increased by 10% from 2017/18 to 2021/22 to 5 million tonnes a year,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=Rice pyramids and Nigeria’s production puzzle |url=https://guardian.ng/features/rice-pyramids-and-nigerias-production-puzzle/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}</ref> but could hardly keep up with the increased demand. Rice imports therefore remained constant at 2 million tonnes per year.  In August 2019, Nigeria closed its border with Benin and other neighbouring countries to stop rice smuggling into the country as part of efforts to boost local production.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2019 |title=Nigeria closes part of border with Benin to check rice smuggling |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1VJ0PH-OZATP |url-status=dead |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829113752/https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1VJ0PH-OZATP |archive-date=29 August 2019}}</ref>
 
==== Food processing ====
{{Main|Imota rice mill}}
Until now, Nigeria exported unhusked rice but had to import husked rice, the country's staple food. - The [[Imota rice mill|rice mill in Imota]], near Lagos, is intended to handle the corresponding processing at home, improve the balance of trade and the labour market, and save unnecessary costs for transport and middlemen. When fully operational at the end of 2022, the plant, the largest south of the Sahara, is expected to employ 250,000 people and produce 2.5 million 50-kg bags of rice annually.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-04 |title=Lagos today: Like Tinubu like Sanwo-Olu |url=https://www.thecable.ng/lagos-today-like-tinubu-like-sanwo-olu |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=TheCable |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
=== Fossil fuels ===
 
==== Petroleum ====
{{Further|Petroleum industry in Nigeria|List of countries by oil exports}}
[[File:Nigeria-oil-n-gas.jpg|left|thumb|Oil and gas fields in the Niger delta]]
[[File:Oil Factory - panoramio (cropped).jpg|thumb|Oil facility at [[Bonny Island]], [[Rivers State]]]]
Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, the 8th largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves. Petroleum plays a large role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for 40% of GDP and 80% of government earnings. However, agitation for better resource control in the [[Niger Delta]], its main oil-producing region, has led to disruptions in oil production and prevents the country from exporting at 100% capacity.<ref>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Lizzie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fwuQ71ZbaOcC&pg=PA26|title=Nigeria: The Bradt Travel Guide|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2008|isbn=978-1-84162-239-2|page=26|access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>
The Niger Delta Nembe Creek oil field was discovered in 1973 and produces from middle [[Miocene]] [[River delta|deltaic]] [[sandstone]]-[[shale]] in an [[anticline]] [[Petroleum trap|structural trap]] at a depth of {{convert|2|to|4|km|ft|-3|abbr=off}}.<ref>Nelson, P.H.H., Role of Reflection Seismic in Development of Nembe Creek Field, Nigeria, 1980, in Giant Oil and Gas Fields of the Decade: 1968–1978, AAPG Memoir 30, Halbouty, M.T., editor, Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, {{ISBN|0-89181-306-3}}, pp. 565–576</ref> In June 2013, Shell announced a strategic review of its operations in Nigeria, hinting that assets could be divested. While many international oil companies have operated there for decades, by 2014 most were making moves to divest their interests, citing a range of issues including oil theft. In August 2014, Shell said it was finalising its interests in four Nigerian oil fields.<ref name="ShellNigeria2">{{cite news|date=27 August 2014|title=Stakes in four Nigerian oil fields being sold by Shell|publisher=Nigeria Sun|url=http://www.nigeriasun.com/index.php/sid/225153307|access-date=28 August 2014}}</ref>
 
Nigeria has a total of 159 [[Petroleum reservoir|oil fields]] and 1,481 [[Oil well|wells]] in operation according to the [[Department of Petroleum Resources]].<ref name="NDES2">''Environmental Resources Managers Ltd, Niger Delta Environmental Survey Final Report Phase I; Volume I: Environmental and Socio-Economic Characteristics (Lagos: Niger Delta Environmental Survey, September 1997)''</ref> The most productive region of the nation is the coastal [[Niger Delta Basin (geology)|Niger Delta Basin]] in the Niger Delta or "south-south" region which encompasses 78 of the 159 oil fields. Most of Nigeria's oil fields are small and scattered, and as of 1990, these small fields accounted for 62.1% of all Nigerian production. This contrasts with the sixteen largest fields which produced 37.9% of Nigeria's petroleum at that time.<ref name="politicaleconomy2">''Nigeria: The Political Economy of Oil'' {{ISBN|0-19-730014-6}} (Khan, Ahmad)</ref>
[[File:Column-Dangote-refinery-nig2.jpg|thumb|The world's biggest distilling column at the [[Dangote Refinery|Dangote refinery]] in comparison]]
 
==== Production of petroleum products (petrol, plastics) ====
{{Main|Dangote Refinery}}
 
Petrol was Nigeria's main import commodity until 2021, accounting for 24% of import volume.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reports {{!}} National Bureau of Statistics |url=https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/1241147 |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=nigerianstat.gov.ng}}</ref> - In the fourth quarter of 2022, the much talked about Dangote refinery will come on stream, producing 50 million litres of petrol per day, among other things.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weekly |first=eBusiness |title=Africa's richest man betting $21bn on oil and fertiliser |url=https://www.businessweekly.co.zw/africas-richest-man-betting-21bn-on-oil-and-fertiliser/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=eBusiness Weekly |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Inside dangote refinery and petrochemical plant |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=libzx4dZ7zA |language=en |access-date=2022-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fakoyejo |first=Olalekan |date=2022-05-16 |title=Dangote to raise $750m through bonds for completion of refinery project |url=https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/dangote-to-raise-750m-through-bonds-for-completion-of-refinery-project/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Latest Nigeria News {{!}} Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Confidential |first=Economic |date=2022-05-25 |title=FG Expects Dangote Refinery To Take Off Q1, 2023 |url=https://economicconfidential.com/2022/05/expects-dangote-refinery/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Economic Confidential |language=en-US}}</ref> This would turn Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of petroleum products. The Dangote refinery can lay claim to a number of superlatives even before it is operational, including the world's largest distillation column<ref>{{Citation |title=Monumental Milestone at Dangote |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW1mkA9N0ho |language=en |access-date=2022-06-30}}</ref> and, with the RFCC regenerator, both the largest continuous piece of steel (made by a Korean forge) and the heaviest object ever transported on an African road.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Odeleye |first=Femi |date=www.plat4om.com |title=Dangote Refinery’s RFCC Unit Gets Installation Of World’s Heaviest Regenerator |url=https://www.plat4om.com/dangote-refinerys-rfcc-unit-gets-installation-of-worlds-heaviest-regenerator/ |archive-date=3.5.2019 |access-date=30.06.2022 |website=www.plat4om.com}}</ref>
 
==== Natural gas ====
[[File:Countries_by_Natural_Gas_Proven_Reserves_(2014).svg|thumb|Countries by [[List of countries by natural gas proven reserves|natural gas proven reserves]] (2014). Nigeria has the largest reserves in Africa.|left]]
The supply of natural gas to Europe, threatened by the Ukraine war, is pushing projects to transport Nigerian natural gas via pipelines to Morocco or Algeria.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Morocco closer to activating the gas pipeline with Nigeria |url=https://atalayar.com/en/content/morocco-closer-activating-gas-pipeline-nigeria |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Atalayar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nigeria's president launches new gas pipeline project |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energy/natural-gas/nigerias-president-launches-new-gas-pipeline-project/29750 |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-09 |title=Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project Updates |url=https://constructionreviewonline.com/project-timelines/nigeria-morocco-gas-pipeline-nmgp-project-updates/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=Construction Review Online |language=en-us}}</ref> As of May 2022, however, there are no results on this yet.
 
=== Mining ===
{{Main|Mining industry of Nigeria}}
In addition to its petroleum resources, Nigeria also has a wide array of underexploited mineral resources which include coal, [[bauxite]], [[tantalite]], gold, [[tin]], iron ore, [[limestone]], [[niobium]], lead and [[zinc]].<ref name="Gov2">{{cite book |last=Safire, William |first=The New York Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-BIGv9vIoqcC&pg=PA1093 |title=The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge: A Desk Reference for the Curious Mind |publisher=Macmillan |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-312-37659-8 |page=1093}}</ref> Despite huge deposits of these natural resources, the mining industry in Nigeria is still in its infancy.
 
=== Manufacturing and technology ===
Nigeria has a manufacturing industry that includes leather and textiles (centred in [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Abeokuta]], [[Onitsha]], and Lagos), plastics and processed food. [[Ogun State|Ogun]] is considered to be Nigeria's current industrial hub, as most factories are located in Ogun and more companies are moving there, followed by Lagos.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 June 2013 |title=Industrial hub: Why more companies are moving to Ogun |newspaper=Vanguard Nigeria |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/why-more-companies-are-moving-to-ogun/ |access-date=14 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=5 May 2013 |title=Ogun State's rising investment profile |url=http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/05/05/ogun-states-rising-investment-profile/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140314202910/http://www.mydailynewswatchng.com/2013/05/05/ogun-states-rising-investment-profile/ |archive-date=14 March 2014 |access-date=14 March 2014 |publisher=Daily NewsWatch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=27 November 2012 |title=Ogun State: Nigeria's new Industrial hub |url=http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/top-stories/219914-ogun-state-nigeria%E2%80%99s-new-industrial-hub.html |access-date=14 March 2014 |publisher=Online Nigeria News}}</ref>
 
The city of [[Aba, Abia|Aba]] in the south-eastern part of the country is well known for handicrafts and shoes, known as "Aba made".<ref name="Naijalitz">{{cite web |title=Nigeria now generates 13,000mw of power, says Minister – Chukwuma |url=https://naijalitz.com/nigeria-now-generates-13000mw-of-power-says-minister/ |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=Naijalitz – No 1 Entertainment Portal}}</ref>
 
==== Cement plants ====
In 2016 (the last year from which data is available), Nigeria was the [[Cement production by country|leading cement producer]] south of the Sahara, ahead of South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yager |first=Thomas R. |date=March 2022 |title=The Mineral Industry of Nigeria |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/myb/vol3/2017-18/myb3-2017-18-nigeria.pdf |access-date=2022-06-10}}</ref> [[Aliko Dangote]], Nigeria's richest inhabitant, based his wealth on cement production.
 
==== Vehicles ====
{{Main|Automotive industry in Nigeria}}
 
[[File:Innoson vehicles enugu.jpg|thumb|Innoson vehicles]]
Nigeria has a market of 720,000 cars per year, but less than 20% of these are produced domestically.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=A new car assembly plant begins operation in Nigeria |url=https://www.ntu.edu.sg/cas/news-events/news/details/a-new-car-assembly-plant-begins-operation-in-nigeria |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies (CAS) |language=en}}</ref>
 
''Indigenous manufacturers''
 
One indigenous auto manufacturing company, '''[[Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing]]''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-18 |title=5 Advantages Of Driving An Innoson Vehicle |url=https://www.innosonvehicles.com/5-advantages-of-driving-an-innoson-vehicle/ |access-date=2020-01-22 |website=Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing |language=en-US}}</ref> is located in [[Nnewi]], [[Anambra State]]. It produces buses, SUVs and since May 2022 "kekes".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Obafemee80 |title=Innoson Introduces IVM-branded Tricycles 'Keke Marwa' Into The Nigerian Market |url=https://autojosh.com/innoson-introduces-ivm-branded-tricycles-keke-marwa-into-the-nigerian-market/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=AUTOJOSH |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Innoson Sets Unit Price of its IVM Keke |url=https://www.businesscompilerng.com/2022/05/innoson-sets-its-keke-price-at-n950000.html |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Business Compiler |language=en}}</ref>
 
Another local car manufacturer is '''Nord Automobiles Ltd.''' Nord has two assembly plants: one in [[Lekki|Sangotedo/Lekki]], where all eight models are currently assembled; a plant in [[Epe, Lagos State|Epe]] is still under construction. The company currently manufactures its own plastic parts and plans to add steel stamping in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-07 |title=How this entrepreneur started a Nigerian car brand |url=https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/how-this-entrepreneur-started-a-nigerian-car-brand/99391/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=How we made it in Africa |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
In Ishara, 30&nbsp;km north-east of [[Lagos]], '''Proforce Ltd.''' produces armoured vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proforce Limited armored vehicles manufacturer Nigeria {{!}} Nigeria Defence and Security Industry {{!}} Africa defence industry company UK |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/nigeria_defence_and_security_industry/proforce_limited_armored_vehicles_manufacturer_nigeria.html#details |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=www.armyrecognition.com}}</ref> In March 2022, Proforce was able to sell an unknown number of armoured vehicles to [[Belarus]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Nigeria's Proforce to Supply Armored Vehicles to Belarus |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UsIxh0h9tg |language=en |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref> This is the first time that vehicles manufactured in Nigeria have been supplied to a European country.
 
'''OMAA Motors''' produces mini-busses, which run on petrol or natural gas or (since June 2022) both.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blog |first=Kossy Derrick |title=Nigerian made natural gas powered buses are produced by OMAA Motors in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State |url=https://www.kossyderrickent.com/2022/06/nigerian-made-natural-gas-powered-buses.html |access-date=2022-06-16 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=OMAA LIVE AT THE MAIDEN EDITION OF NATIONAL TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 2022!... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nSmN_elRF0 |language=en |access-date=2022-06-16}}</ref> OMAA Motors are located in [[Igbo-Ukwu]], [[Anambra State|Anambra]] State.<ref>{{Citation |title=Nigerian Dual Fuel Vehicle Manufacturer Get's Massive 2,000+ Order As Customers Rush New Technology |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur3Le5yxSZY |language=en |access-date=2022-06-16}}</ref>
 
''Foreign car manufacturers''
 
Until recently, the most productive foreign car manufacturer on Nigerian soil was '''Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria (PAN)''' in [[Kaduna]]. In April 2022, [[Peugeot]] sold its shares and [[Aliko Dangote]] entered in its place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-29 |title=PAN Nigeria parts ways with Peugeot, settles for Higer, Chery |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/pan-nigeria-parts-ways-with-peugeot-settles-for-higer-chery/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The company name was changed to DPAN at the same time. In the future, mainly the Chinese brands [[Chery Automobile|Chery]] and [[Higer Bus|Higer]] will be assembled using pre-produced parts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Odunewu |first=Segun |date=2022-02-18 |title=We're ready to roll out Chery and Higer vehicles – PAN Nigeria |url=https://www.blueprint.ng/were-ready-to-roll-out-chery-and-higer-vehicles-pan-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=Blueprint Newspapers Limited |language=en-US}}</ref> A new production line is supposed to increase the output to 120 cars per day.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=AutoReportAfrica |date=2022-02-07 |title=Dangote Peugeot Begins Operations at New Green Field Ultima Assembly Plant in Kaduna |url=https://www.autoreportafrica.com/dangote-peugeot-begins-operations-at-new-green-field-ultima-assembly-plant-in-kaduna/ |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=..:: AUTO REPORT AFRICA ::.. |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
The '''[[Stallion Group]]''' assembles 45,000 [[Volkswagen]] cars in [[Lagos]] each year.<ref name=":1" />
 
'''GAC Motors''' assembles cars from knocked-down parts in Ojota, Lagos.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-07 |title=GAC goes global with award-winning ‘Made With Chinese Technology’ |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/gac-goes-global-with-award-winning-made-with-chinese-technology/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==== Fertiliser ====
On 3 May 2022 a [[Fertilizer|fertiliser]] production plant was commissioned near Lagos that will produce 3 million tonnes of fertiliser a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abiodun |first=Eromosele |date=2022-04-28 |title=Nigeria's Path to Irreversible Industrial Revolution |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/04/29/nigerias-path-to-irreversible-industrial-revolution/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=THISDAYLIVE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="african.business">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-05 |title=Dangote's timely fertiliser plant pays off as prices soar |url=https://african.business/2022/05/energy-resources/dangotes-timely-fertiliser-plant-pays-off-as-prices-soar/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=African Business |language=en-GB}}</ref> With no more Russian fertiliser coming onto the world market in 2022 due to the [[Ukraine war]], Nigeria is filling a gap in the market.<ref name="african.business"/>
 
==== Pharmaceutical industry ====
[[File:Buying drugs from a Pharmacy in Epe , Lagos state.jpg|thumb|Pharmacy in [[Epe, Lagos State|Epe]]]]
Currently, Nigeria hosts about 60 percent of the pharmaceutical production capacity in Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onyesi |first=Chika |date=2021-10-06 |title='Nigeria's pharmaceutical sector dwindling despite 60 percent production capacity' |url=https://dailypost.ng/2021/10/06/nigerias-pharmaceutical-sector-dwindling-despite-60-percent-production-capacity/ |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}</ref> Most larger pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria are located in [[Lagos]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yahaya |first=Abdulwali |date=2019-09-19 |title=Top 10 Best Pharmaceutical Companies in Nigeria & Their Products |url=https://nigerianinfopedia.com.ng/registered-pharmaceutical-companies-in-nigeria/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Nigerian Infopedia |language=en-US}}</ref> The pharmaceutical producer with the most employees in Nigeria appears to be ''Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited |url=https://www.emzorpharma.com/about-emzor/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Emzor |language=en-GB}}</ref> Furthermore, ''Fidson Healthcare Plc'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fidson |title= |url=https://fidson.com/our-company/}}</ref> ''May & Baker Nig. Plc''<ref>{{Cite web |title=May and Baker Plc. – Supporting your Health for Life |url=https://may-baker.com/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Swiss Pharma Nigeria''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to swiss pharma nigeria limited |url=https://www.swiphanigeria.com/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=www.swiphanigeria.com}}</ref> seem to be the major pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria.
 
==== Electronic ====
Nigeria has a few electronic manufacturers like Zinox, the first branded Nigerian computer, and manufacturers of electronic gadgets such as tablet PCs.<ref>{{cite web |author=Okonji, Emma |date=24 October 2013 |title=Zinox Introduces Tablet Range of Computers, Plans Commercial Launch |url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/zinox-introduces-tablet-range-of-computers-plans-commercial-launch/162517/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027075729/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/zinox-introduces-tablet-range-of-computers-plans-commercial-launch/162517 |archive-date=27 October 2013 |access-date=14 March 2014 |work=This Day |publisher=This Day Live}}</ref>
 
==== Steel production ====
[[File:Ajaokuta-factory.JPG|thumb|Steel factory in Ajaokuta]]
According to its own information, the [[Ajaokuta Steel Mill|Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited]] produces 1.3 million tonnes of [[steel]] per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Products : Ajaokuta Steel Company: ...the Bedrock of Nigeria's Industrialization. |url=https://www.ajaokutasteel.com/site/pagef.php?cnt=Products |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=www.ajaokutasteel.com}}</ref> This would be equivalent to one-sixth of the [[United Kingdom|UK]]'s steel production in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steel Production by Country 2022 |url=https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/steel-production-by-country |access-date=2022-05-26 |website=worldpopulationreview.com}}</ref> The [[ore]] for the steel production originates from the ore mine in [[Itakpe]].
 
Steel plants in [[Katsina]], [[Jos]] and [[Osogbo]] no longer appear to be active.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-28 |title=Nigeria to revive steel rolling mills – Official {{!}} Premium Times Nigeria |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/159578-nigeria-revive-steel-rolling-mills-official.html |access-date=2022-05-26 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
 
=== Services and tourism ===
 
==== Financial sector ====
{{Main|Banking in Nigeria}}
Nigeria has a highly developed financial services sector, with a mix of local and international banks, asset management companies, brokerage houses, insurance companies and brokers, private equity funds and investment banks.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T4-rlVeb1n0C&pg=PA168|title=Growing Apart: Oil, Politics, and Economic Change in Indonesia and Nigeria|publisher=University of Michigan Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-472-06980-4|page=168|access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>
 
==== Telecommunication ====
{{Main|Telecommunications in Nigeria}}
Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing telecommunications markets in the world, with major emerging market operators (like [[MTN Group|MTN]], 9mobile, [[Airtel]] and [[Globacom]]) basing their largest and most profitable centres in the country.<ref>{{cite book|author1=DeRouen, Karl R.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tSLeN4U_C6kC&pg=PA546|title=International Security and the United States: An Encyclopedia|author2=Bellamy, Paul|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2008|isbn=978-0-275-99253-8|page=546|access-date=26 December 2008|name-list-style=amp}}</ref> Nigeria's ICT sector has experienced a lot of growth, representing 10% of the nation's GDP in 2018 as compared to just 1% in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cgdev.org/reader/new-economy-africa-opportunities-nigerias-emerging-technology-sector|title=The New Economy of Africa|website=Center For Global Development}}</ref> Lagos is regarded as one of the largest technology hubs in Africa with its thriving tech ecosystem.<ref>{{cite web|title=Africa's Booming Tech Hubs Are "Backbone of Tech Ecosystem" Having Grown 40% This Year|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tobyshapshak/2019/07/11/africas-booming-tech-hubs-are-backbone-of-tech-ecosystem-having-grown-40-this-year/#5ed629bf24c2|access-date=24 January 2020|website=Forbes}}</ref> Several startups like Paystack, Interswitch, Bolt and Piggyvest are leveraging technology to solve issues across different sectors.
 
==== Transportation ====
{{Main|Transport in Nigeria|Second Niger bridge}}
 
Due to Nigeria's location in the centre of Africa, transport plays a major role in the national service sector. - The government under [[Muhammadu Buhari|Buhari]] initiated improvements to the infrastructure after 2015. Extensive road repairs and new construction have been carried out gradually as states in particular spend their share of increased government allocations. Representative of these improvements is the [[Second Niger bridge|Second Niger Bridge]] near Onitsha, which was largely completed in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainability In The Nigerian Financial Sector – ESRM Africa |url=https://esrmafrica.org/nigeria-posts-4/ |access-date=2022-05-26 |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
 
==== Fashion ====
{{Main|Fashion in Nigeria}}
[[File:Ituen Basi Nigerian designer Fashion Insider Nov 2018.jpg|thumb|Ituen Basi, Lagos based Nigerian fashion designer]]
The fashion industry in Nigeria contributes significantly to the country's economics. Casual attire is commonly worn but formal and traditional styles are also worn depending on the occasion. Nigeria is known not only for its fashionable textiles and garments, but also for its fashion designers who have increasingly gained international recognition. [[Euromonitor International|Euromonitor]] estimates the [[Sub-Saharan Africa|Sub-Saharan]] fashion [[Market (economics)|market]] to be worth $31 billion, with Nigeria accounting for 15% of these $31 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=None |date=2019-06-11 |title=The state of Nigeria's Fashion Industry |url=https://www.stearsng.com/article/the-state-of-nigerias-fashion-industry/ |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=www.stearsng.com}}</ref>
 
==== Tourism ====
{{Main|Tourism in Nigeria}}
[[File:Meridien_Akwa_Ibom_park.jpg|left|thumb|Meridien [[Akwa Ibom State|Akwa Ibom]] golf course park]]
Tourism in Nigeria centres largely on events, because of the country's ample amount of ethnic groups, but also includes rain forests, savannah, waterfalls, and other natural attractions.<ref name="suntra2">{{cite news|last=Archibong|first=Maurice|date=18 March 2004|title=Nigeria: Gold mine waiting to be tapped|work=The Sun Online|publisher=The Sun Publishing Ltd.|url=http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/travels/2004/mar/18/travels-mar18-01.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=21 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070426214225/http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/travels/2004/mar/18/travels-mar18-01.htm|archive-date=26 April 2007}}</ref>
[[File:Lekki_Beach_in_Lagos.jpg|left|thumb|Lekki Beach in Lagos]]
Abuja is home to several parks and green areas. The largest, [[Millennium Park (Abuja)|Millennium Park]], was designed by architect [[Manfredi Nicoletti]] and officially opened in December 2003. After the re-modernization project achieved by the administration of Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola, Lagos is gradually becoming a major tourist destination. Lagos is currently taking steps to become a [[global city]]. The 2009 Eyo carnival (a yearly festival originating from [[Iperu, Ogun|Iperu Remo]], Ogun State) was a step toward world city status. Currently, Lagos is primarily known as a business-oriented and fast-paced community.<ref name="METRO2">{{cite web|title=Managing Metropolitan Lagos|url=http://www.africaleadership.org/rc/Managing%20Metropolitan%20Lagos.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513124623/http://www.africaleadership.org/rc/Managing%20Metropolitan%20Lagos.pdf|archive-date=13 May 2012|access-date=4 April 2012|publisher=R.Rasaki|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Lagos has become an important location for African and black cultural identity.<ref>{{cite book|first1=Anthony|last1=Appiah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0XNvklcqbwC&pg=PA53|title=Encyclopedia of Africa, Volume 2|first2=Henry Louis|last2=Gates|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-19-533770-9|page=53}}</ref>
 
Many festivals are held in Lagos; festivals vary in offerings each year and may be held in different months. Some of the festivals are [https://web.archive.org/web/20180820075714/http://www.festacfoodfair.com/ Festac Food Fair held in Festac] Town Annually, Eyo Festival, [https://web.archive.org/web/20181102044321/http://lagosblackheritagefestival.com/ Lagos Black Heritage Carnival], Lagos Carnival, Eko International Film Festival, Lagos Seafood Festac Festival, LAGOS PHOTO Festival and the Lagos Jazz Series, which is a unique franchise for high-quality live music in all genres with a focus on jazz. Established in 2010, the event takes place over a 3 to 5 days period at selected high-quality outdoor venues. The music is as varied as the audience itself and features a diverse mix of musical genres from rhythm and blues to soul, [[Afrobeat]], hip hop, bebop, and traditional jazz. The festivals provide entertainment of dance and song to add excitement to travellers during a stay in Lagos.
 
Lagos has sandy beaches by the Atlantic Ocean, including [[Elegushi Beach]] and Alpha Beach. Lagos also has many private beach resorts including Inagbe Grand Beach Resort and several others in the outskirts. Lagos has a variety of hotels ranging from three-star to five-star hotels, with a mixture of local hotels such as [[Eko Hotels and Suites]], [[Federal Palace Hotel]] and franchises of multinational chains such as Intercontinental Hotel, Sheraton, and Four Points by Hilton. Other places of interest include the [[Tafawa Balewa Square]], Festac town, The [[Nike Art Gallery]], [[Freedom Park (Lagos)|Freedom Park]], and the [[Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos|Cathedral Church of Christ]].
 
== Infrastructure ==
 
=== Energy ===
{{Main|Energy in Nigeria}}
 
[[File:Abuja road.jpg|thumb|Substation in Abuja]]Nigeria's primary energy consumption was about 108 [[Tonne of oil equivalent|Mtoe]] in 2011. Most of the energy comes from traditional [[biomass]] and waste, which account for 83% of total primary production. The rest is from fossil fuels (16%) and hydropower (1%). Since independence, Nigeria has tried to develop a domestic nuclear industry for energy. Since 2004, Nigeria has had a Chinese-origin research reactor at [[Ahmadu Bello University]] and has sought the support of the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] to develop plans for up to 4,000 MWe of nuclear capacity by 2027 according to the National Program for the Deployment of Nuclear Power for Generation of Electricity. In 2007, President [[Umaru Musa Yar'Adua|Umaru Yar'Adua]] urged the country to embrace nuclear power to meet its growing energy needs. In 2017, Nigeria signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=7 July 2017|title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons|url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en|publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection}}</ref>
 
In April 2015, Nigeria began talks with Russia's state-owned [[Rosatom]] to collaborate on the design, construction and operation of four nuclear power plants by 2035, the first of which will be in operation by 2025. In June 2015, Nigeria selected two sites for the planned construction of the nuclear plants. Neither the Nigerian government nor Rosatom would disclose the specific locations of the sites, but it is believed that the nuclear plants will be sited in [[Akwa Ibom State]] and [[Kogi State]]. The sites are planned to house two plants each. In 2017 agreements were signed for the construction of the [[Itu nuclear power plant]].
 
=== Transportation ===
{{Main|Transportation in Nigeria|Second Niger bridge}}
[[File:Railway system Nigeria 2022 english.jpg|thumb|Railway system in Nigeria, 2022]]
[[File:2ndbridge.jpg|thumb|Second Niger bridge at Onitsha, artistic impression]]
 
==== Roads ====
Nigeria's roads and highways handle 90% of all passenger and freight traffic. It contributes N2.4trn ($6.4bn) to GDP in 2020. The Nigerian government is focused on both servicing existing roads – many of which are in poor condition or unpaved – and constructing new ones. The 2021 budget earmarked N168bn ($451.2m) for the construction, rehabilitation and dualisation of roads. The package also set aside N54bn ($144.2m) for building and renovating bridges, and N4bn ($10.7m) specifically for the rehabilitation of a mainland bridge in Lagos.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2021-12-15 |title=Multi-modal transport links to boost Nigeria's competitiveness |url=https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/overview/road-expansion-focus-multi-modal-connections-improve-efficiency-and-boost-competitiveness-while |access-date=2022-05-23 |website=Oxford Business Group |language=en}}</ref>
 
==== Railways ====
{{Main|Nigerian Railway Corporation}}
The railways have undergone a massive revamping with projects such as the [[Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway|Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway]] being completed connecting northern cities of Kano, Kaduna, Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos.
 
==== Air traffic ====
{{Main|List of airports in Nigeria}}
There are 54 airports in Nigeria; the principal airports are
 
* [[Murtala Muhammed International Airport]] in Lagos,
* [[Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport]] in Abuja,
* [[Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport]] in [[Kano (city)|Kano]],
* [[Akanu Ibiam International Airport]] in [[Enugu]] and
* [[Port Harcourt International Airport]] in [[Port Harcourt]].
 
In December 2021, the [[Anambra International Cargo Airport]] started its operation.<ref>{{Citation |title=First Commercial Flight Lands At Umeri Airport, Anambra State |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzfDL76ugoI |language=en |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref>
 
In April 2022, the second terminal of the [[Murtala Muhammed International Airport|Murtalla Muhammed International Airport]] has been inaugurated. It will increase the capacity of the airport to 14 million passengers per year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lagos Airport's Terminal 2 opens – the Nigerian president wants concessions 'fast tracked' |url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/lagos-airports-terminal-2-opens--the-nigerian-president-wants-concessions-fast-tracked-602197 |access-date=2022-05-30 |website=CAPA - Centre for Aviation |language=en}}</ref>
 
In December 2022, the [[Akwa Ibom Airport|Akwa Ibom International Airport]] will open the most modern terminal in Nigeria so far.<ref>{{Citation |title=Nigeria's First Smart Airport Terminal To Open In Akwa Ibom + Other Mega Projects |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZLh1KOepHQ |language=en |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref>
 
==== Sea traffic ====
{{Main|Lekki Port}}
So far, there is no port in Nigeria with a depth of more than 13 metres. This is set to change with the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The port is scheduled to be fully completed in September 2022 and to become operational at the end of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=Lekki Seaport construction nears completion |url=https://areteafrica.com/2022/03/11/lekki-seaport-construction-nears-completion/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Arete Africa |language=en-GB}}</ref> It has a depth of 16.5m, can serve Post-Panamax-vessels and will increase Nigeria's port capacity fivefold.
 
=== Telecommunications ===
{{Main|Telecommunications in Nigeria}}
 
According to the National Bureau of Statistics in 2020, Nigeria has about 136,203,231 internet users out of an estimated population of 205,886,311.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=July 2020|title=Telecoms Data: Active Voice and Internet per State, Porting and Tariff Information|url=https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/1122|journal=National Bureau of Statistics|volume=Q1 2020|pages=93|via=}}</ref> This implies that as of 2020, 66 per cent of the Nigerian population are connected to the internet and using it actively. Although Nigerians are using the internet for educational, social networking, and entertainment purposes, the internet has also become a tool for mobilizing political protests in Nigeria. However, the Nigerian government has become threatened by how its citizens are using the internet to influence governance and political changes. Using various measures including but not limited to Illegal arrest, taking down of websites, passport seizures, and restricted access to bank accounts, the Nigerian Government punishes citizens for expressing themselves on the internet and working to stifle internet freedom.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Paul|first=Emmanuel|date=2019-11-28|title=Everything you need to know about Nigeria's Social Media Bill and what you can do about it|url=https://techpoint.africa/2019/11/28/nigerias-social-media-bill/|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Techpoint Africa|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
Due to how the Nigerian government is responding to internet freedom among other things such as limitations to internet access and violations of users rights, Nigeria ranked 26th out of the 65 countries evaluated for internet freedom in the Freedom House 2020 Index.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Adrian Shahbaz and Allie Funk|date=12 October 2020|title=Freedom on the net 2020|url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/10122020_FOTN2020_Complete_Report_FINAL.pdf|journal=Freedom House|volume=2020|pages=36}}</ref>
 
=== Government satellites ===
[[File:Launch of CRS-11 mission.jpg|thumb|[[SpaceX]] launch of CRS-11 with [[Nigeria EduSat-1]] on board in 2017|alt=]]
The government has recently begun expanding this infrastructure to [[National Space Research and Development Agency|space-based communications]]. Nigeria has a space satellite that is monitored at the Nigerian National Space Research and Development Agency Headquarters in Abuja. The Nigerian government has commissioned the overseas production and launch of four satellites.
 
[[NigComSat-1]] was the first Nigerian satellite built, was Nigeria's third satellite, and Africa's first communication satellite. It was launched in 2007 aboard a Chinese [[Long March 3B]] [[Launch vehicle|carrier rocket]], from the [[Xichang Satellite Launch Center]] in China. The spacecraft was operated by [[NIGCOMSAT|NigComSat]] and the [[National Space Research and Development Agency|Nigerian Space Research and Development Agency]]. On 11 November 2008, NigComSat-1 failed in orbit after running out of power because of an anomaly in its solar array. It was based on the Chinese [[Dongfanghong program|DFH-4]] [[satellite bus]] and carries a variety of [[transponder]]s: four [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]]; fourteen [[Ku band|Ku-band]]; eight [[Ka band|Ka-band]]; and two [[L band|L-band]]. It was designed to provide coverage to many parts of Africa, and the Ka-band transponders would also cover Italy. The satellite was launched from Russia on 27 September 2003. Nigeriasat-1 was part of the worldwide Disaster Monitoring Constellation System.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-20|title=The Economic Development of Nigeria from 1914 to 2014|url=https://www.casade.org/economic-development-nigeria-1914-2014/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619145509/https://www.casade.org/economic-development-nigeria-1914-2014/|archive-date=19 June 2020|access-date=2020-01-22|website=CASADE|language=en-US}}</ref> The primary objectives of the Nigeriasat-1 were: to give early warning signals of environmental disaster; to help detect and control [[desertification]] in the northern part of Nigeria; to assist in [[demographic]] planning; to establish the relationship between [[malaria]] vectors and the environment that breeds malaria and to give early warning signals on future outbreaks of [[meningitis]] using remote sensing technology; to provide the technology needed to bring education to all parts of the country through distant learning, and to aid in conflict resolution and border disputes by mapping out state and International borders.
 
NigeriaSat-2, Nigeria's second satellite, was built as a high-resolution earth satellite by Surrey Space Technology Limited, a United Kingdom-based satellite technology company. It has 2.5-metre resolution panchromatic (very high resolution), 5-metre multispectral (high resolution, NIR red, green and red bands), and 32-metre multispectral (medium resolution, NIR red, green and red bands) antennas, with a ground receiving station in [[Abuja]]. The NigeriaSat-2 spacecraft alone was built at a cost of over £35&nbsp;million. This satellite was launched into [[orbit]] by a military base in China.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fagoyinbo|first=Joseph Babatunde|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tUdHBgAAQBAJ&q=The+NigeriaSat-2+spacecraft+alone+was+built+at+a+cost+of+over+%C2%A335+million.+This+satellite+was+launched+into+orbit+from+a+military+base+in+China&pg=PA316|title=The Armed Forces: Instrument of Peace, Strength, Development and Prosperity|date=May 2013|publisher=Author House|isbn=978-1-4772-1844-0|language=en}}</ref> On 10 November 2008 (0900 GMT), the satellite was reportedly switched off for analysis and to avoid a possible collision with other satellites. According to Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, it was put into "emergency mode operation to effect mitigation and repairs".<ref>{{cite news|date=12 November 2008|title='Technical problems' shut down Nigerian satellite|agency=AFP|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4S4e2LVeoER0jCP79S0gw3tjp7A|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104051741/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g4S4e2LVeoER0jCP79S0gw3tjp7A|archive-date=4 January 2011}}</ref> The satellite eventually failed after losing power on 11 November 2008. On 24 March 2009, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, NigComSat Ltd. and CGWIC signed another contract for the in-orbit delivery of the NigComSat-1R satellite. NigComSat-1R was also a DFH-4 satellite, and the replacement for the failed NigComSat-1 was successfully launched into orbit by China in Xichang on 19 December 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nigcomsat-1 Program --- In-Orbit Delivery Program --- Communications Satellite --- CGWIC|url=http://www.cgwic.com/In-OrbitDelivery/CommunicationsSatellite/Program/NigComSat-1.html|website=www.cgwic.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nigcomsat-1 Program – In-Orbit Delivery Program – Communications Satellite|url=http://www.cgwic.com/In-OrbitDelivery/CommunicationsSatellite/Program/NigComSat-1.html|access-date=21 December 2010|publisher=CGWIC}}</ref> The satellite was stated to have a positive impact on national development in various sectors such as communications, internet services, health, agriculture, environmental protection and national security.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigeria Launches Satellite in China|url=http://africanspotlight.com/2011/12/nigeria-launches-satellite-in-china/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214013850/http://africanspotlight.com/2011/12/nigeria-launches-satellite-in-china/|date=19 December 2011|archive-date=14 February 2012|access-date=10 March 2012|website=African Spotlight}}</ref>
 
[[Nigeria EduSat-1|NigeriaEduSat-1]] was a satellite designed, built, and owned by the [[Federal University of Technology Akure]] (FUTA), in conjunction with Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency and Japan's Kyushu Institute of Technology. It was equipped with 0.3-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras, and with the rest of the satellite, the fleet took images of Nigeria. The satellite transmitted songs and poems as an outreach project to generate Nigerian interest in science. The signal could be received by [[amateur radio operator]]s. The [[satellite constellation]] also conducted measurements of the atmospheric density {{convert|400|km|e6ft|abbr=off}} above the Earth. The satellite cost about US$500,000 to manufacture and launch.
 
== Demographics ==
 
{{Main|Demographics of Nigeria}}
[[File:Population density map of Nigerian states - English.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Population density (persons per square kilometer) in Nigeria|alt=|left]]
 
The [[United Nations]] estimates that the population of Nigeria in {{UN_Population|Year}} was at {{UN_Population|Nigeria}}{{UN_Population|ref}}, distributed as 51.7% rural and 48.3% urban, and with a population density of 167.5 people per square kilometre. Around 42.5% of the population were 14 years or younger, 19.6% were aged 15–24, 30.7% were aged 25–54, 4.0% were aged 55–64, and 3.1% were aged 65 years or older. The median age in 2017 was 18.4 years.<ref name="People and Society: Population22">{{cite web|title=People and Society: Population|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=17 October 2018|website=The World Fact Book|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref> Nigeria is the [[World population|seventh most populous country in the world]]. The birth rate is 35.2-births/1,000 population and the death rate is 9.6 deaths/1,000 population as of 2017, while the total fertility rate is 5.07 children born/woman.<ref name="People and Society: Population22"/> Nigeria's population increased by 57&nbsp;million from 1990 to 2008, a 60% growth rate in less than two decades.<ref name="IEApop20112">[http://www.iea.org/co2highlights/co2Highlights.XLS CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion] Population 1971–2008 IEA [http://iea.org/co2highlights/co2highlights.pdf pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106205757/http://iea.org/co2highlights/co2highlights.pdf|date=6 January 2012}} pp. 83–85</ref> Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and accounts for about 17% of the continent's total population as of 2017; however, exactly how populous is a subject of speculation.<ref name="auto12">{{cite web|title=Human Development Data (1990–2017)|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/data|access-date=17 October 2018|publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref>
 
National census results in the past few decades have been disputed. The results of the most recent census were released in December 2006 and gave a population of 140,003,542. The only breakdown available was by gender: males numbered 71,709,859, females numbered 68,293,008. According to the United Nations, Nigeria has been undergoing explosive population growth and has one of the highest growth and fertility rates in the world. By their projections, Nigeria is one of eight countries expected to account collectively for half of the world's total population increase in 2005–2050.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Population TO INCREASE BY 2.6 BILLION OVER NEXT 45 YEARS, WITH ALL GROWTH OCCURRING IN LESS DEVELOPED REGIONS|url=https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/pop918.doc.htm|access-date=21 November 2008|publisher=UN}}</ref> The UN estimates that by 2100 the Nigerian population will be between 505&nbsp;million and 1.03&nbsp;billion people (middle estimate: 730&nbsp;million).<ref>{{cite web|year=2010|title=Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat|url=http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/unpp/Panel_profiles.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611141930/http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/unpp/Panel_profiles.htm|archive-date=11 June 2011|access-date=27 May 2011|publisher=UN}}</ref> In 1950, Nigeria had only 33&nbsp;million people. In 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigerians should limit their number of children.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18610751 Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urges birth control] retrieved 2 July 2012</ref>


Millions of Nigerians have emigrated during times of economic hardship, primarily to Europe, North America and Australia. It is estimated that over a million Nigerians have emigrated to the United States and constitute the [[Nigerian American]] populace. Individuals in many such Diasporic communities have joined the "Egbe Omo Yoruba" society, a national association of Yoruba descendants in North America.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 May 2007|title=Egbe Omo Yoruba, National Association of Yoruba descendants in North America|url=http://www.yorubanation.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309144042/http://www.yorubanation.org/|archive-date=9 March 2018|access-date=29 May 2011|publisher=yorubanation.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Kent|first1=Mary Mederios|first2=Carl|last2=Haub|title=The Demographic Divide: What It Is and Why It Matters|publisher=[[Population Reference Bureau]]|date=December 2005|url=http://www.prb.org/Articles/2005/TheDemographicDivideWhatItIsandWhyItMatters.aspx|access-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426083256/http://www.prb.org/Articles/2005/TheDemographicDivideWhatItIsandWhyItMatters.aspx|archive-date=26 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nigeria's largest city is [[Lagos]]. Lagos has grown from about 300,000 in 1950<ref>{{Cite book |last1=McDonald |first1=John F. |first2=Daniel P. |last2=McMillen |title=Urban Economics and Real Estate: Theory and Policy |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |series=Wiley Desktop Editions |edition=2 |year=2010 |page=9 |isbn=978-0-470-59148-2}}</ref> to an estimated 13.4&nbsp;million in 2017.<ref name="Major Urban Areas: Population">{{cite web |title=Major Urban Areas: Population |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/ |website=The World Fact Book |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
===Cities===
These are the cities in Nigeria with over 1 million people as of 2012.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! City !! Population
|-
| [[Lagos]] || 11,547,000
|-
| [[Kano]] || 3,466,000
|-
| [[Ibadan]] || 3,028,000
|-
| [[Abuja]] || 2,245,000
|-
| [[Port Harcourt]] || 1,947,000
|-
| [[Kaduna]] || 1,566,000
|-
| [[Benin City]] || 1,398,000
|-
| [[Zaria]] || 1,075,000
|}


=== Ethnic groups ===
== National anthem ==
{{Main|List of ethnic groups in Nigeria}}
In Nigeria, there are two [[national anthem]]s. The first one is called "Nigeria We Hail Thee". The second and current national anthem is called "Arise O' Compatriots. The first one was written by Lilian Jean William and composed by Frances Berda. The second one was written by 5 people and was composed by the Police band. Arise O' Compatriots was first heard during Nigeria's independence.{{fact|date=January 2021}}


{{Pie chart
==Religion==
|thumb = right
In Nigeria, there are almost equal numbers of Muslims and Christians. Most of the Christians live in the south, and most of the Muslims live in the north. Contrary to some beliefs, the Nigerian civil war was not only attributed to religious intolerance. The war which took place between 6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. The conflict was the result of economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tensions among the various peoples of Nigeria.
|caption = Ethnicity in Nigeria (2020)<ref name="Africa: Nigeria">{{Cite web|work=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/|access-date=2020-06-21 |title=Africa: Nigeria}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Hausa people|Hausa]]
|value1 = 25
|color1 = Green
|label2 = [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]]
|value2 = 20.5
|color2 = Red
|color3 = Blue
|label4 = [[igbo people|Igbo]]
|value4 = 20
|color4 = Orange
|label3 = [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]]
|value3 = 4
|label5 = [[Ibibio people|Ibibio]]
|value5 = 3.5
|color5 = Pink
|label6 = [[Tiv people|Tiv]]
|value6 = 3.5
|color6 = Maroon
|label7 = [[Fulani people|Fulani]]
|value7 = 3
|color7 = Black
|label8 = [[Kanuri people|Kanuri]]
|value8 = 3
|color8 = Cyan
|label10=Others|color10=White|value10=22.5}}


Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups, with varying languages and customs, creating a country of rich ethnic diversity. The three largest ethnic groups are the [[Hausa people|Hausa]], [[Yoruba people|Yoruba]] and [[Igbo people|Igbo]], together accounting for more than 70% of the population, while the [[Edo people|Edo]], [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]], [[Fula people|Fulɓe]], [[Kanuri people|Kanuri]], [[Urhobo people|Urhobo-Isoko]], [[Ibibio people|Ibibio]], [[Ebira people|Ebira]], [[Nupe people|Nupe]], [[Gbagyi people|Gbagyi]], [[Jukun people (West Africa)|Jukun]], [[Igala people|Igala]], [[Idoma people|Idoma]] and [[Tiv people|Tiv]] comprise between 25 and 30%; other minorities make up the remaining 5%.<ref name=NGeo>"Nigeria" in ''Geographica: The complete Atlas of the world'', Random House, 2002, {{ISBN|0-375-72037-5}}</ref> The [[Middle Belt]] of Nigeria is known for its diversity of ethnic groups, including the [[Atyap people|Atyap]], [[Berom people|Berom]], Goemai, Igala, [[Kofyar people|Kofyar]], Pyem, and Tiv. The official population count of each of Nigeria's ethnicities is disputed as members of different ethnic groups believe the census is rigged to give a particular group (usually believed to be northern groups) numerical superiority.<ref name="felix2" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Growing Apart: Oil, Politics, and Economic Change in Indonesia and Nigeria |first=Peter |last=Lewis |page=132 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-472-06980-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T4-rlVeb1n0C&pg=PA132}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nigeria |first=Rotimi T. |last=Suberu |publisher=US Institute of Peace Press |year=2001 |page=154 |isbn=978-1-929223-28-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKeUMmDlPkEC&pg=PA154}}</ref>
==Natural resources==
Nigeria produces a large amount of oil, and some fighting has been going on because many people want a share of the oil profits. This fighting has been happening in the area called the [[Niger Delta]], where the [[Niger River]] flows into the Atlantic Ocean.  


There are small minorities of British, American, [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian]], [[Chinese people in Nigeria|Chinese]] (est. 50,000),<ref>{{cite web
The largest city in Nigeria is [[Lagos]]. Nigeria has both grasslands and rainforests, and can get very hot, because it is close to the [[Equator]]. Petroleum and agriculture make up the Nigerian economy.
|last = Politzer
|first = Malia
|title = China and Africa: Stronger Economic Ties Mean More Migration
|publisher = Migration Information Source
|date = August 2008
|url = http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=690
|access-date =7 June 2011}}</ref> [[White Zimbabweans|white Zimbabwean]],<ref>{{cite web
|last = Simpson
|first = Sarah
|title = Why white Zimbabwean farmers plan to stay in Nigeria
|work =[[The Christian Science Monitor]]
|date = August 2008
|url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0502/p04s01-woaf.html
|access-date =7 June 2011}}</ref> Japanese, Greek, Syrian and Lebanese immigrants. Immigrants also include those from other West African or East African nations. These minorities mostly reside in major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, or the Niger Delta as employees for the major oil companies. Several Cubans settled in Nigeria as political refugees following the [[Cuban Revolution]].


In the middle of the 19th century, several ex-slaves of [[Afro-Cubans|Afro-Cuban]] and [[Afro-Brazilians|Afro-Brazilian]] descent<ref>Toyin Falola, ''The History of Nigeria'', Greenwood Press, 1999, pp. 41, 47.</ref> and emigrants from Sierra Leone established communities in Lagos and other regions of Nigeria. Many ex-slaves came to Nigeria following the emancipation of slaves in the Americas. Many of the immigrants, sometimes called [[Saro people|Saro]] (immigrants from Sierra Leone) and [[Brazilians in Nigeria|Amaro]] (ex-slaves from Brazil)<ref>Abiola Dosumu Elegbede-Fernandez, ''Lagos A Legacy of Honour''. Spectrum Books, 1992, pp. 19, 27.</ref> later became prominent merchants and missionaries in these cities.
== Cuisine ==
[[File:Afang Soup.jpg|thumb|Afang Soup]]
Nigerian cuisine, like West African cuisine in general, is known for its richness and variety. Many different spices, herbs and flavourings are used along with [[palm oil]] or [[peanut|groundnut]] oil. These make deeply flavoured sauces and soups often made very hot with [[chili pepper]]s. Nigerian feasts are colourful and lavish. Good smelling market and roadside snacks cooked on barbecues or fried in oil are plentiful and varied.<ref>H.O. Anthonio & M. Isoun: "Nigerian Cookbook". Macmillan, Lagos, 1982.</ref>


=== Languages ===
== Sport ==
Association football is Nigeria's national sport. The country has its own [[Nigerian Premier League|Premier League]] of football. Nigeria's Men's [[Nigerian national football team|national football team]], known as the Super Eagles, has made the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] five times. These were in [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]], and most recently in [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]]. They won the African Cup of Nations in [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]], [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]] and [[2013 African Cup of Nations|2013]]. They also hosted the [[Junior World Cup.]] They won the gold medal for football in the [[1996 Summer Olympics]].


{{Main|Languages of Nigeria}}
Nigeria is also involved in other sports such as basketball, [[cricket (sport)|cricket]], sprints and track and field.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Nigerian Basketball | publisher = Africabasket.com | year = 2011 | url = http://www.africabasket.com/Nigeria/basketball.asp | accessdate = 7 June 2011 | archive-date = 1 September 2012 | archive-url = https://www.webcitation.org/6ALsHg6xZ?url=http://www.africabasket.com/Nigeria/basketball.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref> Boxing is also an important sport in Nigeria; [[Dick Tiger]] and [[Samuel Peter]] are both former World Champions.
{{more citations needed|section|date=July 2018}}
[[File:Nigeria linguistical map 1979.svg|thumb|upright=1.45|right|Map of Nigeria's linguistic groups]]


521 languages have been spoken in Nigeria; nine of them are extinct.{{dubious|date=June 2021}} In some areas of Nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language. The official language of Nigeria, English, was chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country, owing to the influence of British colonisation which ended in 1960. Many French speakers from surrounding countries have influenced the English spoken in the border regions of Nigeria and some Nigerian citizens have become fluent enough in French to work in the surrounding countries. The French spoken in Nigeria may be mixed with some native languages and English.
==Related pages==
 
*[[List of rivers of Nigeria]]
The major languages spoken in Nigeria represent three major families of [[languages of Africa]]: the majority are [[Niger–Congo languages|Niger-Congo]] languages, such as [[Igbo language|Igbo]], [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]], [[Ibibio language|Ibibio]], [[Ijaw languages|Ijaw]], [[Fula language|Fulfulde]], [[Ogoni languages|Ogoni]], and [[Edo language|Edo]]. [[Kanuri language|Kanuri]], spoken in the northeast, primarily in [[Borno State|Borno]] and [[Yobe State]], is part of the [[Nilo-Saharan languages|Nilo-Saharan]] family, and [[Hausa language|Hausa]] is an [[Afroasiatic languages|Afroasiatic]] language. Even though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their languages, English as the official language is widely used for education, business transactions and official purposes. English as a first language is used by only a small minority of the country's urban elite, and it is not spoken at all in some rural areas. Hausa is the most widely spoken of the three main languages spoken in Nigeria.
*[[Nigeria at the Olympics]]
 
*[[Nigeria national football team]]
With the majority of Nigeria's populace in the rural areas, the major languages of communication in the country remain indigenous languages. Some of the largest of these, notably Yoruba and Igbo, have derived standardised languages from several different dialects and are widely spoken by those ethnic groups. [[Nigerian Pidgin|Nigerian Pidgin English]], often known simply as "[[Pidgin]]" or "Broken" (Broken English), is also a popular [[lingua franca]], though with varying regional influences on dialect and slang. The pidgin English or Nigerian English is widely spoken within the Niger Delta Region.<ref>{{cite book |title=Multilingualism: A Nigerian Case Study |first=Efurosibina E. |last=Adegbija |publisher=Africa World Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-59221-173-9 |page=55 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=auI_WuBrWncC&pg=PA55 |location=Last paragraph |access-date=26 December 2008}}</ref>
*[[Nigerian naira]]
 
*[[Lagos]]
=== Religion ===
*[[Abuja]]
 
{{Main|Religion in Nigeria}}
[[File:Catedral Nacional em Abuja, Nigéria.jpg|thumb|left|[[National Church of Nigeria]], [[Abuja]]]]Nigeria is a religiously diverse society, with [[Islam]] and [[Christianity]] being the most widely professed religions. Nigerians are nearly equally divided into [[Muslims]] and [[Christians]], with a tiny minority of adherents of [[traditional African religions]] and other religions.<ref name="Cia 19">CIA Factbook: Nigeria [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/fields/401.html] (Retrieved 9 May 2020)</ref> The Christian share of Nigeria's population is on the decline because of the lower [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] compared to Muslims in the country.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13644-021-00450-5?platform=hootsuite|doi = 10.1007/s13644-021-00450-5|title = Christians, Muslims and Traditional Worshippers in Nigeria: Estimating the Relative Proportions from Eleven Nationally Representative Social Surveys|year = 2021|last1 = McKinnon|first1 = Andrew|journal = Review of Religious Research|volume = 63|issue = 2|pages = 303–315|hdl = 2164/16008|s2cid = 233821494|hdl-access = free}}</ref> As in other parts of Africa where Islam and Christianity are dominant, religious syncretism with the traditional African religions is common.<ref>Chitando, Ezra (editor: Afe Adogame), ''African Traditions in the Study of Religion, Diaspora and Gendered Societies'', [[Routledge]] (2016), p. 31, {{ISBN|9781317184188}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=VMjeCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q&f=false]</ref>
 
A 2012 report on religion and public life by the [[Pew Research Center]] stated that in 2010, 49.3&nbsp;per cent of Nigeria's population was Christian, 48.8&nbsp;per cent was Muslim, and 1.9&nbsp;per cent were followers of indigenous and other religions or unaffiliated.<ref name="Pew Forum on Religion2">{{cite web|date=18 December 2012|title=Table: Religious Composition by Country, in Percentages|url=http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101080244/http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php|archive-date=1 January 2013|work=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project}}</ref> However, in a report released by Pew Research Center in 2015, the Muslim population was estimated to be 50%, and by 2060, according to the report, Muslims will account for about 60% of the country.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The countries with the 10 largest Christian populations and the 10 largest Muslim populations|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/01/the-countries-with-the-10-largest-christian-populations-and-the-10-largest-muslim-populations/}}</ref> The 2010 census of [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] has also reported that 48.8% of the total population was Christian, slightly larger than the Muslim population of 43.4%, while 7.5% were members of other religions.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|title=Religious Adherents, 2010 – Nigeria|url=http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_166_2.asp|access-date=28 July 2013|publisher=World Christian Database}}</ref> However, these estimates should be taken with caution because sample data is mostly collected from major urban areas in the south, which are predominantly Christian.<ref name="Regional Distribution of Christians2">{{cite web|title=Regional Distribution of Christians|date=19 December 2011|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-regions/|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=Pewforum.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Distribution of Christians|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-muslim/Regional}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Future of the Global Muslim Population|date=27 January 2011|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2011/01/27/the-future-of-the-global-muslim-population/|access-date=28 July 2014|publisher=Pewforum.org}}</ref>
 
Islam dominates North-Western Nigeria (Hausa, Fulani and others), with 99% Muslim, and Northern Eastern Nigeria (Kanuri, Fulani and other groups). In the west, the Yoruba tribe is predominantly Muslim with a notable minority of Christians and 10% adherents of traditional religions. [[Protestantism|Protestant]] and locally cultivated Christianity are widely practised in Western areas, while [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]] is a more prominent Christian feature of South Eastern Nigeria. Both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are observed in the Ibibio, [[Anaang people|Anaang]], [[Efik people|Efik]], [[Ijaw people|Ijo]] and Ogoni lands of the south. The Igbos (predominant in the east) and the [[Ijaw people|Ijaw]] (south) are 98% Christian, with 2% practising traditional religions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nigeria: a secular or multi religious state – 2|url=http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/columnist/thursday/jide-osuntokun/46858-nigeria-a-secular-or-multi-religious-state-2.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306085141/http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/columnist/thursday/jide-osuntokun/46858-nigeria-a-secular-or-multi-religious-state-2.html|archive-date=6 March 2014|access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> The [[Middle Belt|middle belt]] of Nigeria contains the largest number of minority ethnic groups in Nigeria, who were found to be mostly Christians and members of traditional religions, with a small proportion of Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|date=29 November 2004|title=The Middle Belt: History and politics|url=http://www.nasarawastate.org/newsday/news/culture/11129114540.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229202021/http://www.nasarawastate.org/newsday/news/culture/11129114540.html|archive-date=29 February 2012|access-date=13 March 2012|publisher=Nasarawastate.org}}</ref>
 
[[File:NG-Sharia.png|thumb|Nigerian states that implement some form of sharia law (in green)]]Nigeria has the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa. The vast majority of [[Islam in Nigeria|Muslims in Nigeria]] are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] belonging to the [[Maliki]] school of [[jurisprudence]]; however, a sizeable minority also belongs to [[Shafiʽi school|Shafi]] [[Madhhab]]. A large number of Sunni Muslims are members of [[Sufism|Sufi]] brotherhoods. Most Sufis follow the [[Qadiriyya]], [[Tijaniyyah]] or the [[Mouride]] movements. A significant [[Shia Islam in Nigeria|Shia minority exists]]. Some northern states have incorporated [[Sharia]] law into their previously secular legal systems, which has brought about some controversy.<ref name="tiptoe">Owobi Angrew, "Tiptoeing Through A Constitutional Minefield: The Great Sharia Controversy in Nigeria", ''[[Journal of African Law]]'', Vol. 48, No 2, 2002.</ref> [[Kano State]] has sought to incorporate Sharia law into its constitution.<ref>{{cite web
|title = Kano Seeks Supremacy of Sharia Over Constitution
|publisher = wwrn.org
|date = 17 March 2005
|url = http://wwrn.org/articles/15994/
|access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> The majority of [[Quranism|Quranists]] follow the Kalo Kato or Quraniyyun movement. There are also [[Ahmadiyya]] and Mahdiyya minorities,<ref name="Diversity in Nigerian Islam">{{cite web |url=http://www3.qeh.ox.ac.uk/pdf/nrn/nrn-pp01.pdf |title=Diversity in Nigerian Islam |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> as well as followers of the [[Baháʼí Faith]].<ref name="The Baháʼí Community of Nigeria">{{cite web |url=http://www.bahai.org/national-communities/nigeria |title=The Baháʼí Community of Nigeria |access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/26525030/The-Middle-Belt-Movement-and-the-Formation-of-Christian-Consciousness-in-Colonial-Northern-Nigeria|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126032348/https://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/26525030/The-Middle-Belt-Movement-and-the-Formation-of-Christian-Consciousness-in-Colonial-Northern-Nigeria|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 November 2009|title=The Middle Belt Movement and the Formation of Christian Consciousness in Colonial Northern Nigeria. – Britannica Online Encyclopedia|date=26 November 2009}}</ref>
 
Among Christians, the Pew Research survey found that 74% were Protestant, 25% were Catholic, and 1% belonged to other Christian denominations, including a small [[Orthodoxy#Christianity|Orthodox Christian]] community.<ref name="features.pewforum.org2">{{cite web|date=19 December 2011|title=Table: Christian Population in Numbers by Country &#124; Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|url=http://features.pewforum.org/global-christianity/population-number.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107133111/http://features.pewforum.org/global-christianity/population-number.php|archive-date=7 January 2012|access-date=16 July 2014|publisher=Features.pewforum.org}}</ref> Leading Protestant churches in the country include the [[Church of Nigeria]] of the [[Anglican Communion]], the [[General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria|Assemblies of God Church]], the [[Nigerian Baptist Convention]] and [[T.B. Joshua|The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations]]. Since the 1990s, there has been significant growth in many other churches, independently started in Africa by Africans, particularly the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Protestant]] ones. These include the [[Redeemed Christian Church of God]], [[Winners' Chapel]], [[Christ Apostolic Church]] (the first Aladura Movement in Nigeria), [[Living Faith Church Worldwide]], [[Deeper Christian Life Ministry]], [[Evangelical Church of West Africa]], [[Mountain of Fire and Miracles]], [[Christ Embassy]], [[The Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement|Lord's Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement]], [[Celestial Church of Christ]], and [[Dominion City]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/11/16/young-nigerians-are-connecting-pentecostal-churches-will-they-return-catholicism|title=Young Nigerians are connecting with Pentecostal churches. Will they return to Catholicism?|date=16 November 2017|work=America Magazine|access-date=19 March 2018|language=en}}</ref> In addition, [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nigeria|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], the [[Aladura Church]], the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria|Seventh-day Adventist]] and various indigenous churches have also experienced growth.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Academic Study of Religion in Nigeria |doi=10.1016/S0048-721X(88)80017-4 |volume=18 |journal=Religion |pages=37–46|year = 1988|last1 = Hackett|first1 = Rosalind I.J.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Aladura Christianity: A Yoruba Religion |doi=10.2307/1581109 |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=266–291 |journal=Journal of Religion in Africa |jstor=1581109 |year = 1993|last1 = Ray|first1 = Benjamin C.}}</ref> The Yoruba area contains a large Anglican population, while [[Igboland]] is a mix of Roman Catholics, Protestants, and a small population of [[Igbo Jews]]. The Edo area is composed predominantly of members of the Assemblies of God, which was introduced into Nigeria by Augustus Ehurie Wogu and his associates at Old Umuahia.
 
Nigeria has become an African hub for the [[Grail Movement]] and the [[International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Hare Krishnas]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwrn.org/articles/5544/?&place=nigeria&section=hari-krishna|title=Day Hare Krishna Came to Town|author=Ebonugwo, Mike |publisher=wwrn.org |date=1 September 2004 |access-date=27 May 2011}}</ref> and the largest temple of the [[Eckankar]] religion is in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a total capacity of 10,000.
 
=== Health ===
 
{{Further|Health in Nigeria}}
[[File:Primus International Superspeciality Hospital.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2.25|A hospital in Abuja]]Health care delivery in Nigeria is a concurrent responsibility of the three tiers of government in the country, and the private sector.<ref>Akhtar, Rais (1991), ''Health Care Patterns and Planning in Developing Countries'', Greenwood Press, p. 264.</ref> Nigeria has been reorganising its health system since the [[Bamako Initiative]] of 1987, which formally promoted community-based methods of increasing accessibility of drugs and health care services to the population, in part by implementing user fees.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.eldis.org/healthsystems/userfees/background.htm
|title=User fees for health: a background
|access-date=28 December 2006
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128203803/http://www.eldis.org/healthsystems/userfees/background.htm
|archive-date=28 November 2006
|url-status=dead
}}</ref> The new strategy dramatically increased accessibility through community-based health care reform, resulting in more efficient and equitable provision of services. A comprehensive approach strategy was extended to all areas of health care, with subsequent improvement in the health care indicators and improvement in health care efficiency and cost.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/4/378
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828093311/http://heapol.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/4/378
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=28 August 2007
|title=Effect of the Bamako-Initiative drug revolving fund on availability and rational use of essential drugs in primary health care facilities in south-east Nigeria
|access-date=28 December 2006
}}</ref>
 
[[HIV/AIDS in Nigeria|HIV/AIDS rate in Nigeria]] is much lower compared to the other African nations such as Botswana or South Africa whose prevalence (percentage) rates are in the double digits. {{As of|2019}}, the [[HIV]] prevalence rate among adults ages 15–49 was 1.5 per cent.<ref name=":0" /> The [[life expectancy]] in Nigeria is 54.7 years on average,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title={{!}} Human Development Reports|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/NGA|access-date=2021-02-04|website=hdr.undp.org}}</ref> and 71% and 39% of the population have access to improved water sources and improved [[sanitation]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Countdown Country Profiles|url=https://profiles.countdown2030.org/#/cp/NGA|access-date=2021-02-04|website=profiles.countdown2030.org}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, the infant mortality is 74.2 deaths per 1,000 [[live birth (human)|live births]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births) - Nigeria {{!}} Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.IMRT.IN?locations=NG|access-date=2021-02-04|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref>
 
In 2012, a new bone marrow donor program was launched by the [[University of Nigeria]] to help people with [[leukaemia]], [[lymphoma]], or [[sickle cell disease]] to find a compatible donor for a life-saving [[Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation|bone marrow transplant]], which cures them of their conditions. Nigeria became the second African country to have successfully carried out this surgery.<ref name=McNeil>{{cite news
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/health/a-match-and-a-mission-helping-blacks-battle-cancer.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
|title=Finding a Match, and a Mission: Helping Blacks Survive Cancer
|last=McNeil
|first=Donald
|date=11 May 2012
|work=The New York Times
|access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref> In the [[Western African Ebola virus epidemic|2014 Ebola outbreak]], Nigeria was the first country to effectively contain and eliminate the Ebola threat that was ravaging three other countries in the West African region; the unique method of [[contact tracing]] employed by Nigeria became an effective method later used by countries such as the United States when Ebola threats were discovered.<ref name="Matt Schiavenza">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/10/why-nigeria-stopped-ebola-but-not-boko-haram/381442/|title=Why Nigeria Was Able to Beat Ebola, but Not Boko Haram|first=Matt |last=Schiavenza|date=14 October 2014|work=The Atlantic|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref><ref name="The Punch">{{cite news|url=http://www.punchng.com/news/us-sends-medical-experts-to-study-how-nigeria-contained-ebola/ |title=US sends experts to study Nigeria's anti-Ebola strategies |newspaper=The Punch |date=3 October 2014 |access-date=8 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205124719/http://www.punchng.com/news/us-sends-medical-experts-to-study-how-nigeria-contained-ebola/ |archive-date= 5 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Vanguard">{{cite web |url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/us-sends-medical-experts-study-nigeria-tamed-ebola/ |title=US sends medical experts to study how Nigeria tamed Ebola |first=Hugo |last=Odiogor|work=Vanguard |date=2 October 2014 |access-date=8 May 2015}}</ref>
 
The Nigerian health care system is continuously faced with a shortage of doctors known as "[[Human capital flight|brain drain]]", because of emigration by skilled Nigerian doctors to North America and Europe. In 1995, an estimated 21,000 Nigerian doctors were practising in the United States alone, which is about the same as the number of doctors working in the Nigerian public service. Retaining these expensively trained professionals has been identified as one of the goals of the government.<ref>{{cite web
|last = Anekwe
|first = Mike Chinedu
|title = BRAIN DRAIN: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE (1)
|publisher =[[Niger Delta Congress]]
|date = April 2003
|url = http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/barticles/brain_drain_the_nigerian_experie.htm
|access-date = 7 June 2011
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110527134510/http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/barticles/brain_drain_the_nigerian_experie.htm
|archive-date = 27 May 2011
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
 
=== Education ===
 
{{Main|Education in Nigeria}}
[[File:University of Lagos2.jpg|The [[University of Lagos]]|thumb]]
 
Education in Nigeria is overseen by the [[Federal Ministry of Education (Nigeria)|Ministry of Education]]. [[Local government areas of Nigeria|Local authorities]] take responsibility for implementing policy for state-controlled public education and state schools at a regional level. The education system is divided into [[kindergarten]], [[primary education]], [[secondary education]] and [[tertiary education]]. After the 1970s oil boom, tertiary education was improved so it would reach every subregion of Nigeria. 68% of the Nigerian population is literate, and the rate for men (75.7%) is higher than that for women (60.6%).<ref name=CP2006>{{cite web|title=Country Profile – Nigeria|publisher=[[United States Library of Congress]] – Federal Research Division|date=July 2008|url= http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Nigeria.pdf|access-date =28 May 2011}}</ref>
 
Nigeria provides free, government-supported education, but attendance is not compulsory at any level, and certain groups, such as nomads and the handicapped, are under-served. The education system consists of six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school, and four, five or six years of university education leading to a bachelor's degree.<ref name=CP2006/> The government has majority control of university education. Tertiary education in Nigeria consists of universities (public and private), polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education. The country has a total of 138 universities, with 40 federally owned, 39 state-owned, and 59 privately owned. Nigeria was ranked 118th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2021, down from 114th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2021  |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2021/|work=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]]|publisher=[[United Nations]]|access-date=2022-03-05 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2021-09-02|website=www.wipo.int|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=RTD - Item|url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/rtd/items/691898|access-date=2021-09-02|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-28|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2021-09-02|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en}}</ref>
 
=== Crime ===
{{Main|Crime in Nigeria}}
[[File:Nigerian_female_police.jpg|thumb|300x300px|A [[Nigeria Police Force|Nigerian police officer]] at the [[Eyo festival]] in Lagos]]
Nigeria is home to a [[Organized crime in Nigeria|substantial network of organised crime]], active especially in [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]], shipping heroin from Asian countries to Europe and America; and [[cocaine]] from South America to Europe and South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|title=Organized Crime: African Criminal Enterprises|url=https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/organizedcrime/african|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906100838/https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/organizedcrime/african/|archive-date=6 September 2015|access-date=7 June 2011|publisher=[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]}}</ref> Various [[Confraternities in Nigeria|Nigerian confraternities]] or student "campus cults" are active in both organised crime and political violence as well as providing a network of corruption within Nigeria. As confraternities have extensive connections with political and military figures, they offer excellent alumni networking opportunities. The Supreme Vikings Confraternity, for example, boasts that twelve members of the [[Rivers State House of Assembly]] are cult members.<ref name="cults2">{{cite news|date=31 July 2008|title=Cults of violence – How student fraternities turned into powerful and well-armed gangs|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11849078|access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref> In lower levels of society, there are the "[[area boys]]", organised gangs mostly active in Lagos who specialise in a mugging and small-scale drug dealing. Gang violence in Lagos resulted in 273 civilians and 84 policemen being killed from August 2000 to May 2001.<ref>{{cite news|last=Olukoya|first=Sam|date=20 February 2003|title=Crime war rages in Nigeria|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1443902.stm|access-date=7 June 2011}}</ref>
 
There is some [[piracy in the Gulf of Guinea]], with attacks directed at all types of vessels. Consistent with the rise of Nigeria as an increasingly dangerous hot spot, 28 of the 30 seafarers kidnapped globally between January and June 2013 were in Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicnic |first=Donna |title=Maritime Security: Current Threats and Implications |url=https://www.pacmar.com/story/2013/10/01/features/maritime-security-current-threats-and-implications/184.html |website=Pacific Maritime Magazine |date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317212618/https://pacmar.com/story/2013/10/01/features/maritime-security-current-threats-and-implications/184.html |archive-date=17 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Internationally, Nigeria is infamous for a form of bank fraud dubbed ''419'', a type of [[advance-fee scam]] (named after Section 419 of the Nigerian Penal Code) along with the "Nigerian scam", a form of [[confidence trick]] practised by individuals and criminal syndicates.<ref>{{cite web|author=Glickman, Harvey|year=2005|title=The Nigerian "419" Advance Fee Scams: Prank or Peril?|url=http://www.haverford.edu/pols/faculty/glickman/Articles/CJAS_Text_final_1-35.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115001333/http://www.haverford.edu/pols/faculty/glickman/Articles/CJAS_Text_final_1-35.pdf|archive-date=15 January 2005|access-date=27 May 2011|publisher=[[Haverford College]], Department of Political science}}</ref> These scams involve a complicit Nigerian bank (the laws being set up loosely to allow it) and a scammer who claims to have money he needs to obtain from that bank. The victim is talked into exchanging bank account information on the premise that the money will be transferred to them and they will get to keep a cut. In reality, money is taken out instead, or large fees (which seem small in comparison with the imaginary wealth to be gained) are deducted. In 2003, the Nigerian [[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] was created to combat this and other forms of organised financial crime,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Establishment Act |url=https://www.efccnigeria.org/efcc/about-efcc/the-establishment-act |website=[[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref> and in some cases, it has succeeded in bringing the [[crime boss]]es to justice and even managing to return the stolen money to victims.<ref>{{cite web |title=EFCC recovers and returns $4.48m to 86 year old Hong Kong woman |url=http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686&Itemid=2 |website=[[Economic and Financial Crimes Commission]] |access-date=1 July 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061007150402/http://www.efccnigeria.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=686&Itemid=2 |archive-date=7 October 2006 |date=13 October 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
Nigeria has been [[Corruption in Nigeria|pervaded by political corruption]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Adebanwi|first=Wale|author-link=Wale Adebanw|title=Mobilizing for Change|work=Contesting the Nigerian State|year=2013|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|doi=10.1057/9781137324535|isbn=978-1-137-32453-5}}</ref> Nigeria was ranked 136 out of 182 countries in [[Transparency International]]'s 2014 [[Corruption Perceptions Index]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Chima, Obinna|date=4 December 2014|title=Nigeria Records Improvement, Ranked 39th on Corruption Index|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-records-improvement-ranked-39th-on-corruption-index/195767/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208144949/https://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-records-improvement-ranked-39th-on-corruption-index/195767/|archive-date=8 February 2015|access-date=8 February 2015|publisher=This Day Live}}</ref> More than $400&nbsp;billion were stolen from the treasury by Nigeria's leaders between 1960 and 1999.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=23 April 2007|title=A Failure of Democracy in Nigeria|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1613615,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070529003012/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1613615,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2007|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> In 2015, incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari said corrupt officials have stolen $150&nbsp;billion from Nigeria in the last 10 years.<ref>"[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33689115 Nigerian former minister 'stole $6bn of public money']". BBC News. 28 July 2015.</ref>
 
==== Terrorist attacks ====
On March, 28th, 2022, the [[Abuja–Kaduna train attack|train between Abuja and Kaduna was attacked]]. 2 bombs exploded and armed men started shooting. 8 persons were killed, more than 60 persons were abducted. The onslaught has been blamed on local bandits. As per June, 17th, 2022, hostages are still being released.<ref>{{Citation |title=Abducted Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack Victims Regain Freedom |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVUFHWRHz40 |language=en |access-date=2022-06-17}}</ref>
 
On Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, armed men detonated explosives and [[Owo church attack|shot at worshippers]] at St. Francis Catholic Church in [[Owo]], [[Ondo State|Ondo]] state. 40 persons were killed. Investigators blame the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for the [[massacre]].
 
=== Poverty ===
{{Main|Poverty in Nigeria}}
 
[[Poverty in Nigeria|Nigeria poverty rates]] have gone down significantly in the 2010s because of economic growth. The World Bank states Nigeria has had a 7.4% economic growth in July 2019 which has been their highest yet since the [https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/NGA/nigeria/gdp-gross-domestic-product#:~:text=Nigeria%20gdp%20for%202018%20was,a%2018.18%25%20decline%20from%202015. gross domestic product rate decreased to 2%.] While as of May 4, 2020, 40% of Nigerians live in poverty, this number still shows the growth of the developing country, with [https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/NGA/nigeria/gdp-gross-domestic-product#:~:text=Nigeria%20gdp%20for%202018%20was,a%2018.18%25%20decline%20from%202015. a previously counted 61% of the population living in poverty in 2012.] Having made their plans to reduce this number, Nigeria has presented a plan to the [[World Bank Group]] to lower this number tremendously. Government instability, which affects the rate at which citizens are employed, is the major reason for the poverty levels being higher in certain periods.
 
=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Nigeria}}
[[File:Protesters at the endSARS protest in Lagos, Nigeria 19.jpg|thumb|[[End SARS]] is a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against [[police brutality]] in Nigeria.]]
[[File:Women_in_Tech.jpg|thumb|[[Nigerian]] women in tech]]
Nigeria's human rights record remains poor.<ref name="StateDeptHumanRights2">{{cite web|date=25 February 2009|title=2008 Human Rights Report: Nigeria|url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/af/119018.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226175315/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/af/119018.htm|archive-date=26 February 2009|access-date=20 March 2009|work=2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices|publisher=United States, Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor}}</ref> According to the U.S. Department of State,<ref name="StateDeptHumanRights2" /> the most significant human rights problems are the use of excessive force by security forces, impunity for abuses by security forces, arbitrary arrests, prolonged pretrial detention, judicial corruption and executive influence on the judiciary, rape, torture and other cruel, [[inhuman or degrading treatment]] of prisoners, detainees and suspects; harsh and life‑threatening prison and detention centre conditions; human trafficking for prostitution and forced labour, societal violence and vigilante killings, [[Child labour in Nigeria|child labour]], child abuse and [[Child sexual abuse in Nigeria|child sexual exploitation]], [[Domestic violence in Nigeria|domestic violence]], discrimination based on ethnicity, region and religion.
 
Nigeria is a state party of the [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=OHCHR &#124; Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/cedaw/pages/cedawindex.aspx|website=www.ohchr.org}}</ref> It also has signed the [[Maputo Protocol]], an international treaty on women's rights, and the African Union Women's Rights Framework.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 March 2017|title=Failure to pass equality bill betrays Nigerian women, activists say|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-women-lawmaking-idUSKCN0WJ2L4|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Guilbert|first1=Kieran}}</ref> Discrimination based on sex is a significant human rights issue. Forced marriages are common.<ref>{{cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=Refworld – Nigeria: Prevalence of forced marriage, particularly in Muslim and Yoruba communities; information on legislation, including state protection; ability of women to refuse a forced marriage|url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/50b4ab202.html}}</ref> [[Child marriage in Nigeria|Child marriage]] remains common in Northern Nigeria;<ref>{{cite news|title=Nigeria's child brides: 'I thought being in labour would never end'|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/sep/02/nigeria-child-brides-religion |last=Mark |first=Monica |date=2 September 2013 |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> 39% of girls are married before age 15, although the Marriage Rights Act banning marriage of girls below 18 years old was introduced on a federal level in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Joe Sandler|date=11 March 2015|title=Nigeria: Child brides facing death sentences a decade after child marriage prohibited|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/mar/11/the-tragedy-of-nigerias-child-brides|work=The Guardian}}</ref> There is rampant [[Polygamy in Nigeria|polygamy in Northern Nigeria]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Shoneyin|first=Lola|author-link=Lola Shoneyin|date=19 March 2010|title=Polygamy? No thanks|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/20/polygamy-nigeria-abuja-tradition|work=The Guardian |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> Submission of the wife to her husband and [[Domestic violence in Nigeria|domestic violence are common]]. Women have fewer land rights.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Bioye Tajudeen |last1=Aluko |first2=Abdul–Rasheed |last2=Amidu |name-list-style=amp |url=https://www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/accra/papers/ts09/ts09_04_aluko_amidu.pdf |title=Women and Land Rights Reforms in Nigeria |date=2006 |publisher=5th FIG Regional Conference |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> [[Maternal death|Maternal mortality]] was at 814 per 100,000 live births in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) &#124; Data|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT|website=data.worldbank.org}}</ref> [[Female genital mutilation in Nigeria|Female genital mutilation is common]], although a ban was implemented in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Topping|first=Alexandra|date=29 May 2015|title=Nigeria's female genital mutilation ban is important precedent, say campaigners|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/29/outlawing-fgm-nigeria-hugely-important-precedent-say-campaigners|work=The Guardian}}</ref> In Nigeria, at least half a million suffer from [[Urogenital fistula|vaginal fistula]], largely as a result of lack of medical care.<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Nigeria, neglected women bear the shame of fistulas|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/6/11/in-nigeria-neglected-women-bear-the-shame-of-fistulas.html|website=america.aljazeera.com |last=Oduah |first=Chika |date=11 June 2015 |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 March 2002|title=The Dutch doctor and the river spirit|url=http://www.radionetherlandsarchives.org/the-dutch-doctor-and-the-river-spirit/ |website=Radio Netherlands Archives |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> Early marriages can result in the fistula.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=Gwyneth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f_dfsWsTOigC&q=early%20marriage%20fistula&pg=PT14|title=Obstetric Fistula: Guiding Principles for Clinical Management and Programme Development|last2=Bernis|first2=L. De|last3=Safer|first3=World Health Organization Department of Making Pregnancy|date=1 January 2006|publisher=World Health Organization|isbn=9789241593670|author-link=Gwyneth Lewis (scientist)|via=Google Books}}</ref>
 
[[Gender inequality in Nigeria|Women face a large amount of inequality]] politically in Nigeria, being subjugated to a bias that is [[Sexism|sexist]] and reinforced by socio-cultural, economic and oppressive ways.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ajayi|first=Kunle|date=2007|title=Gender Self-Endangering: The Sexist Issue in Nigerian Politics|journal=The Social Science Journal|volume=14|pages=137–147|via=Department of Political Science, University of Ado}}</ref> Women throughout the country were only politically [[Emancipation|emancipated]] in 1979.<ref>Epiphany Azinge, "The Right to Vote in Nigeria: A Critical Commentary on the Open Ballot System," ''Journal of African Law'', Vol. 38, No. 2 (1994), pp. 173-180.</ref> Yet husbands continue to dictate the votes for many women in Nigeria, which upholds the patriarchal system.<ref name="Ajayi, Kunle 200723">{{cite journal |last=Ajayi |first=Kunle |date=2007 |title=Gender Self-Endangering: The Sexist Issue in Nigerian Politics |journal=The Social Science Journal |volume=14 |number=137–147 &#x2013 |via=Department of Political Science, University of Ado}}</ref> Most workers in the [[Informal economy|informal sector]] are women.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fapohunda|first=Tinuke M|date=1 January 2012|title=Women and the Informal Sector in Nigeria: Implications for Development|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258344067 |journal=British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences |issn=2046-9578 |volume=4 |number=1}}</ref> Women's representation in government since independence from Britain is very poor. Women have been reduced to sideline roles in appointive posts throughout all levels of government and still make up a tiny minority of elected officials.<ref name="Ajayi, Kunle 200723" /> But nowadays with more education available to the public, Nigerian women are taking steps to have more active roles in the public, and with the help of different initiatives, more businesses are being started by women.
 
Under the [[Sharia in Nigeria|Shari'a]] penal code that applies to Muslims in twelve northern states, offences such as alcohol consumption, [[LGBT rights in Nigeria|homosexuality]],<ref>{{cite news|date=16 June 2016|title=Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/|newspaper=The Washington Post |last1=Bearak |first1=Max |last2=Cameron |first2=Darla |access-date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> infidelity and theft carry harsh sentences, including amputation, lashing, stoning and long prison terms.<ref name="UKtravel2">{{cite web|date=20 March 2009|title=Sub Saharan Africa, Nigeria|url=http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria?ta=lawsCustoms&pg=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524133652/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/nigeria?ta=lawsCustoms&pg=3|archive-date=24 May 2011|access-date=20 March 2009|work=Travel advice by country|publisher=United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office}}</ref> According to a 2013 survey by the [[Pew Research Center]], 98% of Nigerians believe homosexuality should not be accepted by society.<ref name="pewglobal.org2">{{cite web |url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ |title=The Global Divide on Homosexuality |work=pewglobal |date=4 June 2013}}</ref>
 
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Nigeria}}
 
=== Cuisine ===
[[Nigerian cuisine]], like West African cuisine in general, is known for its richness and variety. Many different spices, herbs, and flavourings are used in conjunction with [[palm oil]] or [[Peanut|groundnut]] oil to create deeply flavoured sauces and soups often made very hot with [[chili pepper|chilli pepper]]s. Nigerian feasts are colourful and lavish, while aromatic market and roadside snacks cooked on barbecues or fried in oil are plentiful and varied. [[Suya]] is usually sold in urban areas especially during night-time.<ref>Anthonio, H.O. and Isoun, M. (1982), ''Nigerian Cookbook'', Macmillan, Lagos, {{ISBN|0-333-32698-9}}.</ref>
 
=== Fashion ===
{{Main|Fashion in Nigeria}}
[[File:Lisa_Folawiyo_Designer.png|thumb|''[[Lisa Folawiyo]],'' Fashion Designer From Nigeria]]
Nigeria is not only known for their many fashion textiles and garment pieces that are secret to their culture. They also outputted many fashion designers who have develop many techniques and business along the way. [[Lisa Folawiyo]] is known for her label, Jewel by Lisa, which launched in 2005, through her label she is a self-made Nigerian fashion designer. Her expertise is focusing traditional West African Fabrics with tailoring but using a modern Technique.<ref name="Gachanja">{{Cite web|last=Gachanja|first=Nelly|date=2019-04-06|title=10 Best Nigerian Fashion Designers|url=https://africa.com/top-10-nigerian-fashion-designers/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=Africa.com|language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, she is known for her custom luxury prints where she likes to include nods to traditional African aesthetics. Lisa produces accessories such as jewelry and purses. [http://bonguise.com/j-label-lisa-folawiyo/ Line J Label], her diffusion line, showcases the best of Nigerian culture by incorporating [https://afropop.org/ Afropop] with tasteful urban designs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lisa Folawiyo - Haute Fashion Africa (HFA)|url=https://hautefashionafrica.com/designer/lisa-folawiyo/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=Haute Fashion Africa|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
''[[Shade Thomas-Fahm|Shade Thomas]]'' (later Thomas-Fahm) as Nigeria's first widely recognized fashion designer in the 1990s. After learning about fashion design, she set up a shop at the [[Federal Palace Hotel]]. She specialized in the use of locally woven and dyed textiles. The simplistic fashions help her gain awareness and customers to her shop at home and Abroad. Outlets were not the only expertise, she also exported clothes to the U.S. Thomas-Fahm join and hosts international shows.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Denzer|first=LaRay|date=2010|title="The Nigerian Fashion Scene"|url=http://dx.doi.org.mimas.calstatela.edu/10.2752/BEWDF/EDch1050|journal=Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion: Africa.|volume=Oxford: Berg Publishers|pages=331–336|doi=10.2752/BEWDF/EDch1050|isbn=9781847888501|via=Bloomsbury Fashion Central}}</ref>
 
''[[Duro Olowu]]'', Nigerian born, however has Jamaican roots. Olowu is well known for his unique and colourful African prints. Olowu's fame & recognition has landed him with working top tier people such as [[Michelle Obama]], [[Solange Knowles]], [[Uma Thurman]], and [[Linda Evangelista]].<ref name="Gachanja"/>
 
=== Festival ===
{{Main|Festivals in Nigeria}}
[[File:Eyo_Iga_Jump.jpg|thumb|An [[Eyo festival|Eyo]] Iga Olowe Salaye masquerade jumping]]
There are many [[festivals in Nigeria]], some of which date to the period before the arrival of the major religions in this ethnically and culturally diverse society. The main Muslim and Christian festivals are often celebrated in ways that are unique to Nigeria or unique to the people of a locality.<ref name="OnlineNigeria2">{{cite web|title=Festivals in Nigeria|url=http://www.onlinenigeria.com/festivals/|access-date=26 April 2011|work=Online Nigeria}}</ref> The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation has been working with the states to upgrade the traditional festivals, which may become important sources of tourism revenue.<ref name="Oxford20102">{{cite book|author=Oxford Business Group|title=The Report: Nigeria 2010|publisher=Oxford Business Group|isbn=978-1-907065-14-9|page=243|chapter=Patchwork of Celebration|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VFONkYzHco8C&pg=PA243}}</ref>
 
=== Literature ===
{{Main|Nigerian literature}}
[[File:Things_Fall_Apart_books_02.jpg|thumb|[[Chinua Achebe]]'s ''[[Things Fall Apart]]'', Africa's most popular and best selling literary piece ever, has been translated into more than forty languages.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Bob|date=14 March 2008|title=An enduring classic|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=16&art_id=63036&sid=18059567&con_type=3&d_str=&fc=10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604133635/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=16&art_id=63036&sid=18059567&con_type=3&d_str=&fc=10|archive-date=4 June 2011|access-date=7 June 2011|work=The Standard}}</ref>]]
Nigerian citizens have authored many influential works of post-colonial literature in the English language. Nigeria's best-known writers are [[Wole Soyinka]], the first African [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Nobel Laureate in Literature]], and [[Chinua Achebe]], best known for the novel ''[[Things Fall Apart]]'' (1958) and his controversial critique of [[Joseph Conrad]]. Other Nigerian [[List of Nigerian writers|writers]] and [[List of Nigerian poets|poets]] who are well known internationally include [[J. P. Clark|John Pepper Clark]], [[Ben Okri]], [[Buchi Emecheta]], [[Helon Habila]], [[T. M. Aluko]], [[Isaac Delano]], [[Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie]], [[Daniel O. Fagunwa]], [[Femi Osofisan]] and [[Ken Saro-Wiwa]], who was executed in 1995 by the military regime. Critically acclaimed writers of a younger generation include [[Tomi Adeyemi]], [[Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani]], [[Chris Abani]], [[Helon Habila]], [[Helen Oyeyemi]], [[Nnedi Okorafor]], [[Sarah Ladipo Manyika]], [[Jeffrey O]]bomeghie, and [[Chika Unigwe]].
 
=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Nigeria}}
[[File:Wizkid_at_Iyanya's_album_launch_concert,_2013.jpg|left|thumb|[[Wizkid (musician)|Wizkid]] is a popular [[List of Nigerian musicians|musician]] in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.]]
Nigeria has had a huge role in the development of various genres of [[Music of Africa|African music]], including West African [[Highlife]], [[Palm-wine music]], [[Jùjú music|JuJu]], [[Afrobeat]], [[Afrobeats]], which fuses native rhythms with techniques that have been linked to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congo]], [[Brazil]], [[Jamaica]], [[United States]] and worldwide.
 
Many late 20th-century musicians such as [[Fela Kuti]] have famously fused cultural elements of various [[indigenous music]] with [[African-American]] [[jazz]] and [[Soul music|soul]] to form Afrobeat which has in turn influenced [[hip hop music]].<ref>Adams, S. ''Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti'': New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York; ''This Is Lagos: Yabis Night, Music and Fela'', Skoto Gallery, New York. ''African Arts'' v. 37, no. 1 (Spring 2004).</ref> [[Jùjú music|JuJu]] music, which is percussion music fused with traditional music from the Yoruba nation and made famous by [[King Sunny Adé]], is from Nigeria. [[Fuji music]], a Yoruba percussion style, was created and popularised by Mr Fuji, Alhaji Sikiru [[Ayinde Barrister]].
 
Afan Music was invented and popularised by the [[Ewu]]-born poet and musician Umuobuarie Igberaese. [[Kennis Music]] originality started the [[Afrobeats|Afrobeats movement in Nigeria]]. [[Kennis Music]] is widely credited for the evolution of the Nigerian music scene and the rise of many major players.<ref>{{cite web |title=NIGERIAN MUSIC: THEN AND NOW |url=https://guardian.ng/life/on-the-cover/nigerian-music-then-and-now/ |publisher=Guardian |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref> In November 2008, Nigeria's music scene (and that of Africa) received international attention when MTV hosted the continent's first African music awards show in Abuja.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 November 2008|title=AP/CNN: MTV launches first-ever African music award show|publisher=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/22/MTV.Africa.ap/index.html|access-date=26 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209102925/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/22/MTV.Africa.ap/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2008}}</ref> Additionally, the first music video played on MTV Base Africa (the 100th station on the MTV network) was [[Tuface|Tuface Idibia]]'s pan-African hit "African Queen". Notable musicians from Nigeria include [[Sade Adu]], [[King Sunny Adé]], [[Onyeka Onwenu]], [[Dele Sosimi]], [[Adewale Ayuba]], [[Ezebuiro Obinna]], [[Ebenezer Obey]], [[Femi Kuti]], [[Lagbaja]], [[Dr Alban]], [[Bola Abimbola]], [[Tuface|Tuface Idibia]], [[Aṣa]],  [[Sinach]], [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[P Square]], [[Wizkid]], [[Skepta]], [[Davido]], [[Burna Boy]] and [[D'Banj]], [[Olamide]].
 
=== Cinema ===
{{Main|Cinema of Nigeria}}
 
The Nigerian film industry is known as [[Nollywood]] (a [[Blend word|blend]] of ''Nigeria'' and [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]]<ref>"[https://www.economist.com/node/17723124?story_id=17723124&CFID=153287426&CFTOKEN=59754693 Nollywood: Lights, camera, Africa]", ''[[The Economist]]'', 18 December 2010, pp. 85–88.</ref>) and is now the largest producer of movies in the world takeover from India's [[Bollywood]]. Nigerian [[film studios]] are based in [[Lagos]], [[Kano (city)|Kano]], [[Enugu]] forming a major portion of the local economy of these cities. [[Cinema of Nigeria|Nigerian Cinema Is Africa's Largest Movie Industry In Terms Of Both Value And The Number Of Movies Produced Per Year]]. Although Nigerian films have been produced since the 1960s, the country's film industry has been aided by the rise of affordable [[Digital cinema|digital filming and editing]] technologies.
 
The 2009 thriller film ''[[The Figurine]]'' heightened the media attention towards the [[New Nigerian Cinema]] revolution. The film was a critical and commercial success in Nigeria, and it was also screened in international film festivals.<ref name="Thorburn, Jane2">{{cite web|author=Thorburn, Jane|title=NOLLYWOOD 2 Doing It Right|url=http://www.janethorburn.co.uk/nollywood2DoingItRight.html#pixsmall48adfc|access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> The 2010 film ''[[Ijé]]'' by Chineze Anyaene, overtook ''The Figurine'' to become the [[List of highest-grossing films in Nigeria|highest-grossing Nigerian film]]; a record it held for four years until it was overtaken in 2014 by ''[[Half of a Yellow Sun (film)|Half of a Yellow Sun]]''(2013).<ref name="The Economist2">{{cite news|date=17 July 2014|title=Nigerian films try to move upmarket: Nollywood's new scoreboard|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/baobab/2014/07/nigerian-films-try-move-upmarket|access-date=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Akande, Victor|date=14 September 2014|title=Toronto: Nigerians disagree over new Nollywood|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/new/toronto-nigerians-disagree-over-new-nollywood/|access-date=24 March 2015|work=The Nation Newspaper|publisher=The Nation Online}}</ref> By 2016, this record was held by ''[[The Wedding Party (2016 film)|The Wedding Party]]'', a film by [[Kemi Adetiba]].
 
By the end of 2013, the film industry reportedly hit a record-breaking revenue of ₦1.72&nbsp;trillion (US$4.1&nbsp;billion). As of 2014, the industry was worth ₦853.9&nbsp;billion (US$5.1&nbsp;billion), making it the third most valuable film industry in the world behind the [[United States]] and [[India]]. It contributed about 1.4% to Nigeria's economy; this was attributed to the increase in the number of quality films produced and more formal distribution methods.<ref>{{cite web|author=Liston, Enjoli|date=10 April 2014|title=Hello Nollywood: how Nigeria became Africa's biggest economy overnight|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/10/nigeria-africa-biggest-economy-nollywood|access-date=12 April 2014|work=The Guardian Newspaper}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Hazlewood, Phil|date=7 April 2014|title=Nollywood helps Nigeria kick South Africa's economic butt|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/world/2014/04/07/nollywood-helps-nigeria-kick-south-africa-s-economic-butt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145853/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/world/2014/04/07/nollywood-helps-nigeria-kick-south-africa-s-economic-butt|archive-date=13 April 2014|access-date=12 April 2014|publisher=Sowetan Live}}</ref>
 
[[T.B. Joshua]]'s [[Emmanuel TV]], originating from Nigeria, is one of the most viewed television stations across Africa.<ref>{{cite news|last=Manasa|first=Makweembo|date=11 February 2010|title=TB Joshua – 21st Century Prophet in Our Midst?|work=Zambian Watchdog|url=http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/2010/02/11/tb-joshua-21st-century-prophet-in-our-midst/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710080804/http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/2010/02/11/tb-joshua-21st-century-prophet-in-our-midst/|archive-date=10 July 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 
=== Comedy ===
{{Main|Comedy of Nigeria}}
The Nigerian comedy industry keep increasing their exposure by hosting independent comedy shows and comedy competitions in Nigeria and abroad. [[Comedy|Nigeria comedy industry is the largest comedy industry in Africa]], it is now the 3rd largest Entertainment industry in Nigeria after ([[Nollywood]] and [[Music of nigeria|Nigerian music]]) worth an estimated ₦50 billion annually. In addition, [[comedians]] are also taking their exposure and growth into their own hands by producing [[Sketch comedy|comedy skits]] and making it available to the general public through [[social media]]. Notable comedians from Nigeria include [[Alibaba Akpobome|Ali Baba]], [[Julius Agwu]], [[Okey Bakassi]], [[Basketmouth]], [[Bovi]], [[Ayo Makun]], [[Igosave]], [[I Go Dye]], [[Princess]], [[Helen Paul]], [[Akpororo]], [[kenny Blaq]], [[Broda Shaggi]], [[Taaooma]], [[Lasisi Elenu]], [[Mr Macaroni]], [[Woli Arole]], [[Emmanuella]], [[Mark Angel (comedian)|Mark Angel]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Laughter is a serious business for top comedian |url=http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/03/06/spc-african-voices-atunyota-alleluya-akporobomerere-a.cnn/ |author=CNN African Voices |date=March 6, 2015 }}</ref>
 
=== Dance ===
{{Main|Dance in Nigeria}}
The Nigerian dance industry has been blooming and prospering worldwide. Nigerian dance has been largely influenced by traditional music and hip-hop dances. Nigerian dance is often a mixture of [[Afrobeats]] dance step and [[hip-hop dance|hip-hop]] and local west African dances and many Nigerian dancers have taken up [[dancing]] as their profession and excelled within the likes of [[Dancer|Poco Lee]], [[Modern dance|Rahman Jago]], [[Crew|GGB Dance Crew]], [[Kaffy]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/11/10/bn-saturday-celebrity-interview-chilling-out-with-nigerias-guinness-world-record-holder-the-dance-queen-kaffy/ | title=BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: Chilling Out with Nigeria's Guinness World Record Holder, the "Dance Queen" Kaffy! | publisher=Adeola Adeyemo | work=BellaNaija | date=10 November 2012 | accessdate=5 July 2015}}</ref>
 
=== Sports ===
{{Main|Sports in Nigeria}}
[[File:NIG-ARG_(2).jpg|thumb|[[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]]]]
Football is largely considered Nigeria's national sport, and the country has its own [[Nigeria Professional Football League|Premier League]] of football. [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria's national football team]], known as the "Super Eagles", has made the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] on six occasions [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]], [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014]], and [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]]. In April 1994, the Super Eagles ranked 5th in the [[FIFA World Rankings]], the highest-ranking achieved by an African football team. They won the [[Africa Cup of Nations|African Cup of Nations]] in [[1980 African Cup of Nations|1980]], [[1994 African Cup of Nations|1994]], and [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]], and have also hosted the U-17 & U-20 World Cup. They won the gold medal for football in the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] (in which they beat Argentina) becoming the first African football team to win gold in Olympic football.
 
The nation's [[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1993]] [[Nigeria national under-17 football team|cadet team]] produced some international players notably [[Nwankwo Kanu]], a two-time African footballer of the year who won the European [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] with Ajax Amsterdam and later played with [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter Milan]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]. Other players who graduated from the junior teams are [[Nduka Ugbade]], [[Jonathan Akpoborie]], [[Victor Ikpeba]], [[Celestine Babayaro]],  and [[Taye Taiwo]]. Some other famous Nigerian footballers include [[Mikel John Obi]], [[Obafemi Martins]], [[Vincent Enyeama]], [[Yakubu (footballer)|Yakubu]], [[Rashidi Yekini]], [[Peter Odemwingie]] and [[Jay-Jay Okocha]].
[[File:NIG-ARG_(9).jpg|thumb|Nigerian football supporters at the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia]]
Nigeria is also involved in other sports such as basketball, cricket and track and field.<ref>{{cite web|year=2011|title=Nigerian Basketball|url=http://www.africabasket.com/Nigeria/basketball.asp|access-date=7 June 2011|publisher=Africabasket.com|archive-date=26 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826193254/http://www.africabasket.com/Nigeria/basketball.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Boxing is also an important sport in Nigeria; [[Dick Tiger]] and [[Samuel Peter]] are both former World Champions. In March 2021, the global governing body [[FIBA]] ranked Nigeria as Africa's top men's basketball nation.<ref>{{cite news |title= Omnisports – Basketball : Le Nigéria toujours " Number One " en Afrique|url=https://africafootunited.com/omnisports-basketball-le-nigeria-toujours-number-one-en-afrique/ |accessdate=19 March 2021 |work=AfricaFootUnited.com |date=3 March 2021 |language=French}}</ref> [[Nigeria men's national basketball team|Nigeria's national basketball team]] made the headlines internationally when it became the first African team to beat the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States men's national team]].<ref>{{cite news|first1=Nick |last1=Selbe |title= Nigeria Upsets Team USA in Pre-Olympics Exhibition|url=https://www.si.com/olympics/2021/07/11/team-usa-upset-nigeria-tokyo-games-mens-basketball-exhibition-olympics|accessdate=28 August 2021 |work=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=10 July 2021}}</ref> In earlier years, Nigeria qualified for the [[Basketball at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]] as it beat heavily favoured world elite teams such as [[Greece men's national basketball team|Greece]] and [[Lithuania men's national basketball team|Lithuania]].<ref>[http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/52642/arti.html OQTM – Nigeria celebrates 'greatest' victory], fiba.com, accessed 16 December 2012.</ref> Nigeria has been home to numerous internationally recognised basketball players in the world's top leagues in America, Europe and Asia. These players include [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Basketball Hall of Famer]] [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], and later [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] draft picks [[Solomon Alabi]], [[Yinka Dare]], [[Obinna Ekezie]], [[Festus Ezeli]], [[Al-Farouq Aminu]], [[Olumide Oyedeji]] and others. The [[Nigerian Premier League (basketball)|Nigerian Premier League]] has become one of the biggest and most-watched basketball competitions in Africa. The games have aired on ''Kwese TV'' and have averaged a viewership of over a million people.<ref>{{cite news |first=Lee |last=Nxumalo |title=Basketball's next frontier is Africa|url=https://www.newframe.com/basketballs-next-frontier-is-africa/|access-date=11 January 2021 |work=New Frame |date=20 December 2020}}</ref>
 
Nigeria made history by qualifying the first [[Bobsleigh|bobsled]] team for the [[Winter Olympic Games|Winter Olympics]] from Africa when their women's two-person team qualified for [[Bobsleigh at the 2018 Winter Olympics|the bobsled competition]] at the [[2018 Winter Olympics|XXIII Olympic Winter Games]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Udoh|first1=Colin|date=17 November 2017|title=Nigeria bobsled women qualify for Winter Olympics|work=ESPN|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/story/_/id/21430137/nigeria-bobsled-women-qualify-winter-olympics|access-date=29 January 2018}}</ref> In the early 1990s, [[Scrabble]] was made an official sport in Nigeria. By the end of 2017, there were around 4,000 players in more than 100 clubs in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Nigeria produces Scrabble champions|newspaper = The Economist|date = 30 November 2017|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2017/11/30/why-nigeria-produces-scrabble-champions?zid=319&ah=17af09b0281b01505c226b1e574f5cc1|access-date=30 November 2017}}</ref> In 2015, [[Wellington Jighere]] became the first African player to win [[World Scrabble Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|title=And The No. 1 Scrabble Nation In The World Is ...|newspaper=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2016/08/27/491470531/and-the-no-1-scrabble-nation-in-the-world-is|access-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> In 2018, the Nigerian Curling Federation was established to introduce a new sport to the country with the hope of getting the game to be a part of the curriculum at the elementary, high school, and university levels respectively. At the [[2019 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship]] in Norway, Nigeria won their first international match beating France 8–5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldcurling.org/2020/06/nigeria-rink/ |title=First African curling facility begins development in Nigeria|date=18 June 2020|publisher=[[World Curling Federation]]|access-date=1 May 2021 }}</ref>
 
Nigeria featured women's and men's national teams in [[beach volleyball]] that competed at the [[2018–2020 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Continental Cup Finals start in Africa|url=https://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/continental-cup-finals-start-in-africa?id=94414 |accessdate=7 August 2021 |work=[[FIVB]] |date=22 June 2021}}</ref> The country's U21 national teams qualified for the 2019 [[FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Beach Volleyball: Team Nigeria lands in Cape Verde|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/beach-volleyball-team-nigeria-lands-in-cape-verde/ |accessdate=7 August 2021 |work=[[The Sun (Nigeria)]] |date=25 February 2019}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
{{Portal|Nigeria}}
* [[Index of Nigeria-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Nigeria]]
* [[Telephone numbers in Nigeria]]
* [[Deportation of West African migrants from Nigeria]]
 
{{reflist|group=Note}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== Further reading ==
{{commonscat}}
 
{{Africa}}
* {{cite web|language=en|title=Black China: Africa's First Superpower Is Coming Sooner Than You Think|website=Newsweek|date=15 January 2020|first=Sam |last=Hill|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/black-china-africas-first-superpower-is-coming-sooner-than-you-think/ar-BBYYOwW?ocid=spartanntp}}
{{Commonwealth nations}}
* Dibua, Jeremiah I. ''Modernization and the crisis of development in Africa: the Nigerian experience'' (Routledge, 2017).
*Ekundare, Olufemi R. ''An Economic History of Nigeria 1860-1960'' (Methuen & Co Ltd, 1973).
* Falola, Toyin; and Adam Paddock. ''Environment and Economics in Nigeria'' (2012).
* Falola, Toyin and Ann Genova. ''Historical Dictionary of Nigeria'' (Scarecrow Press, 2009)
* Falola, Toyin, and Matthew M. Heaton. ''A History of Nigeria'' (2008)
* Shillington, Kevin. ''Encyclopedia of African History''. (U of Michigan Press, 2005) p.&nbsp;1401.
* Metz, Helen Chapin, ed. ''Nigeria: a country study'' (U.S. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division, 1992) [https://www.loc.gov/item/92009026/ online free], comprehensive historical and current coverage; not copyright.
*Jones, Cunliffe-Peter. ''My Nigeria Five Decades of Independence. (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010).''
*Achebe, Chinua. ''The trouble with Nigeria. (Fourth Dimension, 1983)''
 
== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Nigeria}}
* {{Official website|http://www.nigeria.gov.ng}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Nigeria}}
* {{OSM relation|192787}}
* [https://www.theinfostride.com/forum/index.php?topic=257 Know More about Nigeria]
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/ Nigeria]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
<!--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:External_links#Occasionally_acceptable_links 2. Web directories: When deemed appropriate by those contributing to an article on Wikipedia, a link to one web directory listing can be added, with preference to open directories (if two are comparable and only one is open).-->
 
{{Nigeria topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}}
{{States of Nigeria}}
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{{Ethnic groups in Nigeria}}
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{{Heads of State of Nigeria}}
{{Human rights in Nigeria}}
{{Protected areas of Nigeria}}
{{Countries of Africa}}
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[[Category:Nigeria| ]]
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Latest revision as of 21:13, 19 October 2022

Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • Jamhuriyar Tarayyar Najeriya  (Hausa)
  • Orílẹ̀-èdè Olómìniira Àpapọ̀ Nàìjíríà  (Yoruba)
  • Ọ̀hàńjíkọ̀ Ọ̀hànézè Naìjíríyà  (Igbo)
Flag of Nigeria
Flag
Coat of arms of Nigeria
Coat of arms
Motto: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress"
Anthem: "Arise, O Compatriots"
File:National anthem of Nigeria.oga
CapitalAbuja
9°4′N 7°29′E / 9.067°N 7.483°E / 9.067; 7.483
Largest cityLagos
Official languagesEnglish
National languages
Other languages[1]Over 525 languages[2] including:
Ethnic groups
(2018)[3]
DemonymNigerian
GovernmentFederal presidential republic
• President
Muhammadu Buhari
Yemi Osinbajo
Ahmed Lawan
Femi Gbajabiamila
Olukayode Ariwoola
LegislatureNational Assembly
• Upper house
Senate
• Lower house
House of Representatives
Independence 
from United Kingdom
1 October 1960
1 October 1963
29 May 1999
Area
• Total
923,769 km2 (356,669 sq mi) (31st)
• Water (%)
1.4
Population
• 2021 estimate
211,400,708[4] (7th)
• 2006 census
140,431,691
• Density
218/km2 (564.6/sq mi) (42nd)
GDP (PPP)2021 estimate
• Total
$1.116 trillion[5] (25th)
• Per capita
$5,280 (129th)
GDP (nominal)2021 estimate
• Total
$514.079 billion[5] (29th)
• Per capita
$2,432 (137th)
Gini (2020)Positive decrease 35.1[6]
medium inequality
HDI (2019)Increase 0.539[7]
low (161st)
CurrencyNaira (₦) (NGN)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (WAT)
Calling code+234
ISO 3166 codeNG
Internet TLD.ng

Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It has a population of 216.7 million,[9] more than any other country in Africa. Its capital is Abuja. Nigeria is a large country, with the largest population in Africa and is the most powerful in Africa.[10]

History[edit | edit source]

From the 1500s to the 1800s, many people from the land now called Nigeria (and other parts of West Africa) were taken away and turned into slaves by Europeans, and they were sent to work in the Americas. These slaves were bought and sold in the Americas by Europeans who lived there. Today, many people related to those slaves still live in America, though they are no longer slaves. They are called African Americans.

From 1901 to 1960, the United Kingdom ruled Nigeria. However, by 1960 the people wanted independence, and Britain finally let them have it. For some time after this, Nigeria was a dictatorship, where the leaders stayed in control even if the majority of people disliked them. At this time, the Nigerian Civil War was by separatist Christian Igbo people in the Southeast against the Nigerian government. They did not want to be a part of Nigeria, which was ruled by The Muslim north and mixed west. The war ended with a reunification of Nigeria.

In 1999, Nigeria became a democracy, where people choose their leaders. After that, Olusegun Obasanjo, a Yoruba Christian from the south, became President. In 2007, Umaru Yar'Adua, a Hausa Muslim, was elected to be the next President. Yar'Adua died in May, 2009. Goodluck Jonathan, the vice president, then became president.

Goodluck Jonathan was re-elected as the president after wining the 2011 general elections under the political party, PDP.

He served as the country's president until 2015.

In the early 21st century, there are several low-intensity armed conflicts. These include the insurgency by the Islamist group Boko Haram. The Boko Haram insurgency happens mostly in the northeast. This group wants Sharia law for the country.[11] Another is the Nigerian bandit conflict, in which bandit gangs carry out attacks, mostly in the northwest. There is a separatist insurgency in the southeast.

Geography[edit | edit source]

Nigeria has a total area of 923,768 km2 (356,669 sq mi).[12] It is the world's 32nd-largest country. It shares a border with Benin (773 km), Niger (1497 km), Chad (87 km) and Cameroon (1690 km). It has a coastline of at least 853 km.[13]

The Zuma Rock near Suleja

The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m (7,936 ft). The main rivers are the Niger and the Benue River. They come together and empty into the Niger Delta, one of the world's largest river deltas. It is the location of a large area of Central African mangroves.

Cities[edit | edit source]

These are the cities in Nigeria with over 1 million people as of 2012.

City Population
Lagos 11,547,000
Kano 3,466,000
Ibadan 3,028,000
Abuja 2,245,000
Port Harcourt 1,947,000
Kaduna 1,566,000
Benin City 1,398,000
Zaria 1,075,000

National anthem[edit | edit source]

In Nigeria, there are two national anthems. The first one is called "Nigeria We Hail Thee". The second and current national anthem is called "Arise O' Compatriots. The first one was written by Lilian Jean William and composed by Frances Berda. The second one was written by 5 people and was composed by the Police band. Arise O' Compatriots was first heard during Nigeria's independence.[citation needed]

Religion[edit | edit source]

In Nigeria, there are almost equal numbers of Muslims and Christians. Most of the Christians live in the south, and most of the Muslims live in the north. Contrary to some beliefs, the Nigerian civil war was not only attributed to religious intolerance. The war which took place between 6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970, was a political conflict caused by the attempted secession of the southeastern provinces of Nigeria as the self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra. The conflict was the result of economic, ethnic, cultural and religious tensions among the various peoples of Nigeria.

Natural resources[edit | edit source]

Nigeria produces a large amount of oil, and some fighting has been going on because many people want a share of the oil profits. This fighting has been happening in the area called the Niger Delta, where the Niger River flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

The largest city in Nigeria is Lagos. Nigeria has both grasslands and rainforests, and can get very hot, because it is close to the Equator. Petroleum and agriculture make up the Nigerian economy.

Cuisine[edit | edit source]

Afang Soup

Nigerian cuisine, like West African cuisine in general, is known for its richness and variety. Many different spices, herbs and flavourings are used along with palm oil or groundnut oil. These make deeply flavoured sauces and soups often made very hot with chili peppers. Nigerian feasts are colourful and lavish. Good smelling market and roadside snacks cooked on barbecues or fried in oil are plentiful and varied.[14]

Sport[edit | edit source]

Association football is Nigeria's national sport. The country has its own Premier League of football. Nigeria's Men's national football team, known as the Super Eagles, has made the World Cup five times. These were in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and most recently in 2018. They won the African Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013. They also hosted the Junior World Cup. They won the gold medal for football in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Nigeria is also involved in other sports such as basketball, cricket, sprints and track and field.[15] Boxing is also an important sport in Nigeria; Dick Tiger and Samuel Peter are both former World Champions.

Related pages[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Languages of Nigeria". Ethnologue. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
  2. ↑ Blench, Roger (2014). An Atlas Of Nigerian Languages. Oxford: Kay Williamson Educational Foundation.
  3. ↑ "Africa: Nigeria". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Nigeria Population Growth Rate 1950-2021". macrotrends. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2020 – Nigeria". International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Poverty and Inequality Index". National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  7. ↑ Human Development Report 2020 The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 15 December 2020. pp. 343–346. ISBN 978-92-1-126442-5. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  8. ↑ Akinbode, Ayomide (2 April 2019). "Why Nigeria changed from Right-Hand Drive to Left-Hand Drive in 1972". www.thehistoryville.com. Retrieved 9 July 2021. The terms 'right- and left-hand drive' refer to the position of the driver in the vehicle and are the reverse of the terms 'right- and left-hand traffic'.
  9. ↑ Population Total,
  10. ↑ "Nigeria becomes Africa's largest economy". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  11. ↑ From Cultural Justice to Inter-Ethnic Mediation, Basil Ugorji - 2012
  12. ↑ "Rank Order – Area". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  13. ↑ "Africa :: Nigeria". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 17 May 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
  14. ↑ H.O. Anthonio & M. Isoun: "Nigerian Cookbook". Macmillan, Lagos, 1982.
  15. ↑ "Nigerian Basketball". Africabasket.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 1 September 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.


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