Table of Contents
Overview
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with over 244 million people according to the CIA Fact Sheet. It’s located in West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea, and borders Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
Nigeria is divided into six regions: North Central, North East, North West, South East, South South, and South West. These regions help organise the government and have different climates and economies, from the dry north to the tropical south.
Agriculture
Nigeria’s agricultural sector accounts for 20.4% of GDP, employs over 36% of the workforce, and uses 76.2% of the land, including 40.5% of it as arable land. In 2025, crop estimates rank corn first at 11.44 million tonnes, followed by sorghum at 6.5 million, rice at 5.54 million, with soybean (+7.14%) and wheat (+4.00%) rising, while palm oil remains stable.
Crime
Nigeria faces complex crime issues, including Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa terrorism in the northeast, causing 35,000-40,000 deaths since 2009. Northwest banditry involves kidnappings and cattle rustling, while southeast secessionist violence by groups like IPOB raises tensions.
In 2017, Lagos reported 50,975 offences (55.8%), followed by Abia with 12,408 (13.6%) and Delta with 7,150 (7.8%). Kano, FCT, Anambra, and Kaduna had lower figures, with Kaduna lowest at 1,083 (1.2%).
Demographics
Nigeria’s population is estimated at 244.3 million in 2025, ranking sixth globally with a 2.39% annual growth rate and a young median age of 19.4 years. English is the official language, but Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and more than 500 indigenous tongues are spoken.
With urbanisation at 54.3%, population is concentrated in southern and southwestern hubs such as Lagos. The sex ratio is nearly balanced at 1.02 males per female, while fertility remains high at 4.59 children per woman, resulting in population growth amid poverty and limited access to healthcare.
Economy
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, had a GDP (PPP) of $1.318 trillion in 2024, with 3.4% growth despite its reliance on oil. Per capita income is $5,700, but 40.1% of the population lives in poverty.
Unemployment is 3%, though underemployment is common. Key exports include crude oil to the USA, Spain, and India, while major imports are machinery from China. Inflation reached 33.2%, driven by currency devaluation and the removal of fuel subsidies.
Education
Nigeria allocates 0.3% of its GDP to education, or 3% of its budget, reflecting underinvestment amid a growing youth population. Literacy is 63.2%, with a gender gap: 73.7% for males and 53.3% for females.
Nigeria has over 170 universities, but quality varies, and brain drain reduces the number of skilled professionals. International aid supports efforts to increase enrollment and equity.
Geography
Nigeria, located at 10°00′N, 8°00′E and in the UTC+1 time zone, covers 923,768 km² in West Africa. It borders the Gulf of Guinea, Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
The terrain ranges from southern lowlands and mangrove swamps to central hills, with the southeast featuring the Chappal Waddi mountain (2,419 m) and northern plains. The Niger River flows south from the northwest through rainforests and swamps to its Delta, providing resources such as oil, natural gas, tin, iron ore, and arable land.
Agriculture accounts for 76.2% of land use, with forests covering 19.1%. Environmental issues include droughts in the north, seasonal flooding, and oil spills in the Niger Delta.
Health
Life expectancy is 62.2 years. Infant mortality is 65.6 per 1,000 births, and maternal mortality is 993 per 100,000. According to the 2024 World Malaria Report, the country bears 27% of the global malaria burden with 31% of malaria deaths, amid a 1.3% HIV prevalence.
Access to improved water is 79.6%, and sanitation 62.9%, with rural gaps remaining. Health spending is 4.1% of GDP or 4.3% of the national budget, limited by inadequate facilities and workforce shortages.
Military
Nigeria’s armed forces have about 140,000 active personnel in the army, navy, and air force, plus 82,000 in paramilitary units. Military spending is 0.6% of GDP, with equipment sourced from China, Russia, the US, and others.
Key focus areas include countering terrorism, banditry, and Gulf of Guinea piracy. Deployments involve UN missions like UNISFA and ECOWAS standby forces.
Miscellaneous
Oil drives the economy, but ethnic tensions and military rule (1966-1999) influence politics. Its symbols include the eagle on the green-and-white flag, representing strength. The national anthem reverted to its pre-1978 version in 2024. Cultural and natural sites like the Ancient Kano City Walls and the Ogbunike Cave reflect ancient marvels and traditions amid urban growth.
Religion
Religion in Nigeria is regional, as Muslims make up 53.5%, mainly in the north, where Sharia law is implemented in some states. In comparison, Christians account for 45.9% in the south, including Roman Catholics at 10.6% and other Christians at 35.3%. Traditional beliefs and other faiths comprise 0.6%
Weather
Nigeria’s climate varies regionally: the south has high humidity and rainfall up to 4,000 mm annually; the centre experiences tropical wet and dry seasons; and the north, influenced by the Sahara, is arid with less than 600 mm of rain. Temperatures range from 25 to 35°C, with higher temperatures in the north.