Africa’s Most Populous Country and Cultural Powerhouse
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country (227 million people, projected to overtake the United States as the world’s third-most-populous country by 2050) and one of its largest economies. The country is also one of the world’s most ethnically and religiously diverse — over 500 languages are spoken, the population divides roughly evenly between Christianity (~50%, mostly south) and Islam (~50%, mostly north), and major ethnic groups (Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo) each have distinct cultural traditions.
Lagos — Nigeria’s largest city with about 22 million people in the metropolitan area — is one of the world’s largest urban agglomerations and Africa’s financial centre. Nollywood — Nigeria’s film industry — produces approximately 2,500 films per year, making it the world’s second-largest film industry by output (behind India’s Bollywood and ahead of Hollywood). Nigerian musicians (Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Davido, Rema) have led the global rise of Afrobeats in the 2020s.
The country gained independence from Britain in 1960 and has navigated repeated military coups, the catastrophic Biafran War (1967-1970, ~1-3 million deaths), and persistent political and security challenges including the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and farmer-herder conflicts in the central belt. President Bola Tinubu has governed since May 2023.
A Brief History
The territory hosted multiple major civilisations including the Nok (sophisticated terracotta sculptures from 1500 BC), the Kingdom of Benin (12th-19th centuries, famous for the Benin Bronzes), the Hausa city-states, the Sokoto Caliphate (early 19th century, the largest sub-Saharan African Islamic empire), and the Yoruba kingdoms of Oyo and Ife.
British colonisation consolidated through the late 19th century. The amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914 created the colonial territory of Nigeria.
Independence in 1960 was followed by political instability, coups in 1966, the Biafran War (1967-1970), and several decades of military rule (with brief civilian interludes). Democratic governance returned in 1999.
Subsequent presidents — Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu — have presided over economic growth alongside continued security challenges. The #EndSARS protests of October 2020 were a youth-led movement against police brutality.
Geography and Climate
Nigeria covers 923,768 km² — about twice the size of California — with diverse climate from tropical rainforest in the south to savanna in the centre to Sahel in the north.
Culture, Language and Religion
English is the official language; Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo are the major regional languages. Approximately 50% Christian, 50% Muslim (the boundary roughly follows the geographic centre of the country).
The Economy
Nigeria has the fourth-largest economy in Africa (~$365 billion GDP in 2024) — though the rebased 2014 figures briefly made it Africa’s largest. Key sectors: oil and gas (Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest oil producers), agriculture (yam, cassava, sorghum, rice), services, manufacturing, technology (Lagos has Africa’s largest tech ecosystem alongside Nairobi).
Cuisine
Nigerian cuisine is among Africa’s most internationally exported:
- Jollof rice — the contested rice dish at the heart of West African cuisine debates
- Fufu — pounded yam or cassava with soup
- Egusi soup — melon seed and leafy greens stew
- Suya — grilled spiced beef skewers
- Pounded yam — staple side
- Akara — bean fritters
Nature and UNESCO Sites
Nigeria has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Sukur Cultural Landscape and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Travel Guide
Entry
Most Western nationalities require a visa, available online or in advance.
Best Seasons
November-February is the dry harmattan season, generally best for travel.
Budget
Mid-range $80-$150 per day in major cities.
Surprising Facts
- Nollywood produces around 2,500 films per year — the world’s second-largest film industry by output, ahead of Hollywood.3
- Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 400 million by 2050, becoming the world’s third-largest population.4
- Lagos has one of the world’s youngest populations — median age around 18, with vast cultural and economic implications.4
- The Benin Bronzes — looted by British forces in 1897 — represent one of the most famous restitution debates in international cultural heritage; some have been returned by European museums in recent years.3
- Burna Boy and Wizkid were the first Nigerian musicians to perform at major US arenas — both broke through in the late 2010s and have helped globalise Afrobeats.3
- Nigeria has the largest Christian population in Africa (about 105 million) and the largest Muslim population in sub-Saharan Africa (about 100 million).4
Sources and References
See the list of cited sources in the page frontmatter.