FACTS AT A GLANCE

36 States of Nigeria

Government type: Republic
Official Name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

• Nigeria is a federal republic. It is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Area: 356,669 sq. miles (923,768 sq. km); Nigeria is the 32nd largest country in the world.

• Land area: 351,649 mi.² (910,768 km²)
• Water area: 5,019 mi.² (13,000 km²)
• Highest point: Chappal Waddi, 7,936 feet (2,419 m)
• Lowest point: Atlantic ocean, 0 ft (0 m)
• Longest river: Niger River, 2,597 miles (4,180 km)
• Coastline: 530 miles (853 km)

States: the country is divided into 36 States, plus the area of the capital city, which is called the Federal Capital Territory.

• Each of these 36 states has its own radio station.

Bordering Countries: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin
Currency / Unit of Money: Naira; the naira is divided into 100 kobo.
Capital City: Abuja
Important Cities: Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt
Population: 213,579,166

• Urban population: 48% (107,106,007) (2020)
• Rural population: 52% (99,033,580 ) (2020)
• Population of largest city: 14,862,000 (2021) (Lagos)
• Average children per childbearing woman: 5.32 children (2019)
• Average household size: 5 people
• Life expectancy at birth: 54.69 years (2019) 
• Children dying before the age of 5 (Under 5 Mortality Rate): 12.5%
• Ethnic Composition: More than 250 ethnic groups, including: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Economy

• Contributions to GDP:
  • Agriculture: 17.7%
  • industry: 52.5%
  • services: 29.8% 
• Labor force: 
  • Agriculture: 70%
  • industry: 10%
  • services: 20% 
• Female labor force: 66.2% of total
• Unemployment rate: 5%

Environment and Wildlife

• Proportion of area protected: 3.6%
• Biodiversity (known species): 5,904
• Threatened species: 204

Farm Products: cocoa beans, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, taro, yams, rubber, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, fish
Farming

• Farmland: 37% of total land area
• Main agricultural exports: cocoa beans, rubber, cocoa butter
• Main agricultural imports: wheat, rice, powdered milk
• Average daily calorie intake: 2,700 calories

Government Office: the government offices of Nigeria's national assembly are in a building in Abuja. The national assembly makes the laws in Nigeria.

• The president is the head of the government.

Languages: Nigeria is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 527 native languages spoken.

• Regional:  Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Fulani, Fulfulde, Ijaw, Edo, Ibibio, Kupa, Kanuri, Tiv, Nupe, Anaang, Berom, Ebira, Igala, Gbagyi, Idoma, Izii, Isekiri, Isoko, Pidgin, and others.
• English (Official)

Religions (2018): Muslim (53.5%), Roman Catholicism (10.6%), Other Christian (35.3%), traditional beliefs (0.6%)
Major Industries: farming, fishing, mining, services
Natural Resources: oil, natural gas, coal, tin, iron ore, timber
Manufactured Products: wood products, rubber, paper, leather, cement, clothing, fertilizers, chemicals, steel, food products, ceramics
National Holiday: Independence Day (October 1)
Each year, on October 1st, Nigerians remember the day their country gained independence from Britain, in 1960. On this day, the president makes a speech, and people all over Nigeria join in parade and celebration to honor this event.
National Parks: Nigeria has 8 national parks. These parks help protect the country's land and the Animals. The parks also attract tourists.

• African elephants are one of many wild animals to be seen in the young carry National Park in eastern Nigeria.

School

• Children in elementary school: Male 72%, Female 64%
• Children in secondary school: Male 29%, Female 25% 
• Literacy rate (over 15 years): 68%

Tourist Arrivals (millions)

• 1995 0.7
• 2000 0.8
• 2005 1.0

Transportation

• Total Roads: 120,049 miles (193,200 km)
• Paved Roads: 18,007 miles (29,980 km)
• Railroads: 2,178 miles 3,505 km)
• Major Airports: 18
• Major Ports: 3

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Capital City: Abuja