Change they say is constant, however, we cannot erase the place of history. There are interesting facts about Nigeria that you would love to learn, whether as a native, immigrant, tourist, or visitor.
These facts were not taught in high school or college. There you won’t be blamed.
It is for this reason I made this post, I hope you learn more about the country – Nigeria.
Wouldn’t it be great to know that Nigeria has the highest Muslim population in West Africa?
And that if Lagos were a country, it would be the third biggest economy in Africa with its GDP of about $136 billion.
31 facts about Nigeria
Here are some interesting facts you’d be delighted to know. See you at the end of the post.
1. Prisons Service now known as Nigeria Correctional Service
The Nigerian Prisons Service experienced a change of name in 2019 when President Buhari signed the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 into law.
Highlight of this change will see prisoners on capital punishment (death sentence) have their sentence reduced to life imprisonment by the Chief Judge.
That is if they are not executed within 10 years
2. Member of Islamic cooperation
This happened when the country’s then head of state, General Ibraham Babangida registered Nigeria as a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This made Nigeria the 45th member of OIC.
3. Member of Islamic Coalition against Terrorism
In 2016, President Buhari revealed that Nigeria is now a member of the Islamic Coalition against Terrorism.
A group made up of mainly Islamic countries with the goal of fighting International terrorism.
4. 43 federal universities
Although the country is a federation of 36 states and a Federal Capital Territory, there are 43 federal universities in Nigeria.
These universities are recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Therefore, there is at least one federal university in every state of the republic.
5. Most populous country in Africa
Nigeria has a population of 205 million people according to Worldometers.
That makes Nigeria the largest country in Africa by population.
6. 7th largest country in the world by population
The current world population stands at 7.7 billion.
Its interesting to know that 2.64% of that population live in Nigeria.
That is nearly 206 million people, making Nigeria the 7th largest country in the world by population.
7. Home to Africa’s richest man
Its an open secret that the richest man in Africa is Aliko Dangote. But what many people may not know is that he is a Nigerian and resides in Nigeria.
With a mouth-watering net worth of $10 billion according to Forbes, the Chairman and founder of the Dangote Group is the wealthiest man in Africa.
Dangote’s business line is cement, salt, sugar and now oil refinery.
8. Borders 3 countries
Nigeria borders Cameroon, Niger, and Chad.
Nigeria is bordered to the South by Cameroon (primarily through Cross River State);
To the West by Republic of Benin (primarily through Lagos);
To the North by Niger Republic (primarily through Yobe State) and
To the Northeast by Chad (primarily through Borno State).
9. Same sex marriage is illegal
Former president Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act in January 2014.
What this mean is, indulging in same sex marriage (gay), or other accomplishes attracts 14 years jail-term for offenders.
10. Has no national airline
With its status as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria currently has no national airline.
Though the country once operated a national carrier, Nigeria Airways. The airline operated until 2003 and folded.
In a bid to revive the airline, there was a collaboration with Virgin Group which gave birth to Virgin Nigeria Airways.
That arrangement saw Virgin Atlantic own 51%, and Nigerian investors owned 49% and operated till September 2009.
The airline was was re-branded to Nigerian Eagle Airlines because Virgin Group pulled out due to a misunderstanding with the Nigerian government at the time.
In 2010, the airline was again re-branded to Air Nigeria which operated until September, 2012.
Since then Air Peace has taken the responsibility of performing many national functions in the Nigerian airspace.
11. Abuja was not the first capital
The first capital of Nigeria was Calabar during the British Colonial rule before it was moved to Lagos in 1906.
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Lagos served as the political, administrative, and economic capital of Nigeria until 1991.
The capital was relocated to Abuja by former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
Though the decision to move the capital was reached in 1976 during the military regime of Murtala Mohammed.
12. Ibrahim Babangida was the first to live in Aso Villa
On relocation of the country’s capital, former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida became the first head of state to stay in the presidential villa in December, 1991.
13. 19th easiest place for business in Africa
When it comes to ease of doing business, Nigeria rank 19th in Africa and 131st in world according to the World Bank 2020 Doing Business Report.
The annual ranking of the World Bank assesses countries based on the ease of doing business putting several factor into consideration.
Such as process of starting a business, taxes, property registration among others. Nigeria ranked 19.
14. Have 5 international airports
Nigeria has five functional international airports operated by the FAAN.
They are;
i. Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos;
ii. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja
iii. Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu
iv. Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and
v. Portharcourt International Airport.
Not so much for Africa’s biggest economy, is it? Use the comment section below the post.
15. Home to Africa’s 5th busiest Airport
The Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos is currently the 5th busiest airport in Africa by scheduled daily departures.
16. First bank is Nigeria’s oldest bank
Established by Sir Alfred Jones in 1894, First Bank of Nigeria is the country’s oldest bank.
The bank has its headquarters in Lagos, though it started operations with the name; Bank of British West Africa.
17. Has three major languages
Though English is the official spoken language in Nigeria, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba are the three biggest ethic groups.
And widest spoken indigenous languages in Nigeria, out of the over 250 ethnic groups in the country.
While the Eastern region is home to the Igbos, the Northern region is home to the Hausas and Yorubas call the Western region home.
18. Home to the largest church auditorium in the world
Nigeria is home to some of the largest church congregations in the world.
The 100,000 sitting-capacity Glory Dome sanctuary of Dunamis International Centre, Abuja is currently the largest church auditorium in the world by sitting capacity.
Other mega church buildings in Nigeria such as the Faith Tabernacle 50,000 sitting-capacity of the Living Faith Church otherwise known as Winners Chapel are among the world’s largest church auditorium.
19. Buhari is the 15th president
President Muhammadu Buhari is the current and 15th president of Nigeria since the country assumed a republic status in 1963.
However, Nigeria was on military rule for many years.
Moreover, Nigeria became a democracy in 1999 with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo democratically elected as president.
Followed by Alhaju Umaru Musa Yar’adua, then Goodluck Jonathan, and
Presently Buhari as the 5th democratically elected president, and 15th president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
20. Oil was discovered in 1956
Crude Oil was first discovered in Nigeria at Oloibiri, Bayelsa state in the year.
Oil has since become Nigeria’s number one export commodity, making up up to 90% of the nation’s revenue.
21. 11th largest oil producing country
According to data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC), Nigeria produces about 2.5 million barrel of crude oil per day.
This figure makes Nigeria the 11th largest oil producing country in the world after USA, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Canada, China, Iraq, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, and Kuwait.
22. Accra is the prime international destination of Nigerians
The number one international destination for Nigerians is Accra, Ghana.
That is with over 400 passenger flights departing Nigeria to Kotoka International Airport, Accra monthly.
23. UI is not the first higher institution in Nigeria
Hang on.
The Yaba College (Yabatech) which was established in 1932, is the first tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Yaba College was existing as the only higher institution in the country before the establishment of the University College Ibadan (present day UI) in 1948 (16 years later, that is 1948).
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24. UI is not the first University in Nigeria
Getting more interesting, I guess.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is the first university in Nigeria. UNN was established as an independent university in 1960 and began awarding degrees in 1964.
On the other hand, University of Ibadan (UI) was founded in 1948 as a College of the University of London. Because of this, degrees of the University of London were awarded to graduating students till it became an independent university in 1963.
That was when UI began awarding its own degrees in 1967, by which time UNN already had three set of graduates.
So talking about the first and the best, you can use the comment section below.
25. Zamfara is the youngest state
The last created state in Nigeria is Zamfara state in October, 1996 by the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Interestingly, Zamfara state is the 7th largest state in Nigeria by land area, occupying 39,762 kilometre square.
26. Lagos is the smallest state
I’m sure its getting more interesting.
Nigeria’s economic capital, Lagos happens to be the smallest state in Nigeria by land area with 3,345 kilometre square.
Surprisingly, Lagos is the most populous state in Nigeria.
How it accommodates a staggering population of nearly 18 million people is a case for another. Though, that explains why Lagos is congested.
27. Niger is the largest state in Nigeria
In contrast to Lagos, Niger state takes its place as the largest state in Nigeria by area with 76,362 kilometre square.
Niger borders Abuja, Kwara, Kaduna state.
28. Aso Villa is most protected state house in Africa
Going by Nigeria’s military power, its no surprise that the presidential state house, otherwise known as Aso Rock Villa is the most guarded state house in Africa.
The villa is protected by the Presidential Guard Brigade of the Nigerian army, whom are also responsible for the safety of the president.
29. 6th largest Christian population in the world
Nigeria has the 6th largest Christian population in the world according to a study carried out by Pew Research Centre in 2015.
That report represents 48.1% of the country’s population.
The study also projected the Giant of Africa to be 3rd largest Christian population in the world by 2060.
30. 5th largest Muslim population in the world
According to the study by Pew Research Centre, Nigeria is the 5th largest Muslim population in the world.
That represents 50% of the country’s population.
31. Known as giant of Africa
Nigeria is fondly called the giant of Africa.
This is perhaps due to the country’s abundant natural resources, large population, large economy, security apparatus, rich agriculture, and political influence in Africa.
The committee of African countries seldom reach a policy decision without the contribution of Nigeria. And without the pendulum swinging in Nigeria’s favor.
I hope your journey through this post was worthwhile?
Is there a fact you’d like to be added to this list? Please let me know in the comments section below this post.
I hope you learned from these facts about Nigeria?
Please share it with your friends on social media. I appreciate you.
Maxwell is a Dietitian with passion for showing people hope. With nearly a decade experience helping people make key decisions on education and career, you can find him almost everywhere on this site. From answering admission and scholarship questions to creating tutorials and helping others live their best lives though nutrition. Connect with me on Twitter.