There are many fun, important and interesting facts about Nigeria you need to know in case you are still yet to know them. When you go through the lists found in this post, you will agree that they are quite educative, informative, and important for you to know. Once you read to the end of this post, you might discover some interesting facts about Nigeria you might never know before. They are over one hundred listed in this article.

Nigeria is a country located in West Africa, having boundaries with Niger and the Chad Republic in the north, Cameroon on the east, Benin Republic on the western border, and the Atlantic Ocean at the southern end.

Nigeria remains the most populous country in Africa and the 7th country with the highest population in the world. Geographically, Nigerian terrain changes from the high Savanna-covered Plateaus in the north, to the oil-rich Nigeria Delta in the southern part, down to the rain forest belt regions towards the coast.

Also read: Nigeria Coat of Arms Logo, Feature, and Full Meanings

Regardless of the insecurity issues and some political instabilities facing the nation, there are many interesting facts about Nigeria that are worth-knowing, even as a citizen or an individual wants to know more about the country. Nigerian Fact brings to you some interesting Nigeria fun facts you should know, as listed below.

Interesting Facts about Nigeria that are Fun, and Important for You to Know

Major Facts about Nigeria

  • Population: 200.96 million (2019 estimate), 7th highest in the World.
  • Density:  212.04 persons/ square kilometer
  • Growth rate: 2.60%
  • Capital: Abuja (since December 12, 1991)
  • Official language: English
  • Major languages: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo
  • Largest state: Niger
  • Smallest state: Lagos state
  • Largest city: Lagos city
  • Most populous state: Lagos
  • Currency: Naira (1 Naira = 100 kobo)
  • Government: Federal presidential republic
  • Longest river: Niger – 4180km (1175 km within Nigeria)
  • Independence: October 1, 1960
  • Climate: Tropical
  • Political divisions: 6 geo-political zones and 36 states

100 Fun, Important, and Interesting Facts about Nigeria You Might Never Know About

  1. Nigeria is officially called the Federal Republic of Nigeria
  2. Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world with over 170 million people
  3. The country is also the 7th most populous nation in the world.
  4. There are 521 languages in the world
  5. The first foreigners to explore the area that will be called Nigeria were the Portuguese in 1472.
  6. The richest man in Africa is a Nigeria. His name is Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Group.
  7. The richest black woman in the world is a Nigerian – Folorunso Alakija
  8. The Yoruba tribe of Nigeria has the highest rate of twinning in the world
  9. Nigeria was colonized by the British
  10. Nigeria was formed when Frederick Lugard become of the Governor of the region.
  11. The Nigerian Currency – Naira was introduced in 1959
  12. The Cocoa House in Ibadan was once the tallest building in Africa. It was built in 1965
  13. The Northern Part of Nigeria is four times the size of the south with a land mass of 719000 sq. km
  14. In terms of size, Nigeria is the 10th largest in SubSaharan Africa
  15. 70% of the Nigerian population are involved in Agriculture
  16. The urban population is 18.1% of the total population
  17. Nigeria has more muslims than the Saudi Arabia
  18. The largest annual Christian gathering in Africa is hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God and it is called the Holy Ghost Convention.
  19. Nigerian immigrants in the U.S are one of the most educated
  20. In 1984, you didn’t need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom as a Nigerian
  21. At some point in the country’s history, the North was the most literate part of Nigeria with over 25 000 Quranic Schools and over 250 000 pupils
  22. The largest river in West Africa is the River Niger with a span of 4180km.
  23. The Niger Delta is the second largest delta in the world
  24. The state of Taraba speaks more languages than at least 30 countries in the world
  25. Nigeria is a member of the British Commonwealth and the African Union
  26. The National Youth Service Corps began in 1973
  27. The Nigerian National Flag was designed in 1959 by Taiwo Akinkunmi
  28. Based on archaelogical discoveries, the Nok Civilization which is around 500 to 2000BC is the earliest known civilization in Nigeria.
  29. The Nigerian Movie Industry also known as Nollywood is the second largest producer of movies in the world after Bollywood.
  30. About 200 Nollywood Movies are produced every single week
  31. The Igbos found in the South Eastern part are the most industrious of the tribes in the country
  32. The Igbos make up 18% of the ethnic groups in Nigeria
  33. The Hausa-Fulanis make up 29% while the Yoruba make up to 21%
  34. Cross River State in Nigeria has the largest diversity of butterflies in the world
  35. The state with the highest number of universities in Nigeria is Ogun State with a total of 9 registered universities.
  36. There are 152 accredited universities in Nigeria
  37. The Third Mainland Bridge was the longest bridge in Nigeria until 1996 when the October 6 Bridge was built in Cairo
  38. Nigeria has over 500 ethnic groups.
  39. The most prominent ethnic groups are the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa
  40. Nigeria attained independence on the 1st of October in 1960
  41. Nigeria became a republic on the 1st of October 1963
  42. In 1976, 75 kobo exchanged to one British pound and 60 kobo to one US dollar.
  43. The first building in Nigeria was built in Badagry in 1845
  44. The total number of languages in Nigeria comprises 7% of the total languages in the world.
  45. The walls of Benin are the longest ancient works in the world enclosing 500 communities at a distance of 6500 sq.km
  46. The oldest known boat in Nigeria called the Dufuna boat was discovered in 1987
  47. The indigobird is unique to only the Jos Plateau. It is found no where else in the world,
  48. The anambra waxbill bird is found only in Southern Nigeria and nowhere else in the world.
  49. Ile Ife in Osun State was paved as early as 1000AD
  50. There are over 4715 different plant species in Nigeria
  51. Nigeria has the 10th largest crude oil reserve in the world
  52. The first and only Nigerian Nobel Laureate is Professor Wole Soyinka
  53. Agbani Darego, a Nigerian University undergraduate was the first African to win the Miss World Beauty Pageant
  54. Nigeria was the first African country to win the Gold medal in the Olympics Football Event.
  55. Nigeria took its first loan from the World Bank in 1977
  56. Nigeria is currently the biggest economy in Africa
  57. The name Nigeria is derived from West Africa’s longest river – River Niger
  58. Nigeria is said to have the highest paid legislators in the world
  59. Nigerians are football lovers and the Nigerian Football team is called the Super Eagles
  60. In 1851, Kano made 10 million sandal pairs and 5 million hides for export every year
  61. The 13000 year old Iwo-Eleru cave skull is the oldest human fossil archive in West Africa and has been said to have over 140 000 year old features.
  62. The Nigerian Government was converted from his parliamentary system to a presidential system of government by the Obasanjo civilian regime.
  63. With the current presidential system, Nigeria has had 7 years of Northern rule and 11 years of Southern rule.
  64. President Gowon split Nigeria into 12 states in 1967.
  65. Nigeria has one of the highest number of coups in Africa with 6 coups
  66. The civil war in Nigeria broke out between July 1967 to January 1970
  67. The war was preceded by a coup in 1966
  68. The oldest water works in Africa is found in Nigeria
  69. Nigeria is the fifth fastest growing internet population in Nigeria
  70. The first black African to win gold at the Commonwealth games was Emmanuel Ifeajuna
  71. Nigeria has over 1 million applicants to University every year.
  72. Nigeria is home to the single largest monument in Africa (Sungbo’s Eredo), which is also the largest city of the medieval world.
  73. The Southern and Northern Nigerian Protectorates was amalgamated in1914
  74. Nigeria is referred to as the Giant of Africa due to their population and economy
  75. Nigeria is located in the Western part of Africa with a total area of 923,768 km2
  76. As a result, Nigeria is the 32nd largest country in the world
  77. The main rivers in Nigeria are the river Niger and river Benue
  78. The 2 major rivers meet at Lokoja and they empty into the Nigeri Delta
  79. The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi at 7936 ft
  80. There are 36 states in Nigeria with one Federal Capital Territory
  81. There are eight cities with a population of over 1 million people
  82. Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and Africa
  83. Lagos state has a population of over 15 million people
  84. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of crude oil in the world
  85. The country is the 8th largest exporter of crude oil in the world
  86. Petroleum provides 80% of government earning
  87. One in four Africans is a Nigeria
  88. The official language of Nigeria is English due to the colonization by the British.
  89. Nigeria is infamous for advanced fee fraud (419) which is a form of bank fraud.
  90. The current capital of Nigeria is Abuja
  91. The capital became the Federal Capital Territory in December 12, 1991
  92. The current president of Nigeria is Muhammad Buhari
  93. Lagos is the most industrialized state in the country
  94. Nigeria shares border with four other African countries: Chad, Niger, Benin, Cameroon
  95. The major system of transportation in the country is the road transportation system,
  96. The Pidgin English is the popular Lingua Franca in the country
  97. The life expectancy in Nigeria is about 52.62 years
  98. Nigeria was the first African country to eradicate the Ebola threat in 2015
  99. 68% of the Nigerian populace are literate
  100. Transparency International ranks Nigeria has the 144th least corrupt out of 176 countries on its list.