Country Profile
About Nigeria
- Name: The Federal Republic of NigeriaCapital: Abuja (FCT)
Population: 180 million (December 2017)
Area: 923,766 sq. km
Major languages: Pidgin English (unofficial), English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa
Major Religions: Christianity, Islam, Indigenous beliefs
Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo
GDP per capita (October 2017) US $2,092 [source: IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO)]
Internet domain: .ng
International dialing code: + 234
THE NATIONAL FLAG
Nigeria’s flag is a rectangular strip divided into three equal parts: green, white and green. The green depicts the country’s land and agricultural potential while the white depicts peace.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: "Arise, O Compatriots" is the national anthem of Nigeria. It was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee.[1] The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase. Lyrics National Anthem You Tube
GOVERNMENT: Three-tier structure, i.e. a Federal Government, 36 State Governments, 774 Local Government Administrations
MAIN COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CITIES: Lagos, Onitsha, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Aba, Maiduguri, Jos, Kaduna, Warri, Benin, Nnewi
THE NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS
The RED EAGLE depicts Nigeria’s strength; the BLACK SHIELD signifies the abundant qualities of the land in agricultural, mineral and solid resources; the Y-SILVER WAVY BAND represents the two major rivers in the country – Niger and Benue; the TWO WHITE HORSES represent dignity; the BASE upon which the shield rests is COCTUS SPECTABILIS – a wild flower grown in may parts of the country; underneath is the MOTTO: Unity & Faith, Peace & Progress.
A melting pot of ethnicities, religions and cultures, Nigeria ranks among the foremost of Africa’s political and economic power blocks. Since gaining political Independence in 1960, Nigeria has in her more than 50 years of nationhood made great impact on the world stage and her citizens have achieved excellence in all fields of human endeavor.
Located in West Africa, just north of the equator, the Federal Republic of Nigeria stretches along 923.766 square kilometers of land.
Nigeria has a rich and diverse cultural history and more than 250 ethnic groups with their own language and heritage. English is the official language, inherited from the days of British colonization. The country declared its independence on 1 st October 1960.
The Republic has Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government, all based in Abuja, the modern capital of the country.
With an oil-based economy and vast energy resources in the Niger Delta, Nigeria aims to generate additional revenue by developing her domestic gas market and creating new industries to improve the standard of living for her people by year 2020. Her landscapes and scenic contrasts range from tropical forests to arid plains, tropical and subtropical temperatures. Nigeria has a great potential to develop her tourism industry.
As concerns its Foreign Relations, Nigeria plays a prominent role in the African affairs. Her foreign policy revolves primarily around Africa, supporting political and economic cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution. In alliance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria’s long-term goal is to harmonize tariff and introduce a customs union in West Africa. Nigeria is active in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which seeks to improve economic conditions by eliminating trade barriers to exports and attracting investment and development aid.
The country has close ties to the UK and a good relationship with the US. It aims to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Nigeria’s flag is a rectangular strip divided into three equal parts: green, white and green. The green depicts the country’s land and agricultural potential while the white depicts peace.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: "Arise, O Compatriots" is the national anthem of Nigeria. It was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee.[1] The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase. Lyrics National Anthem You Tube
GOVERNMENT: Three-tier structure, i.e. a Federal Government, 36 State Governments, 774 Local Government Administrations
MAIN COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL CITIES: Lagos, Onitsha, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Aba, Maiduguri, Jos, Kaduna, Warri, Benin, Nnewi
THE NATIONAL COAT OF ARMS
The RED EAGLE depicts Nigeria’s strength; the BLACK SHIELD signifies the abundant qualities of the land in agricultural, mineral and solid resources; the Y-SILVER WAVY BAND represents the two major rivers in the country – Niger and Benue; the TWO WHITE HORSES represent dignity; the BASE upon which the shield rests is COCTUS SPECTABILIS – a wild flower grown in may parts of the country; underneath is the MOTTO: Unity & Faith, Peace & Progress.
A melting pot of ethnicities, religions and cultures, Nigeria ranks among the foremost of Africa’s political and economic power blocks. Since gaining political Independence in 1960, Nigeria has in her more than 50 years of nationhood made great impact on the world stage and her citizens have achieved excellence in all fields of human endeavor.
Located in West Africa, just north of the equator, the Federal Republic of Nigeria stretches along 923.766 square kilometers of land.
Nigeria has a rich and diverse cultural history and more than 250 ethnic groups with their own language and heritage. English is the official language, inherited from the days of British colonization. The country declared its independence on 1 st October 1960.
The Republic has Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government, all based in Abuja, the modern capital of the country.
With an oil-based economy and vast energy resources in the Niger Delta, Nigeria aims to generate additional revenue by developing her domestic gas market and creating new industries to improve the standard of living for her people by year 2020. Her landscapes and scenic contrasts range from tropical forests to arid plains, tropical and subtropical temperatures. Nigeria has a great potential to develop her tourism industry.
As concerns its Foreign Relations, Nigeria plays a prominent role in the African affairs. Her foreign policy revolves primarily around Africa, supporting political and economic cooperation and peaceful dispute resolution. In alliance with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria’s long-term goal is to harmonize tariff and introduce a customs union in West Africa. Nigeria is active in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which seeks to improve economic conditions by eliminating trade barriers to exports and attracting investment and development aid.
The country has close ties to the UK and a good relationship with the US. It aims to gain a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.