Nigeria

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Africa’s most populous country attained independence from Britain in 1960. Adoption of a new constitution in 1999 completed a peaceful transition to civilian rule. The government continues to face the daunting task of institutionalizing democracy and reforming a petroleum-based economy despite widespread corruption and crime.

Geography

Area
total : 923,768 sq km
land: 910,768 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km

Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north

Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land

People and Society

Population
total: 236,747,130 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9% (2018 est.)

Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages

Religions
Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other 0.6% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
2.52% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
federal presidential republic

Capital
name: Abuja

Executive branch
chief of state: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)
head of government: President Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (since 29 May 2023)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Samson Sunday ITEGBOJE (since 22 October 2024)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard MILLS, Jr. (since 25 July 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
largest African market economy; enormous but mostly lower middle income labor force; major oil exporter; key telecommunications and finance industries; susceptible to energy prices; regional leader in critical infrastructure; primarily agrarian employment

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.318 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.275 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.239 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$5,700 (2024 est.)
$5,600 (2023 est.)
$5,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$57.536 billion (2024 est.)
$60.261 billion (2023 est.)
$69.091 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 10%, Spain 9%, France 8%, Netherlands 7%, India 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, gold, fertilizers, cocoa beans (2023)

Imports
$57.73 billion (2024 est.)
$65.423 billion (2023 est.)
$77.049 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 26%, Singapore 14%, Belgium 8%, India 6%, USA 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, tanks and armored vehicles, wheat, plastics, cars (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.560, ranking it 164th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 116th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.548. (more information)