| Federal Republic of Nigeria
Location western
Africa
Bordered By Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon
Total Area 356,669 sq
mi (923,768 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 800 mi (1,287 km)
Greatest Distance N-S 650 mi (1,046 km)
Coastline 530 mi (853 km)
Highest Point Chappal Waddi; 7,936 ft
(2,419 m)
Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean; 0 ft
(0 m)
Natural Resources natural gas,
petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead,
zinc, arable land
Nationality Nigerian
Population (July 2015 est) 181,562,056
Largest Cities Lagos, Ibadan
Ethnic Groups Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba,
Igbo (Ibo), Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, other indigenous
groups
Religions Muslim, Christian, indigenous
Languages English (official), Hausa,
Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani
Capital Abuja
Form of Government Federal Republic
Present Constitution Adopted May 5, 1999
Chief of State and Head of Government President
Muhammadu Buhari (since May 29, 2015)
Cabinet Federal Executive Council
Legislature bicameral National Assembly
Judiciary Supreme Court
Administrative Divisions 36 states, 1 territory
Currency Naira (NGN)
Per Capita Income $6,000
Industries crude oil, coal, tin,
columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides
and skins, textiles, cement and other construction
materials, food products, footwear, chemicals,
fertilizer, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship
construction and repair
Agricultural Products cocoa, peanuts,
palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams;
rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fish
Export Commodities petroleum and
petroleum products, cocoa, rubber
Import Commodities machinery, chemicals,
transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live
animals
Independence From Great Britain
Achieved October 1, 1960
National Holiday Independence Day,
October 1
Flag The flag of Nigeria was adopted on
October 1, 1960, the day that Nigeria gained independence
from Great Britain. In 1959, the design was submitted
into the national competition by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi,
a student who was studying in England at the time. The
original flag design featured a red sun on the white
stripe. The flag was chosen as the winner, but the sun
was removed. The green symbolizes agriculture and the
lush forests of Nigeria, while the white stripe
represents peace and unity.
SEE ALSO
Benin
Niger
Chad
Cameroon
Great Britain
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