Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising thirty six states and one Federal Capital Territory. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, in the south. Temperatures are hot country-wide year-round.

Nigeria has an extensive and an eventful history, and archaeological evidence shows that human habitation of the area dates back to at least 9000 BC.

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Unfortunately the British system of colonialism had done nothing to unify Nigeria or prepare it for independence. From the outset, Nigeria’s ethnic, regional, and religious tensions were magnified by the disparities in economic and educational development. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was adopted on October 1, 1963. At the same time, Nigeria became a member of the Commonwealth.

Nigeria is governed under the constitution of 1999. The executive branch is headed by a president, who is popularly elected for a four-year term.

Abuja is the capital and Lagos is the largest city.

Nigeria retains membership in the Non alignment movement and in late November 2006 organized an Africa-South America Summit in Abuja to promote what some attendees termed “South-South” linkages on a variety of fronts

The current president of Nigeria is Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who was elected in 2007.

Nigeria is bigger than Texas and has a total area of 923,768 sq.km.

It is the most populous country in Africa and eighth most populous country in the world with a population of over 140 million. The country has more than 250 ethnic groups, with varying languages and customs, all rubbing shoulder to shoulder in this hectic, colorful and volatile republic. Nigeria has a variety of religions, including Islam, Christianity, Orisha, and Animism, which tend to vary regionally. English is the official language.

The currency unit of Nigeria is the Nigerian Naira

Football is Nigeria’s national sport. Nigeria is currently First-ranked football nation in Africa and the 19th highest in the world.

Nigeria has been reorganizing its health system and a comprehensive approach strategy was extended to all areas of health care, with subsequent improvement in the health care indicators and improvement in health care efficiency and cost. Education is provided free by the government to bring upon considerable improvements in the literacy rate which is currently 68%. Nigerian cuisine is known for its richness and variety.

Nigeria has a rich literary history, and Nigerians have authored many influential works of post colonial literature in the English Language.

Nigeria has the second largest newspaper market in Africa.

Nigeria has been called “the heart of African music because of its role in the development of West African highlife and palm-wine music.

Nigerian economy is agriculture based with more than 50% of the population engaged in farming. The chief crops are sorghum, millet, soybeans, peanuts, cotton, corn, yams, rice, palm products, cacao, and rubber. There seems to be a huge potential for bringing a significant boost in the agricultural sector through latest technical know how.

Petroleum, the leading mineral produced in Nigeria, plays a large role in the Nigerian economy, accounting for 40% of the GDP. It is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter

Industry in Nigeria includes the processing of agricultural goods and the manufacture of textiles, footwear, soap, tobacco products, paper, cement, fertilizer, chemicals, and steel. Mineral resources that are present in Nigeria but not yet fully exploited are coal and tin. It also has a booming leather and textile industry, with industries located in Kano, Abeokuta, Onitsha, and Lagos. The leading trade partners are Great Britain, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, and France.

According to a scientific survey, Nigerians are reported to be the happiest people and the report reiterates the fact that the country’s family life and culture are more important than its problems and material wealth in determining happiness. The country is listed among the “Next Eleven” economies.

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