Nigeria is a country located in West Africa. It is the most populous country on the African continent and the seventh-most populous in the world. Nigeria is home to over 200 million people and is known for its diverse culture, music, and cuisine.

The official language of Nigeria is English, although there are over 500 other languages spoken in the country. The country has a diverse religious population with Islam and Christianity being the largest religions.

Nigeria is an oil-rich country, and its economy is largely dependent on the oil and gas industry. However, the country is also rich in other natural resources, including tin, limestone, coal, gold, and iron ore. Agriculture is also an important sector of the economy, with Nigeria being one of the largest producers of cassava, yams, and cocoa in the world.

Tourism is a growing industry in Nigeria, with attractions such as the Yankari National Park, Obudu Mountain Resort, and Lagos beaches drawing visitors from all over the world. The country is also known for its music, with Nigerian musicians such as Fela Kuti, Wizkid, and Burna Boy gaining international recognition.

Nigeria has faced some challenges, including corruption, insecurity, and ethnic tensions, but it remains a vibrant and culturally rich country with a lot to offer visitors.

Telephone Code
234

Local Emergency Phone
199

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 30 September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice for a Yellow Fever outbreak in Nigeria; a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria began in September 2017; the outbreak has now spread throughout the country with the Nigerian Ministry of Health reporting cases of the disease in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu); the CDC recommends travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there; those never vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Nigeria during the outbreak. Widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Nigeria; as of 30 March 2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 255,341 cases of COVID-19 or 123.86 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 3,142 cumulative deaths or a rate of 1.52 cumulative death per 100,000 population; as of 29 March 2022, 9.95% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Nigeria is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

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

Currency (Code)
Nairas (NGN)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C, F

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

Major Religions
Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Abudja (includes Millennium Park, Zuma Rock, Arts & Crafts Village); Nana Living History Museum; Ancient Nok Settlement; New Afrika Shrine; Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

Major Sports
Soccer, boxing, rugby, track and field, basketball

Cultural Practices
Using the left hand for eating or greeting is considered unclean; use the right hand instead.

Tipping Guidelines
Service charges are added in many restaurants, but if not, a 10% tip is customary. Negotiate taxi fares before embarking on a journey. Tipping is not necessary.

Souvenirs
Tribal ceremonial masks, carved idols, and weapons; leather goods, cane furniture, brass and bronze carvings and jewelry, woven baskets, Aso oke fabric items

Traditional Cuisine
Jollof rice — rice cooked in a sauce made with tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, salt, pepper, coconut milk, spices such as nutmeg or partminger (basil leaf); meat, fish, vegetables, or even Roiboos tea can be added

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
230,842,743 (2023 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
2.53% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
federal presidential republic

Capital
name: Abuja

Economy
Economic overview
one of the largest West African economies; oil-dependent exports, revenues, and credit; COVID-19 and oil price shocks have resulted in slowing growth, high inflation, increasing unemployment; frequent disruptions due to political instability, especially in the north

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.05 trillion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$4,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts, fruit, sweet potatoes

Industries
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

Exports
$50.856 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
India 16%, Spain 10%, United States 7%, France 7%, Netherlands 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, scrap vessels, flexible metal tubing, cocoa beans (2019)

Imports
$66.107 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 30%, Netherlands 11%, United States 6%, Belgium 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, wheat, laboratory glassware, packaged medicines (2019)